EN 717-1, a European standard, provides a test method for the determination of formaldehyde emission from wood-based panels in terms of steady-state concentration in a climate chamber under defined conditions, related to typical real-life conditions. In this test method, there are three different options for test chambers. This chamber method is also applied to the estimation of formaldehyde concentrations under various conditions in practice using mathematical models. This standard is also used for testing formaldehyde emissions of products other than wood-based panels.
During the tests, test pieces with known surface area are placed in a room where temperature, relative humidity, air velocity and exchange rate are controlled at specified values. Formaldehyde emitted from the test pieces mixes with the air in the room. The air in the room is sampled periodically. Formaldehyde concentration is determined by drawing air from scrubbing bottles containing water that absorbs formaldehyde. The formaldehyde concentration in the room atmosphere is calculated from the concentration in the water in the scrubbing bottles and the volume of air sampled and is expressed in milligrams per cubic metre. Sampling is continued periodically until the formaldehyde concentration in the chamber reaches a steady state. The effects of temperature, relative humidity, loading factor and air exchange rate on the formaldehyde concentration in the room atmosphere are calculated by calculations.
Formaldehyde is a chemical compound considered a carcinogen and is emitted from various wood-based panels. Formaldehyde, the simplest aldehyde, is colorless and detectable in the gas phase at ambient temperature. It is mainly used in the manufacture of industrial resins, adhesives and coatings. It has been classified as a carcinogen since 2016. Formaldehyde is seen as one of the most risky chemicals in the USA and European Union countries in terms of both exposure and toxicity.
The bottle method, which has been frequently used to assess formaldehyde emissions from wood panels to date, is quite poor in terms of compliance with the levels measured in emission test chambers. Therefore, the use of emission test chambers is becoming increasingly common.
Among the numerous test, measurement, analysis and evaluation studies it provides for businesses in various sectors, our organization also provides test services for the determination of formaldehyde release in wood-based panels, within the scope of EN 717-1 standard, with its trained and expert staff and advanced technological equipment.
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