Question from kpc
I know both of these use formaldehyde based resins, but is furniture made from plywood less toxic (less offgassing) than that made with particle board?
Debra’s Answer
Particleboard is made from wood chips and sawdust, held together with a urea-formaldehyde resin. It offgasses formaldehyde from the resin. Over time, the amount of formaldehyde emitting from the particleboard becomes less and less as it outgasses.
There are at least a half dozen types of plywood used for different purposes, bonded with urea-formaldehyde resin (the one you want to avoid) or the less toxic phenol-formaldehyde resin the OK one because they have to be waterproof.
Furniture and cabinets are made with what is called “furniture grade” or “cabinets grade” plywood, which simply means there are no knot holes or imperfections in the outer layer of the wood on both sides. It does NOT refer to the type of resin used. I found that when it comes to furniture grade plywood, it can be made with either urea-formaldehyde resin or phenol-formaldehyde resin. The only way to know is to contact the manufacturer.
I purchased a sheet of “furniture grade” plywood at Lowe’s and it had no odor at all.
I would suggest that you check to see what resin was used to make the plywood if possible.
In general, plywood is considered to have less outgassing than particleboard.
