ASTM D6007-96

Standard Test Method for Determining Formaldehyde Concentration in Air from Wood Products Using a Small Scale Chamber

SCOPE
1.1 This test method measures the formaldehyde concentrations in air from wood products under defined test conditions of temperature and relative humidity. Results obtained from this small-scale chamber test method are intended to be comparable to results obtained testing larger product samples by the large chamber test method for wood products, Test Method E 1333. The results may be correlated to values obtained from Test Method E 1333. The quantity of formaldehyde in an air sample from the small chamber is determined by a modification of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) 3500 chromotropic acid test procedure. Other analytical procedures may be used to determine the quantity of formaldehyde in the air sample provided that such methods give results comparable to those obtained by using the chromotropic acid procedure. However, the test results and test report must be properly qualified and the analytical procedure employed must be accurately described.
1.2 The wood-based panel products to be tested by this test method are characteristically used for different applications and are tested at different relative amounts or loading ratios to reflect different applications. This is a test method that specifies testing at various loading ratios for different product types. However, the test results and test report must be properly qualified and must specify the make-up air flow, sample surface area, and chamber volume.
1.3 Ideal candidates for small-scale chamber testing are products relatively homogeneous in their formaldehyde release characteristics. Still, product inhomogeneities must be considered when selecting and preparing samples for small-scale chamber testing.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are the standard values. Any values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Apr-2002
• ICS: 13.040.20 - Ambient atmospheres
• Technical Committee: D07 - Wood
• Drafting Committee: D07.03 - Panel Products

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM D6007-02 - Standard Test Method for Determining Formaldehyde Concentration in Air from Wood Products Using a Small Scale Chamber
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D7706-17 - Standard Practice for Rapid Screening of VOC Emissions from Products Using Micro-Scale Chambers
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D8345-21 - Standard Test Method for Determination of an Emission Parameter for Phthalate Esters and Other Non-Phthalate Plasticizers from Planar Polyvinyl Chloride Indoor Materials for Use in Mass Transfer Modeling Calculations
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D8407-21 - Standard Guide for Measurement Techniques for Formaldehyde in Air
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D5116-17 - Standard Guide for Small-Scale Environmental Chamber Determinations of Organic Emissions from Indoor Materials/Products
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D6330-20 - Standard Practice for Determination of Volatile Organic Compounds (Excluding Formaldehyde) Emissions from Wood-Based Panels Using Small Environmental Chambers Under Defined Test Conditions
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D7911-19 - Standard Guide for Using Reference Material to Characterize Measurement Bias Associated with Volatile Organic Compound Emission Chamber Test
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D8141-22 - Standard Guide for Selecting Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds (SVOCs) Emission Testing Methods to Determine Emission Parameters for Modeling of Indoor Environments
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2002

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: D 6007 – 96
Standard Test Method for
Determining Formaldehyde Concentration in Air from Wood
Products Using a Small Scale Chamber
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 6007; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
1.1 This test method measures the formaldehyde concentra- 2.1 ASTM Standards:
tions in air from wood products under defined test conditions of D 3195 Practice for Rotameter Calibration
temperature and relative humidity. Results obtained from this D 5197 Test Method for Determination of Formaldehyde
small-scale chamber test method are intended to be comparable and Other Carbonyl Compounds in Air (Active Sampler
to results obtained testing larger product samples by the large Methodology)
chamber test method for wood products, Test Method E 1333. D 5221 Test Method for Continuous Measurement of Form-
The results may be correlated to values obtained from Test aldehyde in Air
Method E 1333. The quantity of formaldehyde in an air sample E 77 Test Methods for Inspection and Verification of Ther-
from the small chamber is determined by a modification of the mometers
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) E 220 Method for Calibration of Thermocouples by Com-
3500 chromotropic acid test procedure. Other analytical pro- parison Techniques
cedures may be used to determine the quantity of formaldehyde E 337 Test Method for Measuring Humidity with a Psy-
in the air sample provided that such methods give results chrometer (the Measurement of Wet-Bulb and Dry-Bulb
comparable to those obtained by using the chromotropic acid Temperatures)
procedure. However, the test results and test report must be E 741 Test Method for Determining Air Change in a Single
properly qualified and the analytical procedure employed must Zone by Means of Tracer Gas Dilution
be accurately described. E 1333 Test Method for Determining Formaldehyde Con-
1.2 The wood-based panel products to be tested by this test centrations in Air and Emission Rates from Wood Products
method are characteristically used for different applications Under Defined Test Conditions Using a Large Chamber
and are tested at different relative amounts or loading ratios to 2.2 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
reflect different applications. This is a test method that specifies (HUD) Standards:
testing at various loading ratios for different product types. 24 CFR 3280, Manufactured Home Construction and Safety
However, the test results and test report must be properly Standards
qualified and must specify the make-up air flow, sample 2.3 NIOSH Standard:
surface area, and chamber volume. 3500 Formaldehyde Method
1.3 Ideal candidates for small-scale chamber testing are 2.4 Other Documents:
products relatively homogeneous in their formaldehyde release Minnesota Statutes Section 144.495, 325f.18, and 325F.181
characteristics. Still, product inhomogeneities must be consid- Formaldehyde Gases in Building Materials
ered when selecting and preparing samples for small-scale
3. Terminology
chamber testing.
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.4 The values stated in SI units are the standard values.
Any values given in parentheses are for information only. 3.1.1 air change rate, N (N is equal to Q/V)—the ratio of
conditioned and filtered air that enters or is replaced in the
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the small chamber in one hour divided by the interior volume of
the small chamber, air changes per hour (ACH).
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.03.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.03.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.07.
Federal Register, Vol 49, No. 155, Aug. 8, 1984, available from Superintendent
of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-7 on Wood
U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, 1989, available from Superintendent
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D07.03 on Panel Products.
of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402.
Current edition approved Sept. 10, 1996. Published November 1996.
Available from Print Communications, Dept. of Administration, 117 University
Ave., St. Paul, MN 55155.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D 6007
3.1.2 equilibrium concentration, C — is that C measured 4.3.5 Air circulation within the chamber.
eq s
when Q equals zero, ppm.
5. Interferences
3.1.3 loading ratio, L—(L is equal to A/V) the total exposed
surface area, excluding panel edges, of the product being tested 5.1 The NIOSH 3500 analytical method lists phenols as a
2 3
divided by the test chamber’s interior volume, m /m . negative interference when present at an 8:1 excess over
3.1.4 make-up air flow, Q—the quantity of conditioned and formaldehyde. Modifications in the analytical procedure shall
filtered air fed into the chamber per unit time, m /h. be made when relatively high phenol to formaldehyde concen-
,
9 10
trations (8:1) are anticipated.
3.1.5 mass transfer coeffıcient, K—a measure of the perme-
ability of the emitting surface of a wood based panel product,
8 6. Apparatus
m/h. K is calculated as follows:
6.1 Test Chamber—The interior volume of the small cham-
~Q/A!~C !
s
K 5 (1)
ber shall be from 0.02 to 1 m . The interior of the test chamber
~C 2 C !
eq s
shall be free of refrigeration coils that condense water and
3.1.6 N/L ratio—(N/L is equivalent to Q/A) the ratio of air
items such as humidifiers with water reservoirs since water has
flow through the chamber to sample surface area, m/h, as
the potential for collecting formaldehyde and thus influencing
follows:
test results. The interior surfaces of the small chamber,
Q/V
including any sample support system, shall be a nonadsorbent
N/L 5 5 ~Q/V! 3 ~V/A! 5 Q/A (2)
A/V
material. Stainless steel, aluminum, and polytetrafluoroethyl-
ene (PTFE) have been found appropriate as chamber lining
3.1.7 Q/A ratio—the ratio of air flow through the chamber
materials. All joints except for doors used for loading and
(Q) to sample surface area ( A), m/h.
unloading specimens should be sealed. Doors shall be self-
3.1.8 sample surface area, A—the total area of all sample
sealing.
faces exposed in the chamber, m .
6.2 Make-Up Air:
3.1.9 steady state concentration, C —the interval when the
s
6.2.1 The make-up air shall come from a filtered dust-free
formaldehyde concentration is not changing with time (ex-
environment and contain not more than 0.02 ppm of formal-
pressed in parts of formaldehyde per million parts air (ppm))
dehyde. This can be accomplished by passing make-up air
under the defined environmental test parameters.
through a filter bed of activated carbon, activated alumina
3.1.10 volume of closed system, V—the interior volume of
impregnated with potassium permanganate, or other materials
the test chamber, m .
capable of absorbing, or oxidizing formaldehyde.
4. Significance and Use
6.2.2 Make-up air for the chamber must pass through a
calibrated air flow measuring device.
4.1 Limitations on formaldehyde levels have been estab-
6.2.3 Air Circulation—Low speed mixing fans or multi-port
lished for wood panel building products made with urea-
inlet and outlet diffusers are two techniques that have been
formaldehyde adhesives and permanently installed in homes or
used successfully to ensure mixing of the chamber air over all
used as components in kitchen cabinets and similar industrial
sample surfaces.
products. This test method is intended for use in conjunction
6.2.4 Air Sampling Port—The exhaust flow (that is, cham-
with the test method referenced by HUD Rules and Regula-
ber outlet) is normally used as the sampling point, although
tions 24 CFR 3280 for manufactured housing and by Minne-
separate sampling ports in the chamber can be used. The
sota Statutes Section 144.495 for housing units and building
sampling system shall be constructed of a material to minimize
materials. This test method provides a means of testing smaller
adsorption (for example, glass, stainless steel), and the system
samples and reduces the time required for testing.
should be maintained at the same temperature as the test
4.2 Formaldehyde concentration levels obtained by this
chambers.
small-scale method may differ from expected in full-scale
6.3 Examples of acceptable reagents, materials, and equip-
indoor environments. Variations in product loading, tempera-
ment are provided in Appendix X1.
ture, relative humidity, and air exchange will affect formalde-
hyde emission rates and thus likely indoor air formaldehyde
7. Hazards
concentrations.
7.1 Chromotropic Acid Reagent Treatment—(See 10.3.4
4.3 This test method requires the use of a chamber of 0.02
and 10.3.5.) During this hazardous operation, the operator must
to1m in volume to evaluate the formaldehyde concentration
wear rubber gloves, apron, and a full face mask or be protected
in air using the following controlled conditions:
from splashing by a transparent shield such as a hood window.
4.3.1 Conditioning of specimens prior to testing,
The solution becomes extremely hot during addition of sulfuric
4.3.2 Exposed surface area of the specimens in the test
acid. If acid is not added slowly, some loss of sample could
chamber,
occur due to splattering.
4.3.3 Test chamber temperature and relative humidity,
4.3.4 The Q/A ratio, and
Hakes, D., Johnson, G., and Marhevka, J., Procedure for Elimination of Phenol
Interference in the Chromotropic Acid Method for Formaldehyde, American
Christensen, R. L., and Anderson, W. H., Measuring Formaldehyde Concen- Industrial Hygiene Association, April 1984.
trations Using a Small Scale Chamber, Proceedings 23rd International Technical Bulletin No. 415, National Council of the Paper Industry for Air and
Particleboard/Composite Materials Symposium, W.S.U., 1989. Stream Improvement Inc. (NCASI), 1983.
D 6007
7.2 Cleaning Chemicals for Glassware— Use appropriate concentration in air of the empty operating chamber shall not
precautions if cleaning chemicals are considered to be hazard- exceed 0.02 ppm. Clean chamber surfaces with water or
ous. suitable solvent if formaldehyde background concentrations
approach 0.02 ppm.
8. Test Specimens
10.1.2 Locate the specimens in the chamber so that the
8.1 Standard Face and Back Configuration—Loading (L or conditioned air stream circulates over all panel surfaces.
A/V) is defined as the total exposed specimen surface area,
10.1.3 Operate the chamber at 25 6 1°C (776 2°F) and 50
excluding edge area, divided by the chamber volume. Alumi-
6 4 % relative humidity. Record the temperature, relative
num tape shall be used to cover the edges of the specimens if
humidity, and barometric pressure during the testing period.
the edge exposure is greater than 5 % of the surface area,
Conduct the chamber test at a given Q/A ratio and record this
thereby retarding formaldehyde emission from the edge. The
ratio in the report.
Q/A ratios in Table 1 are used for testing wood panel products
10.1.4 Specimens remain in the operating chamber until a
containing formaldehyde. Each small chamber will have a
steady state formaldehyde concentration is reached. The time
unique value for the make-up air flow (Q) dependent on the
may be estimated using the following equation:
sample surface area used, and the type of product tested.
21n ~12C /C !V
t s
8.2 Nonstandard Sample Configuration Testing Products
t 5 (3)
Q 1 KA
with Single Surface Exposed—Some products have signifi-
cantly different formaldehyde release characteristics for each
where:
surface. In those cases, panels may be tested back-to-back with
t 5 time to any percent of C less than 100 % (such as
s
edges taped together. The panels shall be identified as tested in
99.9999999999 etc.),
the back-to-back mode. C 5 concentration at time, t,
t
8.3 Combination Testing—Different products may be tested C 5 steady state formaldehyde concentration,
s
A 5 product surface area, m ,
in combination. Qualify the test report and note the Q/A ratio
V 5 chamber volume, m ,
used.
K 5 mass transfer coefficient, m/h, and
−1n 5 negative natural log.
9. Sample Material Handling and Specimen Conditioning
It is necessary to know the range of K for the product
9.1 Handling—Materials selected for testing shall be
involved. If K is unknown, a conservative estimate based on
wrapped in polyethylene plastic having a minimum thickness
the literature may be used. Alternatively, back to back air tests
of 0.15 mm (6 mil) until sample conditioning is initiated. When
giving replicate values within the error of the analytical method
testing wood products that are not newly manufactured such as
may be used.
after original application, installation or use, the method of
10.2 Air Sampling—Purge air sampling lines for 1 min. At
packaging and shipping the products for testing shall be fully
the sampling station, bubble air through a single impinger
described. Information on the age and history of the product
containing 20 mL of a 1 % sodium bisulfite (NaHSO ) solu-
shall be detailed in the test report.
tion. A filter trap may be placed between the impinger and the
9.2 Conditioning—Condition test specimens with a mini-
flowmeter. Set a calibrated flowmeter to maintain an average
mum distance of 0.15 m (6 in.) between each specimen for 2 h
airflow of 1 6 0.05 L/min. for 30 min. with time measured
6 15 min at conditions of 24 6 3°C (75 6 5°F) and 50 6 5%
accurately to within 5 s. Following air sampling, analyze the
relative humidity. The formaldehyde concentration in the air
collection solution.
within 0.3 m (12 in.) of where panels are conditioned shall be
not more than 0.1 ppm during the conditioning period. Alter- 10.3 Analysis of Air Samples:
native conditioning intervals may give better correlation, such
10.3.1 Pipet 4 mL of the NaHSO solution from the im-
as seven day conditioning that parallels Test Method E 1333.
pinger into each of three 16 by 150-mm screwcap test tubes for
triplicate analysis of each impinger sample.
10. Procedure
10.3.2 Pipet 4 mL of 1 % NaHSO into a 16 by 150-mm
10.1 Test Procedure for Materials:
screwcap t
...