Sheherazade Goldsmith who writes in the Green Scene part of the Mail’s YOU magazine recently discussed the problem of outgassing chemicals from the ubiquitous MDF. She explains that plywood & laminate boards use large amounts of chemical glues to produce, but the worst culprit is medium density fibreboard (MDF.)
The waste wood & shavings are glued together using formaldehyde resins, which can continue to release low levels of chemicals for up to 3 years & are a ‘Category 3’ carcinogen (ie. linked to cancer). She says ‘the govt. don’t seem to be doing much’ but some retailers such as B&Q & Ikea, inspired by our European neighbours, now offer low-level (known as E1) & zero formaldehyde MDF. Excellent news. Well done them.