MEDIA ADVISORY:
FORMALDEHYDE-FREE WOOD PRODUCTS
POSSIBLE, JUST NOT VIABLE
BLACKSBURG,
Va., June 23, 2004 -A World
Health Organization panel of
26 scientists from 10 countries
announced last week its conclusions
that formaldehyde poses a greater
hazard than previously thought.
They noted that the chemical
is "carcinogenic to humans."
In
spite of their findings, the
Environmental Protection Agency
recently approved a rule that
makes emission controls more
lenient for plywood and wood
product manufacturers.
Chip
Frazier, an associate professor
of wood science and forest products
at Virginia Tech's College of
Natural Resources who specializes
in research on wood adhesives,
says that even though the industry
has substantially reduced formaldehyde
emissions in recent years, emissions
cannot be completely eliminated
for certain adhesives. Consequently,
the industry has developed emission-free
alternatives, but these substitutes
are not viable because of higher
costs.
"Alternatives
do exist," said Frazier, "and
increased concern about formaldehyde
emissions will accelerate the
development of new technologies
that are cost effective."
Building
materials and home furnishings
are among the wood products
that may contain formaldehyde-emitting
adhesives.
Contact
Frazier at (540) 231-8318 or
cfrazier@vt.edu.
His website is http://www.woodscience.vt.edu
/contactlists/facultydetail.asp?facultyID=5
