Formaldehyde Emissions from Wood Materials and Their Impact on Indoor Air Quality

Wood-based materials are a significant source of formaldehyde (HCHO), which is a volatile organic compound (VOC) classified as a human carcinogen that has adverse effects on the indoor air quality (IAQ) and health. This study evaluates HCHO emissions from six materials commonly used indoors, including medium-density fiberboard, melamine, pine boards, birch boards, oak boards, and alder boards, using the desiccator method in accordance with ASTM D5582. The experimental results were integrated with an indoor air model to estimate exposure under representative residential conditions. The measured emissions ranged from 0.235 ± 0.01 to 1.023 ± 0.10 mg m−3, with composite materials exhibiting the highest values. The risk analysis showed that all samples exceeded international reference values, with the greatest concern arising in scenarios of chronic exposure. The modeling indicated that indoor air concentrations depend heavily on material load and ventilation, reaching values as high as 0.155 mg m−3 under conditions of low air exchange. Overall, the results show that material composition, installed quantity, and ventilation conditions are key factors influencing indoor HCHO concentrations. This study offers an integrated approach that combines experimental measurement and exposure estimation, contributing to informed material selection and the assessment of their impact on IAQ.