With questions, Mr. Liu invited an indoor pollution control agency to conduct a test. After comparing the air indicators in the environment with and without furniture, the inspectors determined that the pungent odor was emitted from the furniture Mr. Liu bought. Nowadays, similar incidents are not uncommon in the home decoration process. Furniture and building materials have become one of the concerns of people in home decoration because of "excessive formaldehyde content".
furniture formaldehyde exceeding the standard problem is serious
The results of a random inspection of furniture products conducted by the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Quality and Technical Supervision in November last year showed that 51 batches of 156 batches of products were found to be unqualified. Many of the reasons for the unqualified furniture products are related to "formaldehyde emissions. Compliance with the standard" is relevant. Not long before, the Shaanxi Provincial Bureau of Quality and Technical Supervision announced the results of a random inspection of furniture product quality supervision in the second quarter of this year. It showed that among 95 batches of products selected by the bureau from 95 production and distribution companies, 19 batches of unqualified samples were tested. . The main problems of these products, except for the material requirements for metal parts and the strength of the drawer slides that do not meet the standards, are all related to excessive formaldehyde.
According to our country’s testing standards for formaldehyde content in furniture, the amount of formaldehyde emission should not exceed 1.5 mg/L. However, among the products that have been randomly inspected, it is not difficult to find that some formaldehyde emissions are less than the limit. Times, as many as 5 times or more.
Analysts said that the main reason for the increasingly serious problem of excessive formaldehyde in furniture is: most panel furniture in my country uses fiberboard or particleboard to bond, and these materials need to be bonded with aldehyde adhesives in the production and assembly process of furniture raw materials. For example, many panel furniture will use a kind of adhesive called "urea-formaldehyde resin" in the production process. From a chemical point of view, "urea-formaldehyde resin" is a direct compound of formaldehyde and urea. The product will undergo a "decomposition reaction" of organic matter under natural conditions and release formaldehyde. If you encounter a hot and humid environment, just like adding a "catalyst", the decomposition speed will be doubled, and the smell of formaldehyde will naturally be heavier.
There are many small businesses in the home furnishing industry. In addition to their weak control capabilities on product standards such as raw materials, these companies use unqualified wood-based panels and inferior adhesives. The industry generally believes that another main reason for the repeated prohibition of formaldehyde in the industry is: my country's existing detection methods are "destructive", which makes it difficult to operate furniture detection.
The current detection method is "destructive"
Mr. Liu mentioned above told the author that after finding out that there was a problem with the furniture, he asked the merchant to return the product. Who knows that the merchant does not buy it. Instead, he said that a certain amount of formaldehyde can have anti-corrosion effects on the furniture. If it exceeds the standard, he hopes that Mr. Liu can send the furniture to a professional inspection agency designated by the country for inspection. If the formaldehyde does exceed the standard, it can be exchanged.
"There is no problem with the inspection fee, but it is not cost-effective to cut the furniture worth tens of thousands of dollars into several pieces for inspection. If the rights protection fails, the cost is too high." In desperation, Mr. Liu had to give up. Submitted for inspection.
An investigation shows that among household product complaints, the number of complaints about panel furniture has been among the top for many years. In particular, "excess formaldehyde" is an unspeakable pain for consumers and has become a headache for the furniture industry. But for a long time, because the current furniture inspection methods in our country are difficult to operate, the success rate of consumers' rights protection is not high. In many cases, rights protection have to be done by saying good things to the merchants!
The current furniture testing in my country is the "dryer method", and the process is roughly as follows: Generally, the board samples are first extracted from household products, and then sent to laboratories above the provincial level for chemical testing. It is worth noting that the integrity of the furniture must be destroyed when the sample of the board is taken. This cutting of the furniture into small pieces for testing will not only incur a certain cost, but also cause even if the test result shows that the formaldehyde exceeds the standard. It is difficult to guarantee a smooth replacement and refund, because many businesses will refuse to compensate consumers on the grounds that "furniture products have been damaged".
"Environmental test chamber method" is worth learning
Compared with the domestic "plate sampling detection method" at the cost of destroying the integrity of the furniture, some countries in Europe and the United States have already implemented the "environmental testing warehouse method". The specific operation of this detection method is: first place a single piece of furniture in the " In an airtight chamber", after a certain period of time, take an "air sample" from the chamber for testing.
The difference between this detection method and the method currently used in China is mainly manifested in: the front, does not destroy the integrity of the furniture product structure, which is conducive to the protection of rights after the event; second: the furniture will be placed in a "closed air cabin" "To carry out the test is equivalent to simulating the use environment of the furniture, and the test results will be more convincing. Third: The "environmental test chamber method" does not damage the products submitted for inspection, and the cost incurred is less than that of the "plate sampling detection method".
In addition to the large difference in testing methods from the United States, my country's regulations on furniture formaldehyde emissions also need to be standardized and improved. It is understood that in today's world, the United States has strict controls on "furniture formaldehyde emission testing". In 2009, the "CARB Regulations" promulgated by the United States made detailed specifications for all aspects of furniture production, and even permeated the detection of formaldehyde into every aspect of the circulation of furniture products, rather than simply limited to random inspections of "furniture finished products" .
In contrast to my country’s existing norms and standards for "formaldehyde content", the "Indoor Air Quality Standards" the limit of formaldehyde content is less than or equal to 0.10mg per cubic meter, while the "limitation of harmful substances in interior decoration materials and wood furniture" contains formaldehyde content. The eligibility standard is 1.5 mg or less per liter. Relevant experts said that the inconsistency of the two standards has caused the furniture's formaldehyde content to be inconsistent with the air formaldehyde content. Sometimes, the test result violates one of the standards but meets the other standard, and the business will also refuse to replace it for this reason. Goods return.
Buying furniture requires some basic knowledge
The new standard will be introduced soon, which is undoubtedly good news for consumers. However, it is still very necessary for consumers to master some basic common sense when buying furniture.
There is a saying in the industry that consumers should purchase furniture according to the following situations when buying furniture. Top: The furniture has a strong irritating smell; Second: It is sold in informal stores without quality inspection certificates; Third: The furniture products produced have repeatedly appeared on the black list of the national and local quality inspection departments; Fourth: Panel furniture No edge banding treatment; Fifth: Unable to show the formaldehyde content specification; Sixth: OEM production, the price is very low; Seventh: After-sales warranty is incomplete.
Professionals believe that the quality of indoor air is closely related to the health of the family. The methods to deal with excessive indoor formaldehyde include the use of activated carbon adsorption, opening doors and windows to allow air to circulate naturally, placing green plants indoors, and purchasing air purifiers. . It is better to ask a professional testing agency to conduct "indoor air quality testing" before moving in. It is advisable to move in after the air quality reaches the standard.