Abstract:
Particleboards made using formaldehyde
adhesives cause substantial emission of
free formaldehyde over time. Free
formaldehyde is harmful to the user’s
health and it also weakens internal bonds
of particleboards in use. Emissions levels
of formaldehyde lie between 0.8 to 2.2
g/m3
of indoor air in particleboards
constructed homes. This study was carried
out to quantify the amount of free
formaldehyde in particleboards from
Raiply Ltd in Eldoret, suggest possible
ways to reduce the emissions and
determine the effect of the treatment on
physical and mechanical properties of the
particleboards. Five samples were selected
randomly and, different sections of the
boards were prepared and soaked in
distilled water for different times. Samples
fumed with ammonia at different durations
from 15 to 60 minutes were subsequently
soaked for 1 to 24 hours to determine
water absorption. High Pressure Gas
Chromatography (HPGC) was used to
quantify free formaldehyde present in each
leachate. Ammonia treated and untreated
samples were tested for both physical and
mechanical properties at the Kenya Bureau
of Standards. The study revealed that
fuming particleboards with ammonia
reduces the amount of free formaldehydes,
on average, by 100%. Ammonia fuming
reduces particleboards thickness swelling
by between 14.01 and 11.5% and water
absorption by between 95.6 and 90.5%. the
fuming increased MOE of particleboards
from 2689.9 to 3405.3 kN/mm and MOR
from 10.3 N/mm to 9.3 N/mm. Ammonia
fuming should therefore be used to reduce
free formaldehyde emission indoor. It’s
recommended that further studies be
carried out to determine long-term effect of
ammonia fumes on particleboards.
