ASTM D5582-00
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Determining Formaldehyde Levels from Wood Products Using a Desiccator
Standard Test Method for Determining Formaldehyde Levels from Wood Products Using a Desiccator
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers a small scale procedure for measuring formaldehyde emission potential from wood products. The formaldehyde level is determined by collecting air-borne formaldehyde in a small distilled water reservoir within a closed desiccator. The quantity of formaldehyde 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 formaldehyde emission potential provided that such methods give similar results to the chromotropic acid procedure. However, the test results and test report must be properly qualified and the analytical procedure employed must be noted. Procedures based on acetylacetone and pararosaniline have been found to give similar results to chromotropic acid in other test methods used in determining formaldehyde emission potential from wood products (see Test Method E1333).
1.2 Wood products typically evaluated by this test method are made with urea-formaldehyde adhesives and include particleboard, hardwood, plywood, and medium-density fiberboard. This test method is used for product quality control and is a small bench test method that correlates with the large-scale acceptance test for determining formaldehyde levels from wood products, Test Method E1333. The general desiccator testing procedure may be modified for different conditioning times to accommodate its use in manufacturing quality control. However, the test results must be properly qualified and the conditioning time employed must be noted. Note 1-If modifications are made to the conditioning period for quality control purposes, it is important that the modification is consistently applied. Otherwise, the results may not be comparable.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.4 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 6 and Note 8.
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Designation:D5582–00
Standard Test Method for
Determining Formaldehyde Levels from Wood Products
Using a Desiccator
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 5582; 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 priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard
1.1 This test method covers a small scale procedure for
statements, see Section 6 and 8.2.5.
measuring formaldehyde emission potential from wood prod-
ucts. The formaldehyde level is determined by collecting
2. Referenced Documents
air-borne formaldehyde in a small distilled water reservoir
2.1 ASTM Standards:
within a closed desiccator. The quantity of formaldehyde is
E 77 Test Method for the Inspection and Verification of
determined by a modification of the National Institute for
Thermometers
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) 3500 chromotropic
E 337 Test Method for Measuring Humidity With a Psy-
acidtestprocedure.Otheranalyticalproceduresmaybeusedto
chrometer (The Measurement of Wet-Bulb and Dry-Bulb
determine formaldehyde emission potential provided that such
Temperatures)
methods give similar results to the chromotropic acid proce-
E 1333 Test Method for Determining Formaldehyde Levels
dure. However, the test results and test report must be properly
fromWood Products Under DefinedTest Conditions Using
qualifiedandtheanalyticalprocedureemployedmustbenoted.
a Large Chamber
Procedures based on acetylacetone and pararosaniline have
2.2 HUD Document:
been found to give similar results to chromotropic acid in other
24 CFR3280,ManufacturedHomeConstructionandSafety
test methods used in determining formaldehyde emission
Standards, Federal Register, Vol 49, No. 155
potential from wood products (see Test Method E 1333).
2.3 NIOSH Document:
1.2 Wood products typically evaluated by this test method
Formaldehyde Method 3500, U.S. Department of Health,
are made with urea-formaldehyde adhesives and include par-
and Human Services
ticleboard, hardwood, plywood, and medium-density fiber-
2.4 Other Documents:
board. This test method is used for product quality control and
Minnesota Statutes Section 144.495, 325F.18, and
is a small bench test method that correlates with the large-scale
325F.181, Formaldehyde Gases in Building Materials
acceptance test for determining formaldehyde levels from
wood products, Test Method E 1333. The general desiccator
3. Significance and Use
testing procedure may be modified for different conditioning
3.1 Limitations on formaldehyde levels have been estab-
times to accommodate its use in manufacturing quality control.
lished for wood panel building products made with urea-
However, the test results must be properly qualified and the
formaldehyde adhesives and permanently installed in homes or
conditioning time employed must be noted.
used as components in kitchen cabinets and for similar
NOTE 1—If modifications are made to the conditioning period for
industrial products. This test method is used in conjunction
quality control purposes, it is important that the modification is consis-
with the test method referenced by HUD Rules and Regula-
tently applied. Otherwise, the results may not be comparable.
tions 24 CFR 3280 for manufactured housing and by Minne-
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
sota Statutes Section 144.495 for housing units and building
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
materials. This test method provides a means of testing
only.
small-size samples to determine formaldehyde emission poten-
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
tial.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.03.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.03.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.07.
1 5
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisditionofASTMCommitteeD-7onWoodand Available from Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing
is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D07.03 on Panel Products. Office, Washington, DC 20402.
Current edition approved Apr. 10, 2000. Published June 2000. Originally Available from Print Communications, Dept. ofAdministration, 117 University
published as D 5582 – 94. Last previous edition D 5582 – 94. Ave., St. Paul, MN 55155.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D5582
3.2 This test method incorporates a desiccator, with the wear rubber gloves, apron, and a full face mask or be protected
desiccant removed, having a 250-mm (10-in.) inside diameter from splashing by a transparent shield such as a hood window.
and a volume of approximately 10.5 L (641 in. ) with the The solution becomes extremely hot during the addition of
desiccator lid in place. Conditions controlled in the procedure sulfuric acid. Add slowly to avoid loss of sample due to
are as follows: splattering.
3.2.1 Conditioning of panel products prior to testing, 6.2 Cleaning Chemicals for Glassware—Appropriate pre-
3.2.2 Specified number, size, and edge sealing of wood
cautions shall be taken if cleaning chemicals are considered to
specimens to be placed in the desiccator, be hazardous.
3.2.3 Test desiccator temperature, and
3.2.4 Samples from the 25-mL distilled water collection
7. Test Specimens
mediuminthepetridishbottomareanalyzedforformaldehyde
7.1 Use eight 70 62by127 6 2-mm (2 ⁄4 by 5-in.) by
at the end of a 2-h period in the closed desiccator.
panel thickness specimens for each desiccator test. Cut speci-
3.3 This test method employs a single set of environmental
mens from the sample panel or panel segment to obtain
conditions to assess formaldehyde emission potential from
adequate representation of areas within the panel or panel
certain wood products. When the relationship between desic-
segment. The fresh cut edges and ends of each specimen shall
cator test values and large-chamber test values are to be
be at least 25 mm (1 in.) from the edges and ends of the sample
determined,thevaluesforthespecificwoodpanelproducttype
panel or panel segment. When a product has significantly
shall be plotted. This test method does allow a comparison of
different emission characteristics for each surface and has only
formaldehyde levels from different products for the same use.
one surface exposed to the building space, also use sixteen 70
NOTE 2—Caremustbeexercisedintheextensionoftheresultstoactual by 127-mm (2 ⁄4 by 5-in.) test pieces to prepare eight 70 by
formaldehyde emission from products under actual use conditions.
127-mm double-piece back-to-back specimens.
7.2 Specimen Edge Sealing—Remove sawdust and loose
4. Interferences
splinters from each test specimen. Coat the edges and ends of
4.1 The NIOSH 3500 analytical method lists phenols as a
each single or double-piece specimen by immersion in melted
negative interference when present at an 8:1 excess over
paraffin wax.Apply at least two coats. The wax shall cover no
formaldehyde. Modifications in the analytical procedure shall 3
more than 5 mm ( ⁄16 in.) of either face around the coated
be made when this test method is used to accurately determine
perimeter.
theformaldehydeemissionpotentialfromwoodproductsmade
7.3 Specimen Conditioning—Then condition the specimens
7, 8
with phenol-formaldehyde adhesive systems.
on edge, spaced apart, so air can freely circulate across all
surfaces for seven days 64hat24 6 1.7°C (75 6 3°F) and 50
5. Apparatus
6 10 % relative humidity. The formaldehyde concentration in
5.1 Desiccator—The interior volume of the desiccator shall
the air within 30 cm (12 in.) of where the specimens are
be 10.5 L (641 in. ). Any desiccant shall have been removed,
conditioned shall be not more than 0.1 ppm during the
the interior of the desiccator thoroughly cleaned, and the
conditioning period.
porcelain desiccator plate replaced in the desiccator. The
NOTE 4—Conditioning time less than seven days and specimens with
bearing areas of the desiccator and desiccator lid shall be
edges and ends not coated with paraffin wax may be used for quality
greased so that the container will be air tight during the
control or informational testing; however these and other test method
duration of the 2-h test.
modifications shall be clearly indicated in the test report. Modifications to
5.2 Petri Dish and Beaker—A clean 400-mL beaker to be
conditioning time or edge treatment, or both, will affect the test results;
inverted as a reservoir support and the bottom of a 100 by
therefore, correlation to other test methods may need to be re-established.
20-mm petri as a distilled water reservoir dish shall be
NOTE 5— If liquid-in-glass thermometers or psychrometers, or both,
available for each desiccator test.
are used for determining or checking the temperature or the relative
5.3 Test Room or Area—A room or test area capable of
humidity, or both, of the conditioning area, see Test Methods E 77 and
E 337.
being maintained at 24 6 1°C (75 6 2°F) shall be available for
conducting desiccator tests.
8. Procedure
NOTE 3—If liquid-in-glass thermometers are used for determining or
NOTE 6—Alist of test apparatus and chemical reagents are provided in
checking the temperature of the test area, see Test Method E 77.
Appendix X1.
5.4 Examples of acceptable reagents, materials, and equip-
8.1 Test Procedure for Materials:
ment are provided in Appendix X1.
8.1.1 Conduct tests in a room maintained at 24 6 0.6°C (75
6. Hazards
6 1°F). Equilibrate the desiccator, petri dish bottom, and
6.1 Chromotropic Acid Reagent Treatment (see 8.2.4 and
distilled water to 24 6 0.6°C.
A3.5)—During this hazardous operation, the operator shall
8.1.2 Before each test, wipe the desiccator with a clean rag
or paper towel moistened with distilled water, and then dry
with a clean dry rag or paper towel.
Hakes, D., Johnson, G., and Marhevka, J., Procedure for Elimination of Phenol
Interference in the Chromotropic Acid Method for Formaldehyde, American
NOTE 7—Formaldehyde can be used as a constituent of wet-strength
Industrial Hygiene Association, April 1984.
resins for paper and of permanent-press resins for fabrics. The type of rag
Technical Bulletin No. 415, National Council of the Paper Industry forAir and
Stream Improvement Inc. (NCASI), 1983. or paper towel selected for cleaning must be formaldehyde-free.
D5582
8.1.3 Apply a light coating of vacuum grease to the desic- 8.3.1 Prior to performing this test method for the first time,
catorlidanddesiccator.Avoidexcessiveuseofvacuumgrease. a calibration curve shall be developed. See Annex A3.
8.3.2 Standardize the spectrophotometer to 100 % transmit-
8.1.4 Arrange specimens as prepared in 7.1 and 7.2 and
tance (zero absorbance) using distilled water at 580 nm in
condition as in 7.3 on top of the porcelain desiccator plate
accordance with the instrument’s operating instructions. This
around an inverted 400-mL beaker as a 100 6 7-mm (4 6
gives an indication that the instrument is in proper working
⁄4-in.) high support inside the desiccator for the petri dish
order. Read the “blank” against distilled water because an
bottom distilled water reservoir. Specimens should be arranged
absorbance above 0.040 (using a 12-mm cell path length) or
so that air has access to all surfaces and edges.
above 0.030 (using a 10-mm cell path length) for the reagent
8.1.5 Pipet 25 mL of distilled water into the bottom portion
blank indicates contamination of the reagent blank or improper
of petri dish.
solution preparation.
8.1.6 Carefully lower the petri dish bottom containing
8.3.3 Zerotheinstrumentonthereagentblankifabsorbance
distilledwaterintothedesiccatoruntilitrestsupontheinverted
is not greater than 0.040 (12-mm path length) or 0.030 (10-mm
400-mL beaker.
path length) compared to distilled water as zero. Alternately,
8.1.7 Slide the desiccator lid into place making sure a good
leave the instrument zeroed on distilled water, and subtract the
seal is obtained.
absorbance of the reagent blank from the absorbance of the
8.1.8 Observe and record the time.
sample solutions.
8.1.9 Maintainthedesiccatortestroomat24 60.6°C(75 6
8.3.4 Read and record absorbance at 580 nm of each sample
1°F).Recordthetemperatureat30-minintervals.Alternatively,
prepared (see 9.1 for calculation).
use a continuous temperature recorder. Report any temperature
8.3.5 When a precise desiccator value is required and the
range deviations.
sample solution is found to fall outside the stated absorbance
8.1.10 After 120 6 1 min, remove the desiccator lid and
range (greater than 1.0 or as determined in A3.12), repeat
carefully remove the petri dish. Proceed immediately to 8.2.1.
8.2.1-8.3.4. Otherwise, report the desiccator value associated
When running multiple desiccator tests, initiate 8.2.1 within 10
with a greater than 1.0 absorbance value. When 8.2.1-8.3.4 are
min, otherwise cover the petri dish or dishes with parafilm
repeated, appropriately dilute the sample solution to fall within
while awaiting analysis.
thepreferredabsorbancerangeofthespectrophotometer.Make
8.2 Analysis of Water Samples:
dilution by pipetting x mL of text solution to (4-x mL) of
distilled water for a total of 4 mL (that is, 1 mL of test
8.2.1 Gently swirl the petri dish and pipet 4 mL of the
solution + 3 mL distilled water = 4 mL total). Rerunning the
solution into each of two 16 by 150-mm screw cap test tubes
distilled water“ blank” is not required. Use average sample
for duplicate analysis. Label to avoid subsequent error. Alter-
determinations as the sample absorbance. Read micrograms
natively, use three tubes for triplicate analysis.
(µg) of formaldehyde from the calibration curve. (See Annex
8.2.2 Pipet 4 mL of distilled water into a 16 by 150-mm
A3.)
screw capped test tube to act as a “blank.”
8.2.3 Add 0.1 mLof 1 % chromotropic acid reagent to each
9. Calculation
test tube and shake to mix.
9.1 Calculateformaldehydeconcentrationinweightperunit
8.2.4 Slowly and carefully pipet 6.0 mL concentrated sul-
volume in the solution from the petri dish aliquot in the
furic acid into each test tube (Precaution—See 6.1.) and allow
desiccator:
to flow down the side of test tube. Allow the volumetric pipet
c
to drain. Do not blow out. Before placing caps on test tubes, s
c 5 (1)
t
D 3 4
check the condition of the polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) cap
liners to make sure they are clean and not de
...
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