Standard Test Method for Determining Formaldehyde Concentrations in Air and Emission Rates from Wood Products Using a Large Chamber

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1.1 This test method measures the formaldehyde concentration in air and emission rate from wood products containing formaldehyde under conditions designed to simulate product use (see 11.5 and Note 8). The concentration in air and emission rate is determined in a large chamber under specific test conditions of temperature and relative humidity. The general procedures are also intended for testing product combinations at product-loading ratios and at air-exchange rates typical of the indoor environment (1).  The products tested, the loading ratios and the air exchange rates employed are described in the test report.  
1.2 This test method determines the average formaldehyde concentration in air and emission rate from a number of large size samples. The average concentration and emission rate reported, thus, will not provide information on higher or lower emitting panels in the test lot.  
1.3 This method is primarily used for testing newly manufactured panel products that are shipped for testing either seal-wrapped in polyethylene or with waster sheets, or with both. When this test method is used for evaluating other than newly manufactured panel products (after original application, installation or use), the method of packaging and shipping the product for testing shall be described in the test report.  
1.4 The quantity of formaldehyde in the air sample taken from the chamber is determined by an adaptation of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) 3500 chromotropic acid test procedure. If another analytical procedure is used to determine the quantity of formaldehyde in the air sample, that procedure shall give results of equivalent or greater accuracy and precision than the adapted chromotropic acid procedure. Detailed procedures based on acetylacetone, pararosaniline (see Test Method D5221), 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) (see Test Method D5197) and 3-methyl-2-benzothiazoline (MBTH) (see Test Method D5014) have been found to give results equivalent or greater in accuracy and precision than chromotropic acid. The test report shall note the analytical procedure employed.  Note 1-The chromotropic acid analytical procedure described in this test method is applicable for testing urea-formaldehyde bonded wood products. According to NIOSH (4th Edition, 8/15/94) the low end of the working range for the chromotropic acid analytical procedure is 0.02 ppm. A more sensitive analytical procedure is recommended for testing wood panel products where formaldehyde concentrations in air are anticipated to be at or below this level. DNPH is recognized as such a method.
1.5 This test method is used to determine compliance with requirements such as those established for building materials by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Rules and Regulations 24 CFR 3280 for manufactured housing and by Minnesota Statutes Section 144.495. Measurement results are also used for comparing concentrations in air and emission rates from different wood products (2) and for determining compliance with product standards.  
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.  
1.7 This test method is not designed for determining general organic emissions from all indoor materials and products.  Note 2-ASTM Committee D-22 has developed Guide D5116 which describes small-scale environmental equipment and techniques suitable for determining organic emissions and emission rates from materials and products used indoors.
1.8 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. For specific hazard statements, see Section 7.

General Information

Status
Historical
Publication Date
06-Nov-1996
Technical Committee
Drafting Committee
Current Stage
Ref Project

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ASTM E1333-96 - Standard Test Method for Determining Formaldehyde Concentrations in Air and Emission Rates from Wood Products Using a Large Chamber
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Standards Content (Sample)

Designation: E 1333 – 96
Standard Test Method for
Determining Formaldehyde Concentrations in Air and
Emission Rates from Wood Products Using a Large
1
Chamber
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 1333; 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 in accuracy and precision than chromotropic acid. The test
report shall note the analytical procedure employed.
1.1 This test method measures the formaldehyde concentra-
3
tion in air and emission rate from wood products containing
NOTE 1— The chromotropic acid analytical procedure described in this
formaldehyde under conditions designed to simulate product test method is applicable for testing urea-formaldehyde bonded wood
products. According to NIOSH (4th Edition, 8/15/94) the low end of the
use (see 11.5 and Note 8). The concentration in air and
working range for the chromotropic acid analytical procedure is 0.02 ppm.
emission rate is determined in a large chamber under specific
A more sensitive analytical procedure is recommended for testing wood
test conditions of temperature and relative humidity. The
panel products where formaldehyde concentrations in air are anticipated to
general procedures are also intended for testing product com-
be at or below this level. DNPH is recognized as such a method.
binations at product-loading ratios and at air-exchange rates
2 1.5 This test method is used to determine compliance with
typical of the indoor environment (1). The products tested, the
requirements such as those established for building materials
loading ratios and the air exchange rates employed are de-
by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
scribed in the test report.
Rules and Regulations 24 CFR 3280 for manufactured housing
1.2 This test method determines the average formaldehyde
and by Minnesota Statutes Section 144.495. Measurement
concentration in air and emission rate from a number of large
results are also used for comparing concentrations in air and
size samples. The average concentration and emission rate
emission rates from different wood products (2) and for
reported, thus, will not provide information on higher or lower
determining compliance with product standards.
emitting panels in the test lot.
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
1.3 This method is primarily used for testing newly manu-
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
factured panel products that are shipped for testing either
only.
seal-wrapped in polyethylene or with waster sheets, or with
1.7 This test method is not designed for determining general
both. When this test method is used for evaluating other than
organic emissions from all indoor materials and products.
newly manufactured panel products (after original application,
installation or use), the method of packaging and shipping the
NOTE 2—ASTM Committee D-22 has developed Guide D 5116 which
product for testing shall be described in the test report. describes small-scale environmental equipment and techniques suitable
for determining organic emissions and emission rates from materials and
1.4 The quantity of formaldehyde in the air sample taken
products used indoors.
from the chamber is determined by an adaptation of the
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3500 chromotropic acid test procedure. If another analytical safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
procedure is used to determine the quantity of formaldehyde in
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
the air sample, that procedure shall give results of equivalent or priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
greater accuracy and precision than the adapted chromotropic
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard
acid procedure. Detailed procedures based on acetylacetone, statements, see Section 7.
pararosaniline (see Test Method D 5221), 2,4-
2. Referenced Documents
dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) (see Test Method D 5197) and
3-methyl-2-benzothiazoline (MBTH) (see Test Method 2.1 ASTM Standards:
4
D 5014) have been found to give results equivalent or greater D 3195 Practice for Rotameter Calibration
D 5014 Test Method for Measurement of Formaldehyde in
4
Indoor Air (Passive Sampler Methodology)
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-7 on Wood
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D07.03 on Panel Products.
3
Current edition approved March 10, 1996. Published May 1996. Originally The notes appearing in this test method are not part of the mandatory sections
published as E 1333 – 90. Last previous edition E 1333 – 90. of this standard, ar
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