Formaldehyde Emissions Testing
ICC NTA, LLC is an industry expert in formaldehyde and formaldehyde testing. As a formaldehyde testing lab, and approved by CARB and the EPA as a third-party certifier (TPC) and formaldehyde testing company, ICC NTA offers a single-source solution for all formaldehyde testing, inspection, certification, evaluation, and follow-up services.
Manufacturers needing formaldehyde testing find value in using a testing lab that also offers follow-up services such as certification, labeling, and factory inspection. Having all required services performed by a single vendor saves a significant amount of time and money, helping manufacturers get their products to market as quickly as possible. ICC NTA is accredited under ISO/IEC 17025 to test.
If you need assistance understanding the specific requirements for CARB/TSCA Title VI compliancy as it relates to your product, you may review the frequently asked questions on the California Air Resources Board website or better yet, speak to an expert by calling ICC NTA at 574-773-7975.
ICC NTA, LLC Testing Methods:
ASTM E1333: This test method measures the formaldehyde concentration in air and emission rate from wood products containing formaldehyde using a large chamber under specific test conditions of temperature and relative humidity, or conditions designed to simulate product use. This method employs a single set of environmental conditions but different product loading ratios to assess formaldehyde concentrations in air and emission rates from certain wood products. The conditions controlled in the procedure are the conditioning of specimens prior to testing, exposed surface area of the specimens in the test chamber, test chamber temperature and relative humidity, number of air changes per hour, and air circulation within the chamber. At the end of a specified time period in the test chamber, the air is sampled, and the concentration of formaldehyde in the air and emission rate are determined. See ASTM E1333 Video Demonstration here.
ASTM D5582: This test method covers a small-scale procedure for measuring formaldehyde emission potential from wood products under defined test conditions. The formaldehyde level is determined by collecting air-borne formaldehyde in a small distilled water reservoir within a closed desiccator. Other analytical procedures may be used to determine formaldehyde emission potential provided that such methods give similar results to the chromotropic acid procedure.
ASTM D6007: A key test method used in testing smaller samples is a small-scale chamber. The small-scale chamber, as its name implies, uses a test chamber to test emissions from small samples of products. This test method is usually more practical and therefore provides a cost-effective method of testing. Preferably, raw samples are taken from manufacturers and/or fabricators prior to laminating or applying other coatings. If uncoated samples are not available, the TPC will attempt to locate an area whereby the particleboard (or other material) is exposed. Either way, the product samples are placed into the small chamber. The chamber provides a closed capsule with constant levels of temperature and humidity. A sample of the air is collected in order to determine the concentration of formaldehyde. See ASTM D6007 Video Demonstration here.