A groundbreaking new method using minerals in particleboard could significantly reduce formaldehyde emissions indoors.
Formaldehyde, one of the many VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that have been classified as dangerous to human health by organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), can be found in the adhesives that are commonly used for gluing particleboard. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), pressed wood products that use adhesives with urea-formaldehyde (UF) resins are one of the most significant sources of formaldehyde in homes.
Formaldehyde emissions reduced
According to an article published in January 2011 on the website ScienceDaily, researchers in Germany have developed a new method using mineral compounds with zeolites that were modified with amino groups to boost adsorption rates. When they put the zeolite powder into the sample particleboard, they measured a reduction in formaldehyde emissions of 40 percent in both long-term and short-term tests.
This technology could potentially reduce indoor air pollutant levels, the researchers say.
Air purifiers with carbon filter remove VOCs from the air
The development of the mineral compound method is great news for the improvement of indoor air, but until it is commercialized and available for builders and contractors, it’s up to powerful air purifiers with highly adsorbent activated carbon to remove VOCs such as formaldehyde from the air.
Electrocorp offers a wide range of commercial and industrial air purifiers, and if you are looking for powerful air filtration units for the home or office, check out AllerAir’s assortment of units.
Until this new product proves it's ability to continue to absorb formaldehyde for a century, it would be much wiser to use other new products introduce in the past couple of years that don't use any formaldehyde.
ReplyDeleteAlthough activated carbon does remove VOC's including formaldehyde from the air it turns out that formaldehyde is a difficult chemical to retain. Formaldehyde is often re-released back into the air. I have tested a half dozen air filters that specifically claim to capture formaldehyde. None of the residential filters had any noticeable impact on the formaldehyde concentration and only one commercial filter worked and worked very well.
It is true that people should try to avoid using materials that will release chemicals into the air. But if formaldehyde is a concern, a deep bed of activated carbon with a large internal surface area is the best way to remove airborne chemicals. Of course, there are differences when it comes to carbon blends.
ReplyDeleteAccording to a study by researchers in Thailand, "it seemed that the adsorption capacity of formaldehyde on activated carbon depended on both physical and chemical properties of activated carbons."
The best idea is to talk to the manufacturers directly.