Determination of the emissions of volatile organic compounds from oriented strand boards and evaluation by the German AgBB scheme

There has been an increasing use of oriented strand boards (OSBs) for the construction of floors, ceilings and walls of buildings. In Germany and other European countries, OSBs are mainly produced from pine wood (Pinus sylvestris). In response to complaints about the odour and irritation of mucous membranes in connection with the use of OSBs, samples of OSBs were bought from do-it-yourself stores to test their volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions by using emission test chambers. The boards emitted predominantly monoterpenes, aldehydes, acids and acetone. Aldehydes are generated during the production process by the oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids such as linoleic acid. Pine wood, compared with other wood species, contains more unsaturated fatty acids. Of the six acquired OSBs, four boards from three manufacturers would not meet the requirements of the German AgBB (Ausschuss zur gesundheitlichen Bewertung von Bauprodukten, Committee for Health Evaluation of Building Products), mainly because of the emissions of unsaturated aldehydes. These compounds have low LCI values (lowest concentration of interest) and are therefore problematic substances based on a health-related evaluation of building products according to the AgBB scheme.