| Abstract | Sink effect describes the sorption and desorption (re-emission) phenomena of indoor air pollutants on the interior surfaces of building materials and furnishings. These indoor air pollutants include many volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which have a wide range of physicochemical characteristics (e.g., vapor pressure, boiling point, and diffusion properties). Studies have shown that the re-emissions of adsorbed organic vapors, the so called sink effect, can contribute to elevated concentrations of VOCs in the indoor environment (Korte and Gevefugi, 1987 and Nielsen, 1987). It has been noted that the sink effect of most building materials can last for a long period and even for the entire service life of a building (Nielsen, 1987). The building materials include floors (particularly carpets and rugs), walls, ceilings, HVAC systems, and furnishings. |
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