scope:

Purpose.

This test procedure is used for the qualitative and semi-quantitative determination of Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) and Semi-Volatile Organic Compound (SVOC/FOG) emissions in vehicle Interior Materials (IM) utilizing Thermal Desorption - Gas Chromatography/Mass Selective Detection (TD-GC/MSD). For material approvals total VOC/SVOC, and restricted compounds (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene (BTEX) and styrene) with a concentration ≥ 1 ppm must be measured using method A. Method B can be used to identify compounds not on the restricted substances list if required for problem solving purposes.

Individual VOC and SVOC emissions in different vehicle interior materials can be identified, semi-quantified, and compared.

"Total VOC" emissions are defined as compounds in the chromatographic elution range from the beginning of the chromatogram to the end of n-eicosane (n-C20).

"Total SVOC" or "FOG" are emissions that condense on a vehicle surface, e.g., glass, plastic lens, etc., at ambient temperature, and are defined as compounds in the chromatographic elution range from the beginning of n-hexadecane (n-C16) to the end of n-dotriacontane (n-C32).