What Does Complies to California Atcm 93120 Mean?

What ATCM 93120?

California Air Resources Board (CARB) 93120 Airborne Toxic Control Measure (ATCM) for formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products | U.S. Green Building Council.

What does California formaldehyde compliant mean?

Manufacturers typically will label their products as “California 93120 Compliant for Formaldehyde” or “California Phase 2 Compliant,” although other variations may also be used. California’s CWP Regulation is one of the most stringent regulations in effect to limit formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products.

What does Phase 2 compliant mean?

The CARB phase 2 certification signifies that the product releases a low enough amount of formaldehyde to be considered safe. Any formaldehyde released by products with a CARB phase 2 compliant seal is a small enough amount that it has absolutely no risk to your health.

What is compliant for formaldehyde?

Compliant products must be labeled “California 93120 Compliant for Formaldehyde” or “California Phase 2 Compliant.” The U.S. national rule set forth by the Formaldehyde Emission Standards for Composite Wood Products Act of 2010 is consistent with California’s emission and testing standards.

Is wood composite toxic?

Composite wood may contain formaldehyde, which irritates the nose, throat, and skin and may trigger asthma. At high levels it’s a known carcinogen. Because of these concerns, formaldehyde emissions from many products have been reduced more than 80 percent from earlier levels.

What is CARB compliant composite wood?

On April 26, 2007, CARB approved a regulation to reduce formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products that are sold, supplied, used, or manufactured for sale in California. The regulation focuses on hardwood plywood (HWPW), particleboard (PB), and medium density fiberboard (MDF).

Does all wood have formaldehyde?

Wood is known to contain and emit volatile organic compounds including formaldehyde. The emission of formaldehyde from wood increases during its processing to lumber and wood-based panels (i.e., particleboard and fiberboard).

Is there formaldehyde in kitchen cabinets?

More and more homeowners are choosing formaldehyde-free kitchen cabinets. That’s because the cabinets made from pressed wood like particle board, hardwood, plywood paneling, and fiberboard typically contain formaldehyde. That’s a problem because formaldehyde is considered a VOC, or volatile organic compound.

Why is formaldehyde used in furniture?

Formaldehyde is used to make resins such as urea-formaldehyde. These resins are used in adhesives for some composite wood products (particleboard, fiberboard, and plywood) used to manufacture furniture. Formaldehyde is found in some paints, lacquers, and coatings used to manufacture wood furniture.

Is MDF banned in California?

just remember that MDF is banned in the USA–it’s a common misconception, but it’s not against any laws to import or use this material. MDF and particle board are both made from wood particles glued together with strong glue (glue).

What does Title VI compliant mean?

TSCA Title VI requires that composite wood products be tested and certified, ensuring only compliant products enter the product supply chain. • Composite wood products must be certified by an EPA-recognized third-party certifier (TPC), also called an EPA TSCA Title VI TPC.

What does E1 mean on laminate flooring?

“A laminate that has what’s called at E1 class, or rating on it denotes the lowest available for chemical content,” he added. Chudyk thinks low chemical floors are the way of the future and hopes more manufacturers start taking notice, so more homeowners can breathe easy.

What does exempt from formaldehyde regulations mean?

Exemptions to the Regulation

In the case where unmarked structural engineered wood products from APA member mills are sold into industrial applications that do not require a certification mark, the product invoice and an APA certificate of conformance can be used to identify the product as exempt.

How do you remove formaldehyde from furniture?

If it still smells like formaldehyde in house, sprinkle baking soda over the upholstery to remove lingering odors. Sprinkle the baking soda liberally over the fabric and allow it to sit for about an hour, then vacuum it away with a vacuum cleaner containing a clean air or HEPA filter.

How much formaldehyde is toxic?

The concentration of formaldehyde that is immediately dangerous to life and health is 100 ppm. Concentrations above 50 ppm can cause severe pulmonary reactions within minutes. These include pulmonary edema, pneumonia, and bronchial irritation which can result in death.

References:

1. https://www.usgbc.org/resources/california-air-resources-board-carb-93120-airborne-toxic-control-measure-atcm-formaldehyde
2. https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/sites/default/files/classic/toxics/compwood/consumer_faq.pdf
3. https://purezawood.com/carb-2-certification/
4. https://www.europeancabinets.com/news/carb-2-compliance-formaldehyde-emissions-composite-wood/
5. https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/2014-5-september-october/ask-mr-green/mr-green-should-i-avoid-products-made-composite-wood
6. https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/our-work/programs/composite-wood-products-program
7. https://bioresources.cnr.ncsu.edu/resources/understanding-of-formaldehyde-emissions-from-solid-wood-an-overview/
8. https://modernize.com/homeowner-resources/kitchen/formaldehyde-free-kitchen-cabinets
9. https://www.p65warnings.ca.gov/fact-sheets/formaldehyde-furniture-products
10. http://www.melaminepaper.com/why-is-mdf-banned-is-the-usa.html
11. https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2018-04/documents/small_entity_compliance_for_formaldehyde_standards-importers_distributors_retailers_4.20.2018.pdf
12. https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/some-laminate-floors-emit-formaldehyde-consumer-reports-1.3006949
13. https://www.apawood.org/structural-plywood-osb-exempt-from-new-formaldehyde-ruling
14. https://homeguides.sfgate.com/remove-formaldehyde-upholstered-furniture-102790.html
15. https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.1048AppC