A study of formaldehyde and other organic emissions from pressing of laboratory oriented strandboard

A laboratory method was developed for characterization of total volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from laboratory oriented strandboard (OSB) pressing, based on a specially constructed, enclosed caul system. Gaseous materials produced inside the enclosed caul during pressing were collected in a controlled air stream. VOCs and other condensables were removed from the air stream in an ice-packed trap, followed in series with an aqueous trap. VOC collection efficiency was determined to be greater than 90 percent. Formaldehyde was quantified by a modification of the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health Method 3500, a chromotropic acid method. Other VOCs were characterized and quantified by gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS). The quantity of formaldehyde present was found to respond to pressing conditions. Formaldehyde emissions increased with increasing press temperature, mat moisture content, resin treatment, resin free formaldehyde, and pressing time. Untreated aspen strands and resin-treated stands were studied separately. The major VOCs emitted from untreated wood were methanol, acetic acid, formaldehyde, hexanal, and hexanoic acid. These compounds were also the major VOC components from resin-treated wood, with the addition of phenol.

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