FACT SHEET: ALTERNATIVE RESIN BINDERS FOR PARTICLEBOARD, MDF & WHEATBOARD May 2008

Alternative Resin Binders for Particleboard, Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF), and Wheatboard

rea formaldehyde-based development into four major approaches resins have been the to reduce the problem of exposure to standard binders used formaldehyde from composite wood to glue the particles binders: together in many 1) Modi! ed urea formaldehyde resins with Ucomposite wood products, including scavenger additives, such as melamine, particleboard, wheatboard, and medium to reduce the rate of emissions of density ! berboard (MDF). In recent years, formaldehyde; however, concerns have been rising 2) Alternate formaldehyde resins, such as about the risks of cancer and bronchial phenol formaldehyde, which cure at the health impacts from formaldehyde.1 factory during manufacture and hence Several market factors are driving have much lower formaldehyde emissions major changes in the composition and in use than urea formaldehyde; technology of these resins. Pressure from the green building movement through 3) Alternate fossil fuel-based binders market selection and certi! cation containing no added formaldehyde, such programs, plus emissions regulations as methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI); from the California Air Resources Board and (CARB), are moving manufacturers to 4) Alternate binders based on renewable look for ways to reduce formaldehyde resource materials, such as soy " our. emissions or eliminate formaldehyde entirely from formulas. Formaldehyde–based Binders This fact sheet evaluates health hazards associated with each of the major binder There are three types of formaldehyde- technologies. Manufacturers are currently based binders currently on the market. using or undertaking research and Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen, respiratory irritant and hazardous NOTE component of smog. For more detailed There are many concerns about the use of the term “formaldehyde free” description of formaldehyde and its in marketing or otherwise describing building products. A wide range health hazards refer to “Health Hazards of materials, including wood and paper, naturally emit very small of Formaldehyde Found in Building trace amounts of formaldehyde. Therefore for clarity, we exclusively Materials” at http://www.healthybuilding. use the term “no added formaldehyde” instead of “formaldehyde free” net healthcare/index.html. to describe these products.

PAGE 1 OF 6 Urea Formaldehyde Phenol formaldehyde results in 90% less formaldehyde emissions than urea Composite wood using binders formaldehyde, but does not completely composed of urea formaldehyde (UF)2 eliminate formaldehyde emissions were determined by the CARB to be altogether.6 Phenol formaldehyde signi! cant sources of formaldehyde formulations, like urea formaldehyde emissions in buildings due to the fact formulas, are derived from formaldehyde that urea formaldehyde continues to and hence share the same occupational cure throughout its lifetime, out gassing exposure concerns. Additionally, the formaldehyde in the environment for aromatic hydrocarbon, phenol,7 that is long periods after manufacture and used to make phenol formaldehyde, installation.3 is on its own a chemical of concern. Urea Formaldehyde and Finally, phenol formaldehyde is listed as Scavenger Additives a suspected immunotoxicant under NIH’s Database on Hazardous Chemicals and Urea formaldehyde-based resins can Occupational Diseases.8 be directly mixed with additives called scavengers, which bind with the urea MDI and pMDI formaldehyde to reduce emissions. Polymeric MDI (pMDI)9 is the primary Melamine and hexamine are the most technical/commercial form of methylene common added scavengers. Alternatively, diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI).10 11 MDI the board may be treated after pressing and pMDI are used in the production of with a scavenger such as anhydrous polyurethane foam as well as for binders. ammonia or various solid ammonium MDI and pMDI are produced from compounds.4 Scavengers can reduce aniline,12 formaldehyde,13 14 and a large formaldehyde emissions by 2 to 10 times, number of other chemicals, including but cannot eliminate it. Signi! cant quality MDI and benzene.15 The bulk of the control is required in manufacturing scienti! c information assessing the health to maintain these reductions in mass or environmental hazards of MDI/pMDI production of the ! nished product. involve the use of MDI in the production of Furthermore, while reducing the rate polyurethane foam.16 of emission of formaldehyde from composite wood and providing short Health impacts—cancer term improvements, it is not clear if The International Agency for Research scavengers extend the time over which on Cancer (IARC) classi! es MDA (4,4’- the formaldehyde emits from the board. methylenedianiline,17 an aniline building As there is no threshold below which block of MDI, as a probable human formaldehyde has no carcinogenic carcinogen (Group 2B).18 While IARC e# ect, this analysis does not focus on the has not classi! ed aniline as a human scavenger alternative. carcinogen, both the EPA19 and California Proposition 6520 have done so. The Phenol Formaldehyde National Institute of Health’s National Phenol formaldehyde (PF)5 has long Toxicology Program (NTP) states that been used in composite wood products MDA is reasonably anticipated to be a designed for exterior use due to its higher human carcinogen.21 MDA is listed in water resistance than urea formaldehyde. California’s Proposition 65 as a known

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carcinogen22 and is a cardiovascular, from the product are insigni! cant kidney, and neurodevelopmental toxicant and not comparable to the hazards of in the Registry of Toxic E# ects of Chemical formaldehyde binder emissions. Like Substances.23 epichlorohydrin, below, the issue with MDI is occupational exposure in the making of Studies recently are ! nding emerging the resin binder itself. evidence that the solvent benzene, used to produce MDI, is not only a volatile Emerging alternatives: organic compound, but may also be linked Soy-Based Binders to leukemia, multiple myeloma, prostate Columbia Forest Products made headlines cancer, and non-Hodgkins lymphoma.24 in 2006 with announcement of PureBond,® Health impacts—non-cancer its new soy-based resin technology. MDI is a member of a class of chemicals This was a ! rst break from the industry known as isocyanates. Isocyanates in dependence on resins that use a form general are skin irritants, as well as eye, of formaldehyde in the resin or as a mucous membrane, and respiratory tract feedstock, replacing it with a resin based irritants.25 The primary adverse e# ect on upon a renewable resource (soy " our). It is humans from MDI is asthma and then ! rst being utilized as a binder in hardwood secondarily contact dermatitis, as well as plywood panels and is currently being hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP). Acute tested for use in other composite wood inhalation exposure to aniline at high products. levels can result in respiratory problems in The soy " our component is a renewable humans.26 resource and, while not studied Occupational exposures extensively as a building material Isocyanates are a class of chemicals component, it is not expected to have implicated in workplace exposures health impacts as signi! cant as the and occupational health. The U.S. formaldehyde and MDI-based binders. Soy Environmental Protection Agency products can cause allergic reactions in (EPA) says, “exposure to isocyanates is a some people and contain plant estrogens. leading cause of occupational asthma The compounds are, however, expected worldwide.”27 Researchers have found to be completely destroyed in processing isocyanate-induced asthma showing and not be present in the proteins used in up in 5–10% of workers in diisocyanate the adhesive.32 production facilities,28 5–25% in PureBond does, however, have another polyurethane production plants,29 and primary component—Kymene—with 5–30% in polyurethane seat cover problematic feedstocks. Kymene operations.30 The Center for Disease is produced using polyamide- Control’s (CDC) National Institute on epichlorohydrin (PAE)33 resin, which in Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) turn is manufactured from a chemical regulates MDI occupational exposures.31 known as epichlorohydrin, or chloropropyl User exposures oxide. Kymene resin is manufactured Actual test data is limited, but indications by Hercules Chemical and previously are that once MDI is cured, the emissions primarily marketed as a resin in paper

PAGE 3 OF 6 manufacturing.34 Though workplace issues are paramount, the EPA also regulates epichlorohydrin in 35 Epichlorohydrin drinking water.49 Those employed in the Epichlorohydrin36 is a highly volatile and manufacture of epichlorohydrin are likely unstable liquid epoxide. It is prepared to have greatest potential for exposure, from propene, found in coal gas or as well as those working in the Kymene synthesized by cracking petroleum, plants, rather than workers exposed which is chlorinated to allyl chloride.37 during the manufacturing of the PureBond Epichlorohydrin is a major raw material resin itself.50 CDC’s NIOSH regulates used in the manufacture of epoxy and epichlorohydrin occupational exposure.51 phenoxy resins. It is also used as a solvent User Exposure and in the synthesis of glycerol. Other uses Columbia Forest Products says that the include as an insect fumigation and as a epichlorohydrin is completely consumed chemical intermediate for the formation of in the batch manufacturing process glycidyl acrylate derivatives.38 used to make the resin, so there are Health impacts—cancer no emissions from the process and no The International Agency for Research on epichlorohydrin remaining in the ! nal Cancer (IARC) classi! es epichlorohydrin product.52 The manufacturer has stated as a probable human carcinogen (Group that the addition and mixing of PAE with 2A).39 The National Institute of Health’s the soy " our is a “closed process” and National Toxicology Program (NTP) therefore manufacturing workers and/or states that epichlorohydrin is reasonably users do not have contact with the PAE or anticipated to be a human carcinogen.40 the mixed PAE-soy resin.53 Massachusetts The chemical is listed in California’s Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI) Proposition 65 as a carcinogen.41 concluded in its study of PureBond, that “[w]hile it eliminates potential Health impacts—non-cancer formaldehyde exposures, it does introduce Epichlorohydrin is listed in California’s a new potential hazard, epichlorohydrin, Proposition 65 as a reproductive into the lifecycle of building panels. This toxicant (as well as a carcinogen—see hazard is unlikely to threaten building above). Researchers have found that occupants or workers exposed to the epichlorohydrin is acutely toxic to humans Kymene resin, but is a potential (although and overexposure can cause severe low) worker and environmental hazard in damage to the liver, kidneys, eyes, and the manufacture of the intermediates.”54 respiratory tract.42 It is also mutagenic and may cause infertility in men.43 It is Summary Conclusions also regulated in drinking water,44 as a At this point in the development of hazardous air pollutant,45 as a pesticide,46 alternatives to urea formaldehyde as an air contaminant,47 and as an aquatic (UF) resins in particleboard, MDF , and toxicant.48 wheatboard products, there has yet to Occupational exposures be a product that can replace UF that NIOSH conducted industry-wide studies of does not raise some environmental 55 exposure to epichlorohydrin in the 1970s health concerns. Taking into account and found exposures in the workplace any potential added costs associated well below the PEL and the ACGIH TLV. with the production of the alternatives

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(some alternative products require more safety concerns during the production curing time, which gets built into the and manufacturer of the composite wood product price), health care institutions products. We were not able to determine will have to take into account the at this time whether there are su$ cient health risks, alongside the costs and remediation e# orts that can be utilized performance characteristics of the in the workplace to reduce occupational products themselves, to determine exposure concerns, but hope to be able to which alternatives to use in casework. address these issues in future work; and Alternatives to formaldehyde, such as MDI 4) Alternate binders based on renewable or soy-based resins, appear to virtually resource materials, such as soy " our, eliminate the exposures to chemicals do not release formaldehyde during in the curing processes that continue use. What we know of a primary after installation in formaldehyde-based component, epichlorohydrin, currently products, signi! cantly reducing user used in combination with the soy " our exposure to hazardous chemicals. These in the resin, does raise some concerns chemicals do, however, raise occupational for occupational heath and safety. The health concerns for those making the resin primary manufacturer of the technology binders. claims that the product is manufactured In summary, the health concerns are as in such a way as to reduce occupational follows: exposure and eliminate potential user exposure. We were not able to determine 1) Modi! ed urea formaldehyde resins at this time whether there are su$ cient with scavenger additives bind the remediation e# orts that can be utilized formaldehyde better in the wood, in the workplace to reduce occupational reducing but not eliminating the exposure concerns, but hope to address formaldehyde emissions from the resin. these issues in future work. Like other urea formaldehyde based resins, they will o# gas formaldehyde, exposing occupants for long periods of time, just at lower rates; 2) Alternate formaldehyde resins, such as phenol formaldehyde, also have lower formaldehyde emissions in use, but do not eliminate emissions altogether. In addition, they raise occupational health and safety concerns during the production process; 3) Alternate fossil fuel-based binders containing no formaldehyde, such as methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), do not release formaldehyde during use. They are, however, made from formaldehyde. In addition, MDI raises other signi! cant occupational health and

PAGE 5 OF 6 ENDNOTES 21 National Institute of Health 11th Report on Cancer, 44 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Safe Drinking National Toxicology Program (1998) (http://ntp-server. Water Act of 1974. and National Primary Drinking Water 1 Formaldehyde (CAS No. 50-00-0) is also known niehs.nih.gov/index.cfm?objectid=32BA9724-F1F6- Contaminants Regulations. (http://www.epa.gov/ as methanal, methylene oxide, oxymethylene, 975E-7FCE50709CB4C932). safewater/contaminants/index.html#listmcl). methylaldehyde, or oxomethane and has the chemical

abbreviation HCHO. For more in depth analysis of 22 Proposition 65, Ibid. 45 Title III of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 (http:// formaldehyde, see “Health Hazards of Formaldehyde 23 Registry of Toxic E! ects of Chemical Substances (RTECS) www.epa.gov/appcdwww/aptb/hap_list.pdf). Found in Building Materials,” May 2008. cited in Scorecard.org based on a review of RTECS 46 Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide 2 CAS No. 9011-05-6 conducted by Environmental Defense. Act (FIFRA). (http://a257.g.akamaitech. net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo. 3 California Air Resources Board, “Fact Sheet Proposed 24 Clapp R, Jacobs M, Loechler E, Environmental and gov/2005/pdf/05-22384.pdf). Airborne Toxic Control Measure (ATCM) to Reduce Occupational Causes of Cancer: New Evidence, Formaldehyde Emissions from Composite Wood Products” 2005-2007, Lowell Center for Sustainable Production, 47 Occupational Safety and Health Agency (OSHA). (http://www.arb.ca.gov/toxics/compwood/background. University of Massachusetts, Lowell, October 2007. “Chemical Sampling Information Epichlorohydrin.” htm). 25 Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for (http://www.osha.gov/dts/chemicalsampling/data/ CH_238700.html). 4 California Air Resources Board, Sta! Report: Initial Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute of Statement Of Reasons For Proposed Rulemaking - Occupational Safety and Health, “A Summary of Health 48 World Health Organization, “Epichlorohydrin Health And Adoption Of The Proposed Airborne Toxic Control Measure Hazard Evaluations: Issues Related to Occupational Safety Guide”, International Programme On Chemical To Reduce Formaldehyde Emissions From Composite Exposure to Isocyanates, 1989 to 2002”., January Safety, Health And Safety Guide No. 8, Geneva 1987 Wood Products, April 2007 (http://www.arb.ca.gov/ 2004 (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2004-116/ (http://www.inchem.org/documents/hsg/hsg/hsg008. regact/2007/compwood07/isor.pdf). pdfs/2004-116.pdf). htm). 5 CAS No. 9003-35-4 26 US EPA Hazard Summary for Aniline, Revised January 49 Proposition 65, Ibid. 2000. (http://www.epa.gov/ttn/uatw/hlthef/aniline. 6 CARB. Ibid. 50 Proposition 65, Ibid.. html). 7 CAS No. 108-95-2 51 National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 27 US EPA, Toxicological Review of MDI (February 1998). “International Chemical Safety Card: Epichlorohydrin” 8 National Institute of Health, “Relational Database of 28 US EPA, Ibid. (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ipcsneng/neng0043.html). Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases” (http://hazmap.nlm.nih.gov/hazmapadv.html). 29 US EPA, Ibid. 52 TURI 2006, page 4-17.

9 CAS No. 101-68-8 30 US EPA, Ibid. 53 TURI 2006, page 4-33. 10 CAS No. 9016-87-9 31 National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 54 TURI 2006, page 4-35. “International Chemical Safety Card: MDI.” (http://www. 11 World Health Organization, “Concise International 55 For detailed information about concerns with UF, please cdc.gov/niosh/ipcsneng/neng0298.html). Chemical Assessment Document 27: Diphenylmethane see “Health Hazards of Formaldehyde Found in Building Diisocyanate (MDI),” 2000 (http://www.inchem.org/ 32 Brown, Valerie, “Better Bonding with Beans,” Materials.” (http://www.healthybuilding.net healthcare/ documents/cicads/cicads/cicad27.htm). Environmental Health Perspectives. 2005 August; 113(8): index.html). A538–A541 (http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/ 12 CAS No. 62-53-3 articlerender.fcgi?artid=1280368). 13 WHO, Ibid. 33 CAS No. 68583–79–9 14 Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI) 34 Kymene is marketed as a “wet strength” technology at the University of Massachusetts Lowell (June 2006) to provide strength to paper. See Hercules Paper [hereinafter TURI document], page 4-16 of 456 Technologies website at http://ppd.herc.com/ (http://www.turi.org/library/turi_publications/ innovations/kymene%C2%AE_wet_strength_ " ve_chemicals_study). technology.asp. 15 McRandle, P.W., “What is Polyurethane?”April 2003 35 TURI, Ibid. (http://www.thegreenguide.com/doc/ask/poly). 36 CAS No. 68583–79–9 16 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Toxicological Review Of Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanate (MDI) (CAS 37 Chemical Land 21, Arokor Holdings, Inc. (http://www. No. 101-68-8 and 9016-87-9) In Support of Summary chemicalland21.com/petrochemical/EPICHLOROHYDRIN. Information on the Integrated Risk Information System htm). (IRIS) February 1998 (http://www.epa.gov/iris/ 38 O# ce of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment toxreviews/0529-tr.pdf). (OEHHA), “Chronic Toxicity Summary: Epichlorohydrin 17 CAS No. 101-77-9 (1-chloro-2,3-epoxy-propane),” 2000. (http://www. oehha.ca.gov/pdf/2ApnA_DCB-Isoph.pdf). 18 International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Summaries & Evaluations: 4,4’-Methylenedianiline 39 International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and its Dihydrochloride (Group 2A), Vol. 39, page Summaries & Evaluations: Epichlorohydrin 347 (1986) and Suppl. 7 (1987) (p. 66: Group 2B). (Group 2A), Vol. 71 (1999) (p. 603) (http://www.inchem. (http://www.inchem.org/documents/iarc/vol39/4,4’- org/documents/iarc/vol71/020-epichlorohydrin.html). methylenedianiline.html). 40 National Institute of Health, Ibid. 19 US EPA, Integrated Risk Information System – Aniline is 41 Proposition 65, Ibid. classi" ed as a Group B2 “Probable Human Carcinogen” 42 National Library of Medicine, “Hazardous Substances (http://www.epa.gov/IRIS/subst/0350.htm). Data Bank (HSDB).” (http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/ 20 California Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement sis/search/f?./temp/~aVEyeS:1.). Act of 1986 (Proposition 65). (http://www.oehha.org/ 43 International Programme On Chemical Safety: prop65/prop65_list/" les/032108list.pdf). “Environmental Health Criteria 33” (1984). (http://www. inchem.org/documents/ehc/ehc/ehc33.htm).

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