[Susan]

Oregon Natural Step Network Case Study, February 1998


"What is Formaldehyde? Under normal conditions, formaldehyde is a colorless gas with a pungent smell. It occurs naturally in all living cells and therefore also in the human body. Formaldehyde is able to combine with a number of substances to form a variety of end-products, and synthetically manufactured formaldehyde is used in the manufacture of paints, lacquers, adhesives, rigid plastics and a number of toiletry items, such as shampoo and soap. Formaldehyde is normally used in bound form or in aqueous solution as formalin. Formaldehyde also occurs as a by-product of incomplete combustion, for example in car exhaust fumes and tobacco smoke where it is present in much higher concentrations than emitted from, for example, furniture. How is the Environment Affected? Formaldehyde is quickly broken down in nature and is not accumulated in animals and plants. Formaldehyde can, however, cause allergic reactions in contact with skin or if inhaled. In very high doses over a long period of exposure, formaldehyde is suspected of being carcinogenic. There is, however, no scientific evidence for this.

Is it Used in IKEA Products? Formaldehyde occurs in IKEA products as a binder in wood-based materials such as particleboard, bentwood and plywood. It also occurs in adhesives and lacquers, and in textile materials as a component in finishing treatments.

What Rules Apply Generally? IKEA has long worked to minimize the use of formaldehyde. Since 1986, IKEA has applied the German formaldehyde requirement, currently the strictest, for all IKEA products on all sales markets, even where no limit exists. The German limit is such that even persons who are over sensitive to formaldehyde should not experience any problems. Denmark and Austria have similar requirements, while Sweden, Norway, Finland and California have their own formaldehyde requirements. On it own initiative, IKEA has also introduced equivalent requirements on textiles in spite of the fact that formal requirements exist only in Japan and Finland."

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E: The Environmental Magazine, Jan-Feb, 2004 by Tasha Eichenseher

"Furniture and bedding is a $66 billion industry in the U.S., and the vast majority of those products are still constructed in the conventional way--from declining natural resources, However, a handful of furniture makers are blazing a more sustainable path. "We're at the boutique stage now with 'green' furniture, with the exception of Ikea," says Keith Winn of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). While furniture that doesn't contain harmful chemicals or is made from environmentally friendly resources is readily available online, most conventional retailers don't offer it in their show rooms."

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Member LizH's correspondence with IKEA North America:

"Dear Ms. Lopez,

I am happy to read that IKEA cabinets meet the German standards for formaldehyde
emissions. I am concerned however about the use of melamine inside the
cabinets. Have studies been done as to the formaldehyde outgassing of the
melamine? I haven't been able to find any - just expectations that melamine
does not emit any formaldehyde.

On a related matter - what about other VOC's or Volatile Organic Chemicals? I
am building a new house specifically to limit exposure to these. I really like
the IKEA cabinetry, but can't find any information indicating that it would be
acceptable to use in my house.

I would greatly appreciate any information you can provide.

Liz H"

Response from Ms. Lopez's office:

"Hi Liz,
I am responding to you on behalf of Pernille Lopez. I'm sorry that's it
taken me a while to get back to you but I needed to investigate your question. I have
discussed this with our product development unit and they have given me the
following information.

Regarding emissions from IKEA-products, this is a matter we handle not
only in terms of formaldehyde, but also for VOC's.

We have adopted a standard based on a voluntary German guideline.
Both the total product and every single part of a IKEA products has to
fulfil emission requirement (including different materials like
melamine and both the inside and outside of a product).
This involves limit values both for short term (after unpacking a
product; measurements after 5, 24 and 48 hours) and long term (check
point after 28 days). Therefore, we feel confident that our products
are satisfactory also in this regard.

I hope that this satisfactorily answers your concerns.

Regards,
Tracey Kelly
Corporate Communications
IKEA US Services LLC
496 W Germantown Pike
Plymouth Meeting PA 19462"

[1goldenrodent]

I would like to thank Susan, the forum administrator, for posting information on such an important topic. I find it curious that 1,000+ Ikeafans have viewed her, "formaldehyde and other VOC's" posting, yet this is the first reply; Why? The posting contains information on Industry standards, but does not address concerns of Ikea consumers. I respect Ikea's commitment to the environment as a "green" company, my concern is consumer health, mine and others too.

[woodswell]

Originally Posted by 1goldenrodent

I find it curious that 1,000+ Ikeafans have viewed her, "formaldehyde and other VOC's" posting, yet this is the first reply; Why?

Although there is the ability to add comments to the articles, most of the discussions on VOCs and formaldehyde have been done in threads in other places on the site. If you search for those threads, you will find some pretty interesting points.