Isolation of formaldehyde from chipboard. Harmful substances in chipboard, chipboard, mdf. So, is chipboard furniture harmful?

Furniture forums are full of messages from outraged buyers complaining about the smell of new chipboard furniture, which has not disappeared “for a week now”; “harmful formaldehyde is to blame for everything,” say the most knowledgeable. Let's try to figure out what's going on.

Indeed, any New furniture retains industrial odors for some time after assembly. There is no escape from this. It is necessary to ventilate the room daily and do wet cleaning.

Now help:

“Formaldehyde in its pure form is officially recognized as a carcinogen – that is, a toxic substance that can cause cancer. It is a colorless and strongly smelling gas. Formaldehyde has an irritating effect on the respiratory organs (on the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, larynx), skin and central nervous system. Its high concentrations can cause asthma attacks.

Formaldehyde is used not only in the production of chipboard, but also in the production of paints and varnishes, plastics, adhesives, it is contained in many natural materials, in vehicle exhausts, and even in some food products. In high concentrations, evaporation is really extremely dangerous for human health.”

Of course, furniture made of chipboard (laminated chipboard) is budget-class furniture. Cost is the main advantage of this material. The pluses include a wide range of sizes, a wealth of choice exterior finish, ease of processing, shock and moisture resistance, high compressive and bending strength. Of the minuses - the inability to use various methods of figured processing, including milling and complex parts; undesirable use by allergy sufferers and people with respiratory diseases; sharp impact edges.

The basis of production is chipboard, which can be of various densities - single-layer, three-layer (on the outer layers, the fraction is smaller than inside) and multi-layer (the size of sawdust decreases in layers from the middle to the surfaces). The binding component of wood shavings in it is glue, which includes urea-formaldehyde or phenol-formaldehyde resins. Next, the plate is covered with laminate, and the ends are fed with melamine or PVC edge, which prevent the evaporation of harmful substances.

Furniture made of high-quality laminated chipboard practically does not smell. A slight smell of natural wood is possible.

In addition, the state and supervisory services impose high safety requirements on products widely used in everyday life and construction. Therefore, like any product, chipboard is labeled in accordance with the past selection and division into grades. The first category includes products that meet all the requirements for the quality of raw materials, resistance to stress, etc. Chipboard with lower parameters and defects on the front part already belongs to the second class and is most often sent to the construction industry.

Products from many leading Russian manufacturers Chipboard complies with European standards, and these enterprises are constantly working to improve environmental performance.

The safest material is considered to be class E-1 (up to 10 mg of formaldehyde per 100 g of absolutely dry wood board).

Data on the quality of the material used can be found in the hygiene certificate (certificate of quality that is attached to any furniture product) - the seller will provide it upon your request.

Material with a minimum value and all-round cladding can be used for the release of a children's or hospital environment.

• It is necessary to distinguish between the concepts of chipboard and chipboard. Chipboard is a plate hermetically sealed on all sides, the finish of which prevents the release of harmful substances. It is from it that economy-class furniture is made. Pay attention to the quality of the edge, the absence of chips and open areas of chipboard. After purchase, follow the recommendations that help preserve the protective layer of laminated chipboard: protect furniture from frequent and excessive moisture, maintain a certain level of moisture in the room for such furniture. temperature regime(within the range from -1 to +30 degrees Celsius), in case mechanical damage restore properties with wax.
• Formaldehyde is harmful in its pure form, and in the glue that is used in the manufacture of furniture, it is only integral part. So, everyone's favorite plastic used in everyday life, gives a greater amount of formaldehyde fumes.
• Formaldehyde is a gas and is only harmful in high concentrations. Under the influence of high (over +45) temperature, formaldehyde is activated, so you should not put furniture made of laminated chipboard close to heating appliances. And regular ventilation of the premises will save you from the problem of accumulation of fumes.

It turns out that the devil is not as scary as he is painted!

In any case, you should not save on your health and it is better to choose furniture from a higher quality laminated chipboard from a trusted manufacturer. In the salons of Spartak, a huge amount of just such furniture is presented - which has passed a tough competitive selection. Consultants will provide you with all necessary information about the properties and quality of furniture from our suppliers, and the prices, I am sure, will pleasantly surprise you. Happy shopping!

Chipboard is the most popular material in the production of modern cabinet furniture. To determine how harmful chipboard furniture can be, you need to know physical properties components. In the production of plates, synthetic additives of non-mineral origin are used. The general parameters of quality and technology for the manufacture of chipboard, plywood, MDF have been established. In the production process, wood waste and binders, glue based on urea or phenolic resins are used.

Signs of quality chipboard

The content of resins in the composition of chipboards is from 6 to 8%. During operation, the resins emit toxic compounds that pose a danger to human health. There are 2 classes of resin emission: E1 and E2. It is not allowed to manufacture products for children using elements of class E2.

Qualitative characteristics that you need to pay attention to: the presence of a pungent odor, compaction density, color, internal structure at the attachment points.

Products using chipboard are subject to mandatory certification in accordance with GOST R. Imported chipboard must have a package of documents: specification, passport, manufacturer's ISO 9001:2000 certificate, test reports, GOST R certificates. Domestic ones are certified according to technical specifications.

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Sanitary standards

The main harmful element in particle boards is resin. Sanitary standards allow the presence of formaldehyde not more than 10 mg per 100 g of dry matter for class E1, 30 mg for class E2, 60 mg for E3. Accordingly, the lower the amount of resin, the higher the quality of the furniture. European standards are more stringent and allow formaldehyde content of no more than 8 mg for class E1, no more than 6 mg for class E2.

The lower the resin content in the board, the higher its cost. The content of harmful substances in the amount of 10 mg is considered safe if all surfaces of the parts are treated with a film, edging material. Under the influence of heat, the evaporation of harmful substances in environment. Products for the home must be made using a material of class not lower than E1. When buying a product, ask the seller for documents confirming the quality class of the product.

The danger lies in the fact that resins emit harmful substances for 14 years, more intensively in the first 1.5 years. Therefore, furniture is recommended to be installed away from batteries and heating appliances. It is not recommended to insulate floors with the use of particle boards. MDF furniture is of higher quality and safer. As a binding element in such plates, paraffin and lignin are used, which are harmless to humans. MDF furniture includes more complex technological elements.

Everything today more people seeks to surround itself with natural environmentally friendly materials - wood, stone, glass and ceramics. For this reason, among consumers, there is a growing distrust of materials produced using modern technologies and synthetic components.

One such building material is chipboard or chipboard. There is a widespread belief that chipboard is dangerous to humans, as it releases toxic compounds into the atmosphere. This statement is supported by many buyers and some experts.

But is chipboard really harmful to human health and can this material cause diseases? To find the answer to this question, it is necessary to understand how chipboard is produced, where this material is used, and whether there are ways to reduce its toxicity to humans.

Chipboard properties

Chipboard is a building material made by hot pressing wood chips from different breeds tree. To give strength to given material synthetic resins are added, which securely glue the chips and help maintain the desired shape.

For the manufacture of chipboard, low-quality wood and waste from woodworking enterprises are used. To do this, they are crushed to the state of sawdust, then water-soluble urea-formaldehyde synthetic resins are added and slabs are formed.

High-quality particle boards are a fairly durable material, but they do not tolerate moisture well. To increase moisture resistance, they are covered with plastic, veneer or polymer film. These boards can be used in rooms with high level humidity, e.g. in the bathroom or in the kitchen.

For improvement appearance Chipboard is covered with paper that imitates various types of wood. These boards are widely used in the production of furniture, namely tables, beds, cabinets, shelves, office furniture and school desks.

Chipboard is often used for interior decoration walls, which allows you to get absolutely flat surface, on which all types of wallpaper and paints fit perfectly. And due to the high heat and sound insulating properties of chipboard, it helps to noticeably warm the room and protect it from extraneous sounds.

Perhaps the most significant advantage of chipboard over natural wood is its low price. The plates themselves and the furniture made from them have a much lower cost, which means they are available to people even with low incomes.

Unlike wood or plywood, chipboard does not dry out, does not delaminate, and does not tend to curl. They retain their original shape well, have a fairly high impact resistance and, with good density, can last for decades.

Positive chipboard properties:

1. Low price;
2. Completely flat surface
3. Durability, no tendency to dry out;
4. A wide variety of colors;
5. In the presence of a protective layer, high moisture resistance;
6. Good sound and heat insulation;
7. The widest area of ​​application.

Damage to chipboard

So why is chipboard dangerous for humans? The harmful properties of chipboard are associated with the peculiarities of its production, namely the use of urea-formaldehyde resin as a binder. It contains the highly toxic substance formaldehyde, which is extremely harmful to humans.

According to the results of numerous studies, formaldehyde has been officially recognized as the most dangerous carcinogen. This substance can cause allergies, irritation of the skin and mucous membranes of the eyes, inflammation of the respiratory tract, and with prolonged exposure, cancer.

But the main harm of phenol-formaldehyde resin is experienced by employees of chipboard enterprises, who are forced to use special means protection. In the finished chipboard, the formaldehyde content of the faucet is low and is not able to affect a person.

According to the norms adopted in Russia, the concentration of formaldehyde in chipboard should not exceed 10 mg. per 100 gr. dry mass. Such an amount of this substance is considered safe for people and, according to doctors, is not capable of provoking a deterioration in health.

In addition, uncoated chipboard is used only for finishing and repair work, during which this material will be covered with a layer of paint or wallpapered. In all other cases, particle boards always have a protective layer, including one that protects a person from formaldehyde fumes.

So furniture from chipboard is most often made from laminated particle boards (LDSP). This significantly increases its service life and does not allow formaldehyde to enter the atmosphere. At the same time, the ends of the boards are always closed with special edging material, which prevents wood chips impregnated with synthetic resin from coming into contact with air.

Such furniture can be used in any premises, including children's rooms. It is sometimes even safer than furniture made from certain types of wood, which can also emit harmful emissions.

Talk about danger modern chipboard- this is the same as discussing the question: is plywood harmful to humans? But it was recognized as completely safe for people.

How to choose furniture from chipboard

Many today prefer to buy furniture made of chipboard, since it is much cheaper than wood. But in order not to have to painfully regret the purchase made, you should know how to choose a quality bed, table or wardrobe from a huge variety of products.

It is important to remember that from chipboard, harm to health can only occur when using low-quality material. Therefore, when buying furniture, you should make sure that it fully complies with GOST and is produced without violations in technology.

You can ask the sales assistant about the quality of chipboard, or even better, ask him to provide all the necessary certificates for furniture. If they are not there, then you should refuse to purchase such products, since they can pose a real danger to humans.

Modern classification of chipboard:

• E1 - this marking means that the chipboard is of the highest quality and contains no more than 10 mg. formaldehyde per 100 gr. composite. On the territory of Russia and foreign countries from such material it is allowed to produce furniture for residential premises, including those where children will live;
• E2 - this marking indicates a low chipboard quality, therefore, products from it are prohibited to be placed in residential buildings and educational institutions for children.

To minimize possible harm from chipboard, do not place furniture made of this material close to the battery and other heat sources. The fact is that when the stove is heated, the release of formaldehyde increases significantly, which means that the danger to health also increases.

Sometimes immediately after purchase, furniture may have a sharp bad smell, which usually disappears completely after a few days. To do this, wipe it with a damp cloth and ventilate the room more often. If the smell does not decrease, you must return the product to the manufacturer or exchange it for other odorless furniture.

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Replacement natural materials man-made analogue has become a common practice for humans. The high cost of natural wood and its apparent shortage during the construction boom led engineers, chemists and technologists to create a similar material - chipboard.

Where and when did chipboard appear?

Few people know that the “birth” of chipboard might not have happened, since any sawdust in the first quarter of the 20th century in Europe they were used exclusively for the manufacture of briquettes for heating. Thus, these were wastes applicable only for heating the home.

But already in the 30s, the situation changed: work began on the manufacture of a composite building material from sawdust and an adhesive. At the same time, the first practical experiments appeared.

The new direction developed rapidly. During the Second World War, plywood was already used, but due to the shortage of building materials, its price increased sharply. The German Max Himmelheber from the beginning of the thirties actively experimented with wood-shaving composite, the experiments brought results. Inexpensive material was created, the technology was perfected, and in the 40s mass production of chipboard began in Germany.

There were no interruptions in raw materials: non-commercial wood and any waste from sawmills were suitable for production. Phenolic resins were used as binders, Himmelheber concluded that they were ideal for forming a strong composite board. Inexpensive and excellent technical specifications material became popular all over the world. Temporary housing is built from it, used for decoration of residential buildings and offices, and high-quality furniture is produced.

The ability to improve the individual qualities of particle boards has further expanded the scope of their application: moisture-resistant material is suitable for kitchen and bathroom, fire-resistant boards are also in demand.

Phenol-formaldehyde resin and health hazards

The first reaction of our ancestors to the achievements of chemists was the joy of the opportunity to use advanced technologies, the desire to quickly bring them to life. Subsequently, it turned out that some of the technologies not only made life easier, but also significantly shortened it. Therefore, today every product made by people is tested for toxicity and environmental safety.

• One of the substances, the attitude towards which is ambiguous, is phenol-formaldehyde resin. Being of great importance for industry (high strength, corrosion resistance), it has toxic components - phenol and formaldehyde. Employees of enterprises that produce products containing phenols and formaldehydes can receive the greatest damage from their exposure, provided that they do not use personal protective equipment. During curing in adhesive resins, oligomeric fragments are crosslinked with the participation of free phenol. As a result, the phenol content is reduced to trace amounts that allow sanitary norms RF.

As chipboard became ubiquitous, filling niches traditionally occupied by others building materials (wooden board, more expensive plywood, etc.), manufacturers losing the market, attracting environmentalists, began to publish materials that harm the reputation of chipboard manufacturers.

As time goes by, standards change and technology improves.

At a time when the dangers of phenols were not thought about, the percentage of their content in the adhesive mixture was higher than today. As awareness grew, so did the standards.

Today, there is hardly a house or office where chipboard is not used. This is due to its advantages:

• acceptable price;
• flat, smooth surfaces;
• strength, uniformity, the material does not delaminate, does not twist, does not dry out;
• the widest range of applications.

So, is chipboard furniture harmful?

The human body is exposed to many harmful factors every day: emissions industrial enterprises, tar and nicotine from cigarettes, car exhaust gases, electronic background, components household chemicals and cosmetics, etc. The least damage to a person is caused by the release of volatile resin components from furniture. Moreover, some types of wood evaporate harmful substances in the same amount as class E1 chipboard.

Rumors about the dangers of using high-quality chipboard are nothing more than speculation on consumer anxiety and the belief that everything created with the help of chemistry is harmful.

How to choose high-quality and safe material?

The key to maintaining health is the use of certified materials. Regardless of which type of chipboard is used, it is marked with which emission class for the release of free formaldehyde it belongs to:

• E1 - 100 grams of the composite emits no more than 10 mg of a volatile substance (formaldehyde content in chipboard within allowable rate). In Russia and abroad, it is allowed to make furniture for children's rooms and rooms where people are constantly located from this material;
• E2 - marking, which indicates the inadmissibility of the use of plates in children's and residential premises.