Source emission and model evaluation of formaldehyde from composite and solid wood furniture in a full-scale chamber

• Published in: Atmospheric environment (1994) Vol. 122; pp. 561 - 568
• Main Authors: Liu, Xiaoyu, Mason, Mark A., Guo, Zhishi, Krebs, Kenneth A., Roache, Nancy F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2015
• Subjects: Emissions from furnishings; First-order decay model; Formaldehyde; Full-scale chamber; Power-law decay model; Source emission model; Source emission model; First-order decay model; Emissions from furnishings; Full-scale chamber; Formaldehyde; Power-law decay model
• ISSN: 1352-2310; 1873-2844
• DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2015.09.062

This paper describes the measurement and model evaluation of formaldehyde source emissions from composite and solid wood furniture in a full-scale chamber at different ventilation rates for up to 4000 h using ASTM D 6670-01 (2007). Tests were performed on four types of furniture constructed of different materials and from different manufacturers. The data were used to evaluate two empirical emission models, i.e., a first-order and power-law decay model. The experimental results showed that some furniture tested in this study, made only of solid wood and with less surface area, had low formaldehyde source emissions. The effect of ventilation rate on formaldehyde emissions was also examined. Model simulation results indicated that the power-law decay model showed better agreement than the first-order decay model for the data collected from the tests, especially for long-term emissions. This research was limited to a laboratory study with only four types of furniture products tested. It was not intended to comprehensively test or compare the large number of furniture products available in the market place. Therefore, care should be taken when applying the test results to real-world scenarios. Also, it was beyond the scope of this study to link the emissions to human exposure and potential health risks. •HCHO emissions were measured from different furniture in a full-scale chamber.•The effect of ventilation rate on formaldehyde emissions was studied.•The power-law decay model fits the data better than the first-order decay model.•Experimental data and model parameters are needed for emission models.