Building Science-to-Sales Translator

No Formaldehyde Pressed Wood

Technical Description

Formaldehyde is traditionally used as an ingredient in the adhesive or “binding agent” of composite wood products such as particleboard, plywood, medium density fiberboard (MDF), and oriented strand board (OSB). Elevated levels of formaldehyde, which becomes a gas at room temperature, can cause burning sensations in the eye, nose, and throat; nausea; and difficulty breathing. It can trigger attacks in people with asthma and at high levels of exposure may cause some types of cancers. Certified low/no formaldehyde board products help provide a healthy indoor environment by minimizing these emissions.

Disclaimer

This content is a work created with funding provided by the United States Department of Energy under Contract no DE-AC05-076RL01830 for the operation of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. The information and guidance provided by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in the content are intended solely for educational purposes only and do not constitute formal training or certification. It is provided with the explicit understanding that neither the United States Government nor the United States Department of Energy, nor the Contractor, nor any or their employees, nor any jurisdiction or organization that has cooperated in the development of these materials, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness or any information, apparatus, product, software, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof, or Battelle Memorial Institute. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof. Viewers assumes full responsibility for all actions that they may take from information provided in this content including ensuring the safety, code compliance, and proper functionality of any products they choose to install. Installation and use of such products should be performed in accordance with local regulations and manufacturer instructions.