Accredited VOC Emissions / Gas Testing Services

Materials Analytical Services, LLC (MAS) provides comprehensive volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and aldehyde emissions testing for furniture manufacturers, building material suppliers, and facility managers. Our A2LA-accredfited laboratory utilizes environmental chambers, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to measure emissions and verify compliance with indoor air quality standards.

With ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation (Certificate Number 2925.01), MAS delivers emissions testing results recognized by green building certification programs, regulatory agencies, and procurement specifications worldwide.

Understanding VOCs and Indoor Air Quality

Volatile organic compounds are carbon-based chemicals that easily evaporate at room temperature, releasing gases from products into indoor environments. These emissions affect indoor air quality and can impact occupant health, comfort, and productivity.

Common VOC Sources in Indoor Environments:

• Furniture and office furnishings
• Building materials and finishes
• Flooring, carpeting, and underlayments
• Wall coverings and ceiling materials
• Paints, coatings, and adhesives
• Thermal and acoustic insulation products
• Composite wood products

Health and Environmental Considerations:

• Eye, nose, and throat irritation
• Headaches and dizziness
• Respiratory effects and asthma triggers
• Long-term exposure health concerns
• Contribution to poor indoor air quality
• Impact on LEED and green building certifications

Emissions testing verifies that products meet low-emitting material standards, supporting healthy indoor environments and green building goals.

MAS A2LA-Accredited Emissions Testing Capabilities

Materials Analytical Services maintains American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) certification under ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standards for VOC and aldehyde emissions testing (Certificate Number 2925.01).

Furniture Emissions Testing - BIFMA M7.1

Accredited Testing: Sampling and Analysis of Volatile Organic Compounds and Aldehyde Emissions of Furniture using Sampling Chambers, GC-MS, and HPLC according to Test Method BIFMA M7.1.

Applications:

• Office workstations (private and open plan)
• Individual office furniture components
• Office seating and task chairs
• Educational seating and classroom furniture
• Educational desks and workstations
• Dormitory and residential furniture
• Miscellaneous furniture categories

Analytes Tested: Our A2LA scope includes comprehensive analyte lists covering VOCs and aldehydes specified in BIFMA M7.1 (see certificate for complete analyte list).

Standards Supported:

• ANSI/BIFMA e3 Sustainability Standard Sections 7.6.1, 7.6.2, and 7.6.3
• ANSI/BIFMA M7.1 Test Method for Determining VOC Emissions
• ANSI/BIFMA X7.1 Standard for Formaldehyde and TVOC Emissions

Building Materials Emissions Testing - CDPH Standard Method 01350

Accredited Testing: Sampling and Analysis of Volatile Organic Compounds and Aldehyde Emissions of Building Materials using Sampling Chambers, GC-MS, and HPLC according to California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Standard Method 01350.

Materials Tested:

• Interior flooring, carpet, rugs, and underlayments
• Wall coverings and wallboard
• Ceiling materials and ceiling tiles
• Thermal insulation products
• Acoustic insulation and sound control materials
• Fabric and textile building materials
• Composite materials and panels

Analytes Tested: Our A2LA scope includes comprehensive analyte lists covering VOCs and aldehydes specified in CDPH Standard Method 01350 (see certificate for complete analyte list).

Standards Supported:

• California Department of Public Health Standard Method V1.2
• Section 01350 Specification
• LEED v4 Low-Emitting Materials credit requirements
• CHPS (Collaborative for High Performance Schools) criteria
• WELL Building Standard materials requirements

LEED Certification Support

VOC emissions testing directly supports LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification:

LEED v4 Low-Emitting Materials Credit:

• Interior adhesives and sealants
• Paints and coatings
• Flooring systems
• Composite wood products
• Furniture and furnishings
• Ceiling and wall systems

Testing Requirements:

• Products must be tested per approved methods (BIFMA M7.1, CDPH 01350, others)
• Emissions must meet standard thresholds
• Third-party testing from accredited laboratories
• Documentation suitable for LEED submittals

MAS Support for LEED Projects:

• A2LA ISO 17025 accredited testing accepted for LEED
• Testing per recognized methods (BIFMA M7.1, CDPH 01350)
• Reports formatted for LEED documentation requirements
• Technical support for material selection and specification

Our emissions testing helps architects, contractors, and building owners achieve LEED certification goals.

Emissions Testing for Product Development

Manufacturers benefit from integrating emissions testing into product development:

• Material Selection: Test raw materials, adhesives, and finishes before finalizing formulations and suppliers.
• Prototype Testing: Verify emissions performance during design phases before committing to production tooling.
• Formulation Optimization: Test alternative materials and adhesives to achieve low-emitting product goals.
• Production Verification: Periodic testing confirms consistent emissions performance across manufacturing batches.
• Competitive Positioning: Demonstrate emissions performance through independent third-party testing.
• Multi-Standard Compliance: Test products to meet various green building standards and procurement specifications.

Early emissions testing identifies issues when design changes are most practical and cost-effective.

Products Requiring VOC Emissions Testing

Office Furniture:

• Workstations and systems furniture
• Desks, tables, and conference tables
• Office seating (task chairs, executive chairs, side chairs)
• Storage units and filing cabinets
• Panel systems and dividers

Educational Furniture:

• Classroom desks and tables
• Student seating
• Library furniture
• Dormitory furniture
• Cafeteria and multipurpose furniture

Healthcare Furniture:

• Patient room furniture
• Waiting area seating
• Nurse stations and casework
• Dormitory-style residential furniture

Building Materials:

• Flooring systems (vinyl, laminate, carpet, engineered wood)
• Carpet and area rugs
• Carpet cushion and underlayment
• Ceiling tiles and grid systems
• Wall coverings and panels
• Wallboard and gypsum products
• Insulation materials (thermal and acoustic)
• Fabric and textile products

Interior Finishes:

• Paints and coatings
• Adhesives and sealants
• Caulks and gap fillers
• Composite wood products

The MAS VOC Emissions Testing Process

1. Project Consultation: Discuss product type, target standards (BIFMA, CDPH, LEED), and project timeline with our technical team.

2. Sample Requirements: Determine sample size, conditioning needs, and shipping instructions for your specific product.

3. Sample Receipt and Conditioning: Products are received, documented, and conditioned per standard protocols before chamber loading.

4. Chamber Testing: Samples are placed in environmental chambers under controlled conditions with specified air exchange rates.

5. Emissions Collection: VOC and aldehyde samples are collected at prescribed intervals (typically 24 hours, 168 hours, 336 hours).

6. Analytical Testing:

• GC-MS analysis for volatile organic compounds
• HPLC analysis for formaldehyde and aldehydes
• Quality control samples verify analytical accuracy

7. Data Analysis: Results are calculated, compared to standard requirements, and evaluated for compliance.

8. Comprehensive Reporting: Receive detailed test reports including:

• Individual VOC concentrations
• Total VOC (TVOC) calculations
• Formaldehyde and aldehyde results
• Pass/fail determination against specified standards
• Chamber conditions and testing parameters
• Quality control data
• A2LA accreditation references

9. Certification Support: Reports formatted for LEED submittals, specification requirements, and certification applications.

Typical turnaround time is 3-4 weeks for complete chamber testing, depending on standard requirements and sampling intervals.

Industrial Hygiene Air Monitoring

Beyond product emissions, MAS provides workplace air quality testing through AIHA Laboratory Accreditation Programs, LLC (Laboratory ID: 100655):

Ammonia in Air: Ion Chromatography per NIOSH 6016 for workplace ammonia monitoring in industrial facilities, manufacturing operations, and agricultural settings.

Gas Chromatography Air Monitoring:

• GC/FID (Flame Ionization Detector) for hydrocarbon monitoring
• GC/ECD (Electron Capture Detector) for halogenated compound detection
• Diffusive sampler analysis for passive monitoring

Workplace Applications:

• Manufacturing facility air quality
• Industrial hygiene compliance monitoring
• Occupational exposure assessment
• Ventilation system verification
• Indoor air quality investigations

Our AIHA accreditation demonstrates competence in industrial hygiene and occupational health testing.

Why Choose Materials Analytical Services for VOC Emissions Testing?

• A2LA ISO 17025 Accreditation: Certificate Number 2925.01 confirms our laboratory meets international standards for technical competence and quality management, providing globally recognized emissions testing results.
• Comprehensive Accredited Scope: Testing per BIFMA M7.1 and CDPH Standard Method 01350 with extensive analyte lists supporting complete emissions characterization.
• Environmental Chamber Capability: Dedicated emission testing chambers with precise environmental controls meeting standard requirements.
• Advanced Analytical Instrumentation: GC-MS and HPLC systems optimized for VOC and aldehyde analysis with sensitivity meeting standard detection requirements.
• Green Building Expertise: Deep understanding of LEED requirements, BIFMA standards, CDPH methods, and green building certification programs.
• AIHA Accreditation: Additional accreditation (Laboratory ID: 100655) for industrial hygiene and workplace air monitoring applications.
• Multiple Product Categories: Experience testing furniture, building materials, flooring, insulation, and diverse interior products.
• Technical Support: Knowledgeable staff available to discuss testing strategies, standard requirements, and results interpretation.
• Efficient Operations: Coordinated chamber scheduling and analytical testing delivering results within project timelines.
• LEED Documentation: Reports formatted for LEED credit documentation and green building certification submittals.

Emissions Testing for Manufacturer Sustainability Programs

VOC emissions testing supports broader sustainability initiatives:

• Product Environmental Claims: Independent third-party testing validates "low-VOC," "low-emitting," and "environmentally preferred" product claims.
• Health Product Declarations (HPD): Emissions data contributes to comprehensive product transparency documentation.
• Environmental Product Declarations (EPD): VOC emissions represent one component of lifecycle environmental assessment.
• Transparency Catalogs: Emissions testing data supports mindful MATERIALS, Declare labels, and other transparency programs.
• Corporate Sustainability Goals: Demonstrate commitment to healthy products and indoor environmental quality.
• Competitive Differentiation: Third-party verified emissions performance distinguishes products in green building markets.
• Regulatory Preparedness: Proactive testing addresses potential future regulations regarding product emissions.

MAS emissions testing provides the credible, accredited data needed for sustainability communications and certifications.

VOC Content vs. VOC Emissions Testing

Understanding the distinction between content and emissions testing is important:

• VOC Content Testing: Measures the amount of volatile organic compounds in a product formulation (typically for paints, coatings, adhesives). Expressed as grams per liter (g/L) or grams per kilogram (g/kg). Relevant for California Air Resources Board (CARB) and South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) regulations.
• VOC Emissions Testing: Measures the rate at which VOCs are released from products into indoor air. Expressed as concentration in air (μg/m³) or emission rate (mg/m²·hr). Relevant for green building standards, indoor air quality, and occupant health.
• Different Testing Needs:
• Liquid-applied products (paints, adhesives) typically require VOC content testing
• Furniture and building materials require VOC emissions testing
• Some products may need both types of testing for comprehensive compliance

MAS specializes in emissions testing for furniture and building materials. Contact us to discuss which testing approach your products require.

Ammonia Testing in Air

MAS provides accredited ammonia air monitoring through AIHA Laboratory Accreditation:

• Method: Ion Chromatography per NIOSH 6016
• Applications:
• Industrial facilities with ammonia processes
• Refrigeration system operations
• Agricultural and animal husbandry facilities
• Wastewater treatment plants
• Manufacturing operations
• Occupational exposure monitoring
• Sample Collection: Personal breathing zone samples or area samples collected on solid sorbent tubes or bubblers.
• Analytical Process: Samples are desorbed and analyzed by ion chromatography with conductivity detection.
• Reporting: Ammonia concentration in parts per million (ppm) or milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m³), compared to OSHA permissible exposure limits.

Our AIHA accreditation (Laboratory ID: 100655) demonstrates competence in occupational hygiene air monitoring.

Support Your Green Building Projects

VOC and aldehyde emissions testing represents a critical component of sustainable building design and healthy indoor environments. Whether you manufacture furniture, produce building materials, or specify products for green building projects, Materials Analytical Services provides the accredited emissions testing necessary for LEED certification, BIFMA compliance, and CDPH Standard Method 01350 verification.

Our A2LA ISO 17025-accredited laboratory combines environmental chamber testing capabilities with advanced GC-MS and HPLC analytical instrumentation to deliver reliable emissions data architects, manufacturers, and facility managers trust.

Contact Materials Analytical Services today to discuss your VOC emissions testing needs. Visit https://mastest.com or call our laboratory to speak with an emissions testing specialist about your specific products, standards, and project requirements.