NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF FORMALDEHYDE RELEASE FROM FURNITURE MADE FROM WOOD

COMPOSITES ON HUMAN HEALTH

IZZAH AZIMAH BINTI NOH2012717865

HUMAN HEALTH• Healthiness level of living organism at normal and good

condition(P.Grad, 1946) .• A healthy mind and healthy body give normal connection

condition in human social welfare. • Human healthiness is rate of health of human body, mind

or mental and other. A healthy lifestyle could reduce the risk of any disease or illness(Anspaugh et. al, 2009).

FACTOR AFFECTING HUMAN HEALTH

FACTORS

CLIMATE CHANGES

POLLUTION

PERSONAL HABIT

DISEASES

TYPES OF WOOD COMPOSITES FOR

FURNITURE

WOOD COMPOSIT

ESPARTICLEBOA

RD

CHIPBOARD

FLAKEBOARD

MDF

FIBREBOARD

CHARACTERISTIC OF WOOD COMPOSITES FURNITURE

• Durability• Lighter than solid wood furniture• Low cost• Dimensional stability• Attractive (fancy in colour)• Workability

TYPES OF WOOD ADHESIVES USED IN

FURNITURE MADE FROM WOOD COMPOSITES

WOOD ADHESIV

ES

FORMALDEHYDE BASED

ADHESIVES

ELASTOMERIC ADHESIVES

NATURAL ADHESIVES

THERMOPLASTIC ADHESIVES

FORMALDEHYDE

• A chemically the simplest and commercially the most important aliphatic aldehyde(Roffael, 1993).

• Defined as an organic compound with the formula CH2O or HCHO.

CHARACTERISTIC OF FORMALDEHYDE

• Colourless • Flammable gas • Strong and pungent odour. • It can form explosive mixtures with air and oxygen

FORMALDEHYDE BASED ADHESIVES

• Adhesives that based on reactions of formaldehyde which are with phenol, resorcinol, urea, melamine and others.

• Formaldehyde adhesives are water-borne resins• Polymerization and loss of water solvent involve in curing

process. • Compatible the condition of wood composites. 

CHARACTERISTIC OF FORMALDEHYDE ADHESIVES

• Good adhesion to wood• High resistance of polymer• High durability during services • Excellent stability of the adhesives

FORMALDEHYDE RELEASE FROM FURNITURE MADE

FROM WOOD COMPOSITES

• The composite furniture bonded with urea formaldehyde resin emit potentially hazardous formaldehyde fumes(Noisel, Bouchard, & Carrier, 2007)

• Emit the chemical compound from its resin-based• Toxic from the hazardous fumes is affecting the human

health and comfort(Kim, 2009).

HEALTH EFFECTS OF FORMALDEHYDE

• Eyes • Skin • Respiratory allergic

FORMALDEHYDE AFFECTS EYES

• Eye irritation as a burning sensation • Exposure to formaldehyde vapour can cause reddening

and a burning sensation in the eyes • Formaldehyde solutions coming into direct contact with

the eye can cause serious damage to the cornea, possibly leading to blindness.

FORMALDEHYDE AFFECTS SKIN

• High in formaldehyde solutions or resins can cause eczema (dry, flaking and itching skin)

• Skin disease that can appear as a simple rash to severe skin cracking

• Blistering on skin

FORMALDEHYDE AFFECTS RESPIRATORY

• Allergic reaction similar to asthma• Shortness of breath• Chest tightness• Wheezing and coughing.

CONCLUSION• Why it is should not be banned?• Formaldehyde in adhesives are assist the adhesives compatible with the

wood condition.• Have ability in bonded the composites material or certain surface.• Purchase items with a plastic laminate or coating on all sides.• Increase ventilation at home regularly with always open the window at

the day. • Plants are one of the most effective ways to remove harmful chemicals

from indoor air.