Committee on the Environment

I'm looking for guidance / resource on the specific rate of decay on the off-gassing of formaldehyde in cabinetry substrates.
In a project I am involved in, although we had specified "formaldehyde-free substrates" (i.e. NAF or No Added Formaldehyde), we recently discovered that cabinetry, installed six months ago, was made of particleboard with 0.18ppm formaldehyde emissions (legally acceptable level in California, but not what was specified).

I'd like to research whether after six months the emissions have plateaued, or whether emissions continue and warrant replacement with the materials specified.

Please let me know if you have any resources or guidance on this matter.

Thank you!

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Therese Kelly AIA
Principle
Therese Kelly Architecture and Urban Design
Santa Monica CA
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The following reports seem to address your primary question, but are from in industry source:
http://www.ecobind.com/research/Longterm_Particleboard_Emission_Decay_Study.pdf
http://www.ecobind.com/research/Decay_or_Decrease_in_Emissions.pdf

Here are a few general resources:

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/725.pdf  Plain language discussion.

http://formaldehydefacts.org/_base/pdf/fact_sheets/11_01_07-FormadehydeFactsandBackgroundInformation.pdf  This is the viewpoint of the formaldehyde industry.

http://www.ewp.asn.au/library/downloads/ewpaa_formaldehyde_facts.pdf  This is a fact sheet provided by a plywood industry group.

http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/roc/twelfth/2009/november/formaldehyde_bd_final.pdf  This is the definitive report from the National Institutes of Health, focusing on formaldehyde as a carcinogen.
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David Schele AIA
Felder Group Architects Inc
Austin TX
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One of the only actual technical papers I have found on emmission rates of formaldehyde is this one, however, it is on mineral wool and fiberglass not particle board.  The references are a bit old, but there is a scarcity of info.  I have found, however, that the air changes per hour are a big factor (big surprise) in the build up of all VOC's.  So, really, if you have good ventilation, there is probably less of a concern.  of course any amounts of formaldehyde are cause for concern.

http://www.eurofins.com/media/18342/formaldehyde_emissions_from_mineral_wool_in_building_constructions_1086.pdf

and

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=state%20of%20the%20art%20%20report%20healthy%20air&source=web&cd=4&ved=0CDEQFjAD&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthy-air.org%2F_root%2Fmedia%2F31514_HealthyAir-workshop1-report.pdf&ei=nuuaT97xEeeWiAKkvbXrDg&usg=AFQjCNHoZxqIXKAGzu_YMqwu28fHIm72Rw


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Leonard Sciarra AIA
Architect
Gensler
Chicago IL
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-24-2012 14:19
From: David Schele
Subject: formaldehyde emissions

The following reports seem to address your primary question, but are from in industry source:
http://www.ecobind.com/research/Longterm_Particleboard_Emission_Decay_Study.pdf
http://www.ecobind.com/research/Decay_or_Decrease_in_Emissions.pdf

Here are a few general resources:

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/725.pdf  Plain language discussion.

http://formaldehydefacts.org/_base/pdf/fact_sheets/11_01_07-FormadehydeFactsandBackgroundInformation.pdf  This is the viewpoint of the formaldehyde industry.

http://www.ewp.asn.au/library/downloads/ewpaa_formaldehyde_facts.pdf  This is a fact sheet provided by a plywood industry group.

http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/roc/twelfth/2009/november/formaldehyde_bd_final.pdf  This is the definitive report from the National Institutes of Health, focusing on formaldehyde as a carcinogen.
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David Schele AIA
Felder Group Architects Inc
Austin TX
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