| The effects of cure time, cure temperature, and air circulation on the release of 4-phenylcyclohexene (4-PCH) in tufted carpet backed with carboxylated styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) latex were examined in this research project. 4-PCH is a suspect cause of certain "building-related" illnesses such as headache, upper respiratory and eye irritation, and fatigue. A standardized method for preparing carpet backed with SBR latex and analyzing its 4-PCH content was developed. The cure parameters investigated included three cure temperatures (225, 250 and 275°F), six cure times (0, 5, 10, 20, 40 and 60 minutes), and three air circulation rates (zero, three air exchanges per minute, and ten air exchanges per minute with 1500 linear feet per minute airflow). Increased airflow (1500 linear feet per minute) over the carpet surface produced the greatest impact on 4-PCH release from carpet. Increasing the cure temperature and cure time also significantly increased the release of 4-PCH. |
