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※Sick Building Syndrome
Sick building syndrome is an allergic
reaction to indoor chemicals. The presence
of chemicals such as formaldehyde indoors
can cause symptoms such as coughing,
itchy skin, and fever.
Do you know the formaldehyde?
Formaldehyde substance is included in pressed-wood products, such as
particleboard, plywood, fiberboard, glues and adhesives components of wood.
There is an essential component to ensure water resistance and toughness. It is
used a lot in many products, such as building materials and wooden furniture.
However, formaldehyde is categorised as a carcinogen by IARC. Particularly
recognized as a substance that causes cancer and leukemia. It also increases the
risks to our health, such as sick building syndrome*1 and chemical sensitivity.
IARC: International Agency for Research on Cancer
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Current situation of formaldehyde emission
WHO established the indoor air quality guideline
that the formaldehyde exposure limit is up to
0.1mg (100㎍)/㎥=（0.08ppm）for indoors.
*Under our market survey
WHO Guidelines for
Formaldehyde
※
1: The lowest concentration
reported to cause sensory
irritation of the eyes in humans is
0.36mg
(360 μg) /㎥
for four hours.
※
2: 30-minute intervals during a
day in a room with a concentration
of 0.1mg
(100 μg) /m3
100㎍/㎥
748㎍/㎥
370㎍/㎥290㎍/㎥
233㎍/㎥
120㎍/㎥
37㎍/㎥
Formaldehyde level at indoor
Reference: WHO guidelines for indoor air
quality: selected pollutants, Page xvii
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789289002134
※1
※2
However, there are lots of countries that can not reach this regulation level.
800ug
700ug
600ug
500ug
400ug
300ug
200ug
100ug
0ug
Data not found
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History of human damage caused by formaldehyde
The potential health impact of low-level ambient formaldehyde gas has been
historically overlooked.
For example, there is related ambient formaldehyde gas in 5,325,585 deaths in
275 Chinese local governments nationwide between 2013 and 2018.
Reference: Ambient formaldehyde and mortality: A time series analysis in China
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.abm4097
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Hidden Formaldehyde in home
Reference: Los Angeles County Department of Public Health/Indoor Air Quality http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/eh/safety/indoor-air-quality.htm
Photo Courtesy of EPA
The air inside of homes and
buildings is often more polluted
than outdoor air with levels of
certain chemicals being many
times higher than they are
outside. There's little doubt,
inhaling these pollutants isn't
good for your health and, in
some cases, it’s outright
dangerous.
Formaldehyde gas is emitted by building materials such as particleboard, fiberboard,
and plywood, as well as from combustible materials such as cigarettes and fireplaces.
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Formaldehyde measure is necessary
2023 Vietnam
The content of
formaldehyde in wood glue
does not exceed 1.4wt%.
2024 Malaysia
In2019, MTIB* issued the draft
legislation already.
Plywood, Particle board, Fiber
board :E1 ,E0 or Super E0
*MTIB: Malaysia Timber Industry Board
Governments in each country are beginning to regulate
the amount of formaldehyde used and emissions.
These regulations are predicted to become more
stringent in the future in the world.
2020 China
0.088mg/㎥Indoor
formaldehyde level
Starting August 6, 2026, by EU
On July 17, 2023, the EU issued the
regulation to regulate formaldehyde
and formaldehyde-releasing
substances in articles. The emission
level should be under 0.062mg/㎥.
2003 Japan
0.1mg/㎥Indoor
formaldehyde level
India
IPIRTI*1 is requesting BIS
standardization.
Many panel manufacturers use
CARB*2 standards to standardize
formaldehyde emissions from their
products to ensure user safety.
※1, Indian Plywood Industries Research and Training Institute
※2, California Air Resources Board in the USA
USA emission regulation
2016.6: 0.062 -0.14mg
2019.3.: Import goods
2024.3: laminate goods
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Who will do what?
Measures to prevent formaldehyde emissions
must be taken by companies that manufacture
particleboard, plywood, fiberboard and process
wood products such as furniture and interior
design companies.
There are two ways to reduce
formaldehyde emissions.
1. Use of formaldehyde-free adhesives
Advantages: Emissions ratio is reduced to the minimum.
Disadvantage: Decreased durability.
Requires re-examination of certification.
2. Use of formaldehyde remover
Advantage: Easily reduces formaldehyde emissions.
Disadvantages: Increased production process.
It may not be sustainable.
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Companies that cannot reduce the amount of
formaldehyde emission will be weeded out.
Get a chance or lose an opportunity?
Trend of formaldehyde standard
in wood market.
US standard: Carb-P2
European standard : E1,E2
More stringent standard, such as
F☆☆☆☆, Super E0 or other new
Stricter regulations may be
issued.
Present Near future
But we have this problem solution.