Effect of Ventilation Rate and Board Loading on Formaldehyde Concentration: A Critical Review of the Literature

A critical literature review has been carried out on the influence of ventilation rate (N, hr.-1) and board loading (L, m2/m3) on steady state formaldehyde concentrations (Cs, ppm) resulting from particleboard and plywood emissions. Large differences exist among boards in the extent to which their formaldehyde concentrations change with N or L in laboratory chambers. Much of the concentration versus N and L data obtained from controlled chamber experiments can be described by a two-parameter equation involving the ratio N/L as the independent variable. Although this equation has a theoretical basis, it should be regarded as semi-empirical because of deviations beyond N/L = 8 m/hr. and because a true steady state cannot be maintained indefintely. Concentration versus N/L data for dwellings under controlled conditions are meager; more testing is needed before effects here can be quantified or chamber results reliably extrapolated to dwellings. More information is also needed regarding concentrations produced by mixed board products; at present those concentrations cannot be accurately predicted from individually measured values.

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