EXPOSURE TO FORMALDEHYDE AND SOLVENTS IN FINNISH FURNITURE FACTORIES IN 1975–1984

Air monitoring data collected during a recent 10-yr period from Finnish furniture factories are presented. The data comprise the results of formaldehyde and solvent measurements carried out in the surface treatment (lacquering) departments of the factories. Exposure to formaldehyde, derived mainly from the binding agent of acid-cured lacquers and paints, proved to be more important than exposure to solvents when the results were compared with current exposure limits. The mean of the formaldehyde results was 1.16 ppm (range