What are the major sources of formaldehyde?
A…Particleboard is a major contributor of formaldehyde to the home environment. The culprit is the adhesive, urea formaldehyde, which can break down, releasing the formaldehyde. Pheno formaldehyde (used in external panels) does not present problems. Some particle board is now manufactured with reduced formaldehyde. Other sources include interior plywood, veneered or laminated furniture and cabinets, some professionally applied furniture and floor finishes, paneling, permanent press fabrics (some drapes), combustion products and cosmetics.
Sources in the home include building materials, smoking, household products and the use of unvented fuel-burning appliances like gas stoves or kerosene space heaters. It is used to add permanent press qualities to clothing and draperies, as a component of glues and adhesives, in cosmetics, in veneered or laminated furniture, as a preservative in some paints and coating products. In homes, the most significant source of formaldehyde are likely to be pressed wood products made using urea-formaldehyde (UF) resins. Pressed wood products made for indoor use include: particleboard used as a sub flooring and shelving, formica countertops and in cabinetry and furniture; hardwood plywood paneling used for decorative wall covering and used in cabinets and furniture; and medium density fiberboard used for drawer fronts, cabinets and furniture tops. Medium density fiberboard contains a higher resin-to-wood ratio than any other UF pressed wood product and is generally recognized as being the highes
Particle board is the major contributor of formaldehyde to the home environment. The culprit is the adhesive, urea formaldehyde, which can break down, releasing the formaldehyde. Phenol formaldehyde (used in exterior panels) does not present problems. Some particleboard is now manufactured with reduced formaldehyde. Other sources include interior plywood, veneered or laminated furniture and cabinets, some professionally applied furniture and floor finishes, paneling, permanent press fabrics (some drapes), combustion products and cosmetics.
