Publication by the German Environment Agency, June 2024: Development of Certification Requirements for the Blue Angel Label regarding Flooring Products
Although pollutant emission levels are decreasing, the perceived intensity of odors in indoor environments is not. These odors can be unpleasant and negatively impact well-being and health. To assess the perceived odor intensity, the pi scale was used. It ranges from 1 pi (barely perceptible) to 6–7 pi (distinct odor) and > 13 pi (extremely strong odor). The provisional acceptability threshold of 7 pi after 28 days, as set by the Committee for Health-Related Evaluation of Building Products (AgBB), was met by the following products:
- 1 product out of 9 rubber floors
- 8 products out of 11 plastic floors
- 0 products out of 9 linoleum floors
- 4 products out of 6 vinyl floors
- 1 product out of 1 cork floor
- 6 products out of 9 wood floors
The smell of rubber and linoleum floors was often perceived as unpleasant. The project also revealed that, despite their strong odor, wood-based products often evoke a neutral to positive odor sensation, which is atypical for building products.
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The German approach to evaluate complaints about odour annoyance in indoor environments, 2024 (in English)