Formaldehyde in School Furniture

by Tanya Chilcott
From: The Courier-Mail
October 15, 2010 12:00AM
SOMETHING IN THE AIR: Furniture that elevates the level of formaldehyde above recommended levels may not be limited to Manly State School. Source: The Courier-Mail
NEW furniture blamed for emitting elevated levels of a potentially toxic chemical in bayside classrooms could have been installed in other schools.
Consultants Parsons Brinckerhoff warned the State Government in a report that large quantities of the building material E1 MDF (medium-density fibreboard) used in desks, shelves, white boards and building materials at Manly State School had "collectively contributed" to elevated levels of formaldehyde.
It recommended formaldehyde levels be brought below 120 micrograms per cubic metre in classrooms, in line with international air quality guidelines.
Levels of up to 192 micrograms per cubic metre were found at Manly but those levels have since been reduced.
"These products have collectively contributed to formaldehyde concentrations that are greater than the concentration levels recommended (by indoor air quality benchmarks).

"It is further recommended that E1 MDF not be purchased for use in new furniture, fixtures or construction materials in schools without a protocol in place to test for indoor formaldehyde air concentrations," the report said.
Manly is one of a number of bayside state Schools of Tomorrow which have been refurbished since 2008.
Education Queensland acting deputy director-general Graham Atkins said all had similar furniture installed.
He confirmed materials containing formaldehyde were commonly used in building products.
Earlier this week he revealed another school, Wynnum West, was being treated for potentially toxic gases after complaints of a bad smell.
But he said the Manly case "appears to be anomalous . . . and the department has moved to address concerns wherever they have been raised".
"Recommendations made by Parsons Brinckerhoff in the most recent report are already being implemented by the department.
"The department has been informed that the health risks are extremely low, with only a small number of areas on some rooms at Manly State School capable of causing discomfort or an adverse reaction."
Staff have raised complaints of skin rashes, headaches and a noxious smell.