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PA ONE-YEAR PILOT STUDY

Release Date: 10/04/94
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PA ONE-YEAR PILOT STUDY

FOR RELEASE: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1994

EPA AND THE NATIONAL PARTICLE BOARD ASSOCIATION

CONDUCT A ONE-YEAR PILOT STUDY

On Sept. 29, EPA and the National Particleboard Association (NPA) signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement, under the Federal Technology Transfer Act of 1986, to conduct a one-year pilot study testing indoor air of newly-constructed homes for formaldehyde. Specifically, the study will evaluate the experimental methods for measuring formaldehyde concentrations in both conventionally-built and manufactured (mobile) homes in order to characterize the contribution of interior pressed wood building materials to indoor air levels of the chemical. Some pressed wood building materials--such as particleboard used as flooring in cabinets, shelving and doors--contain ureaformaldehyde (UF) adhesive resins. The resins emit formaldehyde--a gaseous chemical that can irritate the eyes, nose and respiratory system of persons who are exposed to concentrations that are higher than normal background levels. Emissions are strongest from these products when they are new, but the emissions decrease with time. EPA participants include the Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics and the Air and Energy Engineering Research Laboratory. The study will be supervised by EPA and will be conducted by an EPA contractor, Versar Inc. NPA will provide $46,000 for the study and with the support of other trade associations will provide the UF press wood products used in constructing the new homes, perform product emission testing and arrange for access to newlyconstructed manufactured homes.