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The trap cloth pieces (approximately 3 cm 2 , n=4) were extracted by using dichloromethane following GC-MS as described (Markowicz and Larsson 2012). Decreased air concentrations of 2-ethylhexanol were found in the studied room whereas the concentrations of 2-ethylhexanol in the installed cloth rose from 0 (unused) to 280.3 µg/g after 13 months of use, corresponding to 1.03 percent of the adsorption capacity of the trap. 2-Ethylhexanol in indoor air is frequently related to chemical degradation of plasticizers in PVC flooring and/or the glue used to attach a PVC flooring on concrete (Björk et al. 2003). Such cases, where the concrete has not been enough dry when gluing or when moisture, in the absence of a moisture barrier, has been allowed to diffuse from the ground up to the floor, are common in Scandinavia (Norbäck et al. 2000). The odor problems in the studied school disappeared shortly (a few hours) after application of the device and the room could again be used as before the air quality complaints. In total, approximately 500 m 2 of the device was installed in the school building directly on the PVC flooring and subsequently covered by a laminate flooring. The surface emissions trap is able to efficiently stop or reduce a range of small and larger VOCs including alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, terpenes, aromatic hydrocarbons, sulfides (Markowicz and Larsson 2012, 2015), as well as formaldehyde (a common emission product from building materials used indoors) and 2-chloroanisole (from moist impregnated wood). The trap may represent a convenient, health-effective and environment-friendly way of improving IAQ when the problems are due to emissions from surfaces of the building. Because of its extremely low water vapor resistance it can be applied at any surface indoors (floor, ceiling, walls) without causing condensation (with risk of mold growth), and it will not affect the moisture balance of the building. Further studies should include an unbiased evaluation of the perceived air quality in buildings following installation of the device and if the device, due to its ability to reduce emissions, also will be useful for saving energy by allowing a lowered ventilation rate or a reduced need for conventional electricity-driven air cleaners while at the same time maintaining a satisfactory IAQ. Conclusions Emissions of VOCs (including odors) and particles from a surface indoors may be stopped efficiently by applying a sealant at the surface. In the present study, attaching a surface emissions trap on a PVC flooring in a school with air complaints led to a dramatic improvement in the perceived air quality and decreased VOCs air concentrations. The device may constitute a useful means of restoring the IAQ after water damage. References Björk F et al. (2003) Constr Build Mat 17: 213-221. Braun-Fahrländer C et al. (2002) N Engl J Med 347: 869-877. Fiedler N et al. (2005) Environ Health Perspect 113: 1542-1548. Markowicz P, Larsson L (2012) J Microbiol Methods 91: 290-294. Markowicz P, Larsson L (2015) Atmos Environ 106: 376-381. Michel O et al. (1996) Am J Respir Crit Care Med 154: 1641-1646. Milton D et al. (2001) Am J Respir Crit Care Med 163: 322-328. Norbäck D et al. (2000) Int J Tuberc Lung Dis 4: 1016-1025. Norbäck D et al. (2014) PlosOne 9: 1-10. Zhao Z et al. (2008) Ped Allerg Immunol 19: 455-465. Zhang X et al. (2011) Sci Total Environ 409: 5253-5259. IAQA 19th Annual Meeting The views and opinions herein are those of the volunteer authors and may not reflect the views and opinions of IAQA. The information is offered in good faith and believed to be reliable but it is provided without warranty, expressed or implied, as to the merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose or any other matter.

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