Toxicity of Formaldehyde, Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) and Phthalates in Engineered Wood Products (EWPs) from the Perspective of the Green Approach to Materials: A Review

Abstract

Adhesives, flame-retardant chemicals, and paints are used in engineered wood products (EWPs) to increase some of the properties of wood. Most of the engineered wood composites, including plywood, particleboard, and fiberboard, used as furniture components contain formaldehyde resins as an adhesive. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) added formaldehyde to the list of human carcinogens (Group 1) in 2004. Flame-retardant chemicals are semi-volatile organic compounds that can migrate from the products to the air. There are developmental neurotoxic effects from flame-retardant additives, among which polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are commonly used in EWPs. The flexibility and durability of plastics are increased using phthalates, which are a class of synthetic chemicals, by adding them to the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) that is used in the wood-plastic composites (WPC). Formaldehyde, PBDEs, and phthalates are toxicants that are commonly present in value-added furniture products. This review summarized the toxic effects of these chemicals from the aspect of human health and from the perspective of green products.