Inconsistency Among Formaldehyde Measurement Methods Used in the Wood Products Industry, 1996 Environmental Conference Proceedings

Several different methods are used at wood products facilities to measure formaldehyde emissions to the air. Tables are provided that demonstrate large disparities in formaldehyde measurements collected over time intervals at the same source operating at similar process conditions. Additionally, data are provided from simultaneous source sampling activities in which two different formaldehyde methods were used. Data provided in this paper indicate that many of the analytical methods measure not only Free, but bound formaldehyde (formaldehyde chemically bound to urea or phenol). Many of the source sampling (stack test) methods being used are modified workplace methods that are being used without the benefit of field testing or validation. SW846 Draft Method 0011, a commonly used stack test method, is inappropriate for measurement of free or gaseous formaldehyde on sources that emit resin containing dusts such as wood products press vents.