Evaluation of formaldehyde emission from different types of wood-based panels and flooring materials using different standard test methods

In this study, formaldehyde emission (FE) and content (FC) from different types of wood-based panels mainly; particleboard (PB), medium and high density fiberboard (MDF and HDF) and plywood (PLW) and flooring materials [HDF laminate, solid wood, solid bamboo and polyvinyl chloride (PVC)] were measured using different test methods namely; European small-scale chamber (EN 717-1), gas analysis (EN 717-2), the American small-scale chamber (ASTM D 6007-02), and the perforator (EN 120) methods. FE was affected with high significance by board type and thickness of PB (P < 0.0001), but there was no significant effect from the moisture content (MC %) of PB (P = 0.94) and PLW (P = 0.195). The corrected FC values measured EN 120 were declined when the MC % decreased. Furthermore, the liberation of formaldehyde was enhanced by the process of painting when 200 g/m2 oil-based paint was applied for MDF and HDF. There was a strong positive correlation among the four test methods (R2 values ranged between 0.88 and 0.94) concerning the formaldehyde values from PB-16 mm, and approximately the same indication of formaldehyde values, as well as similar behavior, were seen for each method. Moreover, the results indicate surprisingly that there was a good correlation between EN 120 and ASTM D 6007-02, with R2 values of 0.93. The measurements of FE from flooring panels were ranged between 0.003 and 0.125 mg/m3 and the PVC flooring with UV-curable layer only had emissions ranged between 0.003 and 0.008 mg/m3 as measured by EN 717-1. Values of the emittable formaldehyde concentrations from most of the products investigated in the present study were below the limits that are mandatory in the Czech Republic.

► Formaldehyde emission from different types of wood-based panels and floorings.
► Study the relationships among EN 717-1, EN 717-2, EN 120 and ASTM D 6007-02 methods.
► Great effect of laminate, painting and UV-curable layer on formaldehyde emission.
► Good positive correlations among the four test methods from particleboard with 16 mm.
► Surprisingly good correlation between EN 120 and ASTM D 6007-02 with R2 value of 0.93.