Inexpensive perfluorocarbon tracer technique for wide-scale infiltration measurements in homes

A perfluorocarbon tracer technique to determine infiltration rates in homes is described. A tracer kit, coined the Brookhaven National Laboratory Air Infiltration Measurement System, which can be deployed by the average homeowner, is briefly described. The tracer source is a fluoroelastomer plug impregnated with a known mass of perfluorocarbon tracers (PFT) and crimped within a metal shell. The PFT diffuses from the end of the plug. Two samplers briefly described are: the capillary adsorption tube sampler (CATS) and the programmable Brookhaven Atmospheric Tracer Sampler (BATS). Deployment of one of the diffusion sources in a home and use of a BATS unit to measure the increase in the tracer concentration perfluorodimethylcyclohexane (PDCH) are discussed. Results of the tests are presented. (MCW)