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Formaldyhyde
Formaldehyde
or HCHO is a basic chemical compound consisting of
carbon, hydrogen and oxygen in form of colourless
chemical gas. It can vapor under the normal
conditions in which we all live. It is found
everywhere. It is produced naturally by plants, by
animals and even by humans. Formaldehyde exist
literally in most of your everyday things like; the
fruits in your basket, the vegetables in your plate,
your cooking oil, shampoo, gas stoves, heaters,
lipstick, clothing, toilet paper, disinfectants,
fertilizers, vaccines. The list is endless.
Formaldyhyde can
cause smell, and pungent odour at high concentration. Formaldehyde
is both a naturally occurring chemical, and an industrial
chemical (synthesized by the catalytic oxidation of methanol).
Formaldehyde effects to health
There is enough evidence that formaldyhyde can cause short-term
discomfort of minor burns/skin irritation, and chronic effects from a
lifetime overexposure. External contact with
Formaldehyde can cause short-term irritation to skin, eyes and mucous
membranes. Inhalation of formaldehyde gas or vapors
can induce coughing, nausea, violent vomiting, diarrhea,
laryngitis. Breathing in high concentrations of
formaldehyde can result in convulsions, coma, death.
There are also long-term exposure affects from high levels of
formaldehyde, which may not appear immediately, but can cause serious
problems over time. Formaldehyde is a suspected
carcinogen, mutagen and teratogen (cancer causers), and also a chronic
toxin.
The International
Agency for Research of Cancer has classified formaldehyde as a probable
human cancer causing substance. This means that while there
is sufficient evidence to indicate that formaldehyde at high
concentration causes nasal cancer in experimental animals, the evidence
in human beings is deemed not adequate.
Formaldyhyde emission standard
for E1, E2 and E3
The European Panel
Industry started the formaldehyde emission rating with following:
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European
Emission Rating
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Formaldehyde
Emission
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E1
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9mg/100g and below
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E2
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>9mg/100g to below
30mg/100g
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E3
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>30mg/100g
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Subsequently, the formaldehyde
emission ratings is replaced with
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European
Emission Class
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Formaldehyde
Emission
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Class A
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9mg/100 g and below
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Class B
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>9mg/100g to below
39mg/100g
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The objective of the new
classification is to phase out panels with formaldehyde emission more
than 39mg/100g or basically what was previous termed as E3 Type MDF.
Standard for
E0
The latest development in
the industry is the demand for lower formaldehyde emission. To
accommodate the trend an E0 rating was created based on the following
criteria:
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Emission
Type
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Formaldehyde
Emission
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E0
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0.5mg/liter and below
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It is also important to note the
results of formaldehyde emission test may differ if different methods
are being used.
The European standards
adopted the Perforator Test Method which actually measures the
formaldehyde content inside the specimen (MDF). Naturally, the results
would be higher than if actual emission is measured.
The Japanese
Industrial Standards favor the Desiccator Test Method which
measures the actual formaldehyde emission released from the specimen
(MDF).
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