DETERMINATION OF EMISSIONS FROM WOOD-BASED PANELS USING THE FLASK METHOD

The flask method has been developed to assess the formaldehyde release from particleboards and other wood-based panels. Now, a special version of the method has been accepted by the CEN as a draft for a European Standard. The method is also used to evaluate the formaldehyde release from other materials like wall paper. Recent research work shows that the method is also applicable to determine the emissions of the volatile acids (acetic and formic acids) and free phenols from wood-based materials. Based on the flask method, a new technique is presented to assess the toxicity of emissions from wood-based panelS using luminescent bacteria. A summary is given on the scope or the method and its field of application.