Question

Concerned about indoor air quality, a renovation project used a low VOC primer containing ethylene glycol (EG). EG is a slow-evaporating solvent. Considering the curing time for the primer is 2-4 weeks, how long will EG take to evaporate, and is there a risk of ongoing exposure after the curing period?

a.Ethylene glycol evaporates quickly, and exposure risks diminish significantly after the curing period.
b.Ethylene glycol has a prolonged evaporation process, and exposure might persist beyond the typical curing time.
c.The slow evaporation of ethylene glycol poses minimal risks, and exposure is negligible once the primer cures.
d.Ethylene glycol exposure remains constant, and its slow evaporation suggests an ongoing risk even after the curing period.

Answer 1

Ethylene glycol has a slow evaporation rate and therefore, can pose ongoing exposure risks beyond the typical primer curing time of 2-4 weeks, potentially affecting indoor air quality and health (c).

Step-by-step explanation:

Ethylene glycol (EG), a common solvent in primers, has a prolonged evaporation process, which raises concerns about indoor air quality during and after renovation projects.

Due to its properties, ethylene glycol will not evaporate quickly, and its presence can persist for a duration that may extend beyond the curing time of the primer, which is 2-4 weeks. As a toxic substance, ongoing exposure to ethylene glycol after the curing period is a legitimate concern, with the potential for adverse health effects if sufficient ventilation or other measures to remove the substance are not in place.