Particle Board Toxins

Particle board is made entirely from recycled wood, but may not be as "green" as you think.

Particleboard is made of recycled wood. The porous surface allows gases to be released into the surrounding environment. The main dangerous chemical component found in the material is formaldehyde, an eye and nasal irritant and likely carcinogen.

Sources

Particleboard is a primary component of many fixtures commonly found in homes. Katherine Salant of the Washington Post reported that kitchen cabinets, bedroom sets, and other furniture as the most common household items found to be made with particleboard containing formaldehyde.

Main Toxins

Particleboard has become inextricably tied with formaldehyde. This toxin is a main component used in the glue that holds the wood veneer together, according to an article from sustainlane.com.

Risks

When formaldehyde gas is released into the air, it can be responsible for eye, nose and respiratory irritations. It has also been identified by the World Health Organization as a carcinogen.

Safe Levels

Sustainlane.com states that the health standard for formaldehyde is 0.09 parts per million. This is significant when compared to the average home, which Sustainlane.com states has a level of between 10 and 20 parts per million.

Prevention

According to amuchbetterway.com, there are sealants available which will prevent some of the off-gassing from the surface. Among them are the products of American Formulating and Manufacturing, with their line of Safecoat stains and sealers.

References

• A Much Better Way: Plastics, Particleboard & the Microwave
• The Washington Post: A Solution to the Particleboard Problem
• Sustain Lane: Can Government Keep Toxins Out of Your Home?

Resources

• care.com: Creating a Toxin-Free Home