Greenfacts: Indoor Air Quality and Formaldehyde

Written by Bryan Zolfo, Ovation Cabinetry

According to the U.S. EPA, concentrations of many Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) are consistently higher indoors (up to ten times higher) than outdoors. Formaldehyde is considered to be a VOC by the EPA.

The most significant sources of formaldehyde in homes are likely to be pressed wood products made using adhesives that contain urea-formaldehyde (UF) resins. Pressed wood products made for indoor use include: particleboard (used as sub-flooring and shelving and in cabinetry and furniture); hardwood plywood paneling (used for decorative wall covering and used in cabinets and furniture); and medium density fiberboard (used for drawer fronts, cabinets, and furniture tops). Medium density fiberboard (MDF) contains a higher resin-to-wood ratio than any other UF pressed wood product and is generally recognized as being the highest formaldehyde-emitting pressed wood product. The rate at which formaldehyde is released into the environment is accelerated by heat and may also depend somewhat on the humidity level.

Since formaldehyde occurs naturally in all wood products, there is no such thing as “formaldehyde free” MDF, particle board or plywood. There are, however, No Added Urea Formaldehyde or “NAUF” plywood, particle board and MDF products available for use in cabinet construction. Ask your Drury Design designer which companies offer NAUF or other low formaldehyde certified components in their products.

Please let us know if you would like to know more about our green cabinetry and other green and sustainable material options.