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Title: Characterization of particleboard aerosol - size distribution and formaldehyde content

Journal Article · · Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J.; (United States)

Health hazards unique to particleboard include the generation of urea-formaldehyde resin bound in wood aerosol and release of formaldehyde gas that can be inhaled by the worker. A particleboard aerosol was generated by a sanding process and collected under laboratory conditions that determined the particle size distribution and formaldehyde content. Three side-by-side Marple 296 personal cascade impactors with midget impingers attached downstream collected particleboard aerosol and gaseous formaldehyde for ten sample runs. Gravimetric analysis quantified the collected aerosol mass, and chromotropic acid/spectrophotometric analytical methods were employed for formaldehyde content in particleboard aerosol and gaseous formaldehyde liberated from sanded particleboard. Significant variations (p<.005) were observed for the particleboard mass and gaseous formaldehyde collected between sample runs. No significant differences (..cap alpha.. = .05) were observed for the aerosol size distribution determined and formaldehyde content in particle board aerosol per unit mass for sampling trials. The overall MMAD of particleboard aerosol was 8.26 ..mu..mAED with a sigmag of 2.01. A predictive model was derived for determining the expected formaldehyde content (..mu..g) by particleboard aerosol mass (mg) collected and particulate size (..mu..mAED).

Research Organization:
Hewlett Packard, Rancho Bernardo, CA
OSTI ID:
7037492
Journal Information:
Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J.; (United States), Vol. 47:12
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English