Furniture Odor Source Analysis and Control Technology

Authors: Liu Ru, Huang Anmin, Wang Chen, Lü Bin

Institution: Research Institute of Wood Industry, Chinese Academy of Forestry

Funding Project: "Research on Health and Safety Performance Testing and Evaluation Technology of Wooden Furniture Materials" (2016YFD0600706), a key research and development project under the "13th Five-Year Plan" "Energy Saving and Consumption Reduction and Production Safety Control Technology in the Timber Industry".

Introduction

As the concept of customized furniture becomes increasingly popular, the issue of its odor is receiving more and more attention. This article provides an overview of the research progress on the odor of wooden furniture, including odor sources, influencing factors, detection methods and control technologies, and proposes suggestions for future directions of odor research.

Wood materials typically emit an odor, especially custom-made furniture, which uses a large amount of wood and is often immovable, making the odor problem more pronounced. According to my market research, in recent years, up to 1% of custom furniture companies have received customer complaints due to odor issues. While the degree of odor perception varies from person to person, and not all odors are harmful, some unpleasant odors can cause discomfort, sensory disturbances, and other serious symptoms. Addressing the odor problem of wood furniture materials can positively impact the indoor environment.

In view of this, this paper analyzes the sources, influencing factors, testing methods and control technologies of odor in wooden furniture materials, so as to provide a basis for correctly guiding consumers to understand the odor problem of furniture and to build a healthy and safe indoor environment.

1. Sources and influencing factors of odor

1.1 Source of odor

Wooden furniture, including solid wood furniture and panel furniture, almost always produces an odor. The sources of the odor include: the wood itself, surface coatings, adhesives, decorative materials, edge banding, additives, and packaging materials, which produce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, esters, ethers, aromatic hydrocarbons, terpenes, and amines.

1) Wood itself; 2) Surface coating materials; 3) Adhesives; 4) Veneer materials; 5) Edge banding strips; 6) Additives; 7) Packaging materials; 8) Other materials. In addition to the above materials, other auxiliary materials may be used in furniture.

1.2 Factors affecting odor

The odor of wooden furniture materials is related to the properties of the wood species and the structure of the board itself, as well as factors such as temperature, relative humidity, air flow, light, and storage environment.

1) Tree species; 2) Board structure; 3) Temperature; 4) Relative humidity; 5) Air velocity; 6) Light; 7) Storage environment;

2. Odor detection methods and control technologies

2.1 Classification of Odor Detection Methods

Currently, the main methods for detecting odor include subjective evaluation and objective evaluation. Although both methods can be used to assess the odor of wood materials, they also have certain limitations.

1) Subjective evaluation method

The olfactory method is currently the most widely recognized odor detection method both domestically and internationally.

The olfactory method can quickly identify the odor of a sample, but it requires a high level of professional skill from the testing personnel. The testing personnel's correct understanding and familiarity with the types of odors, as well as individual factors, can have a significant impact on the test results. They should undergo systematic training and assessment, and must not have olfactory defects, be smokers, or users of strongly scented cosmetics. Furthermore, the olfactory sense of the testing personnel should be compared regularly.

2) Objective evaluation method

It involves the qualitative and quantitative analysis of VOC gases that produce odors using scientific instruments. Currently, objective evaluation methods for VOC gas odors include headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and electronic nose technology.

Objective evaluation methods are relatively accurate in identifying and judging VOC gases, but their effectiveness is poor in identifying certain odors and odors produced by the combined effects of multiple gases. Furthermore, studies have found that high VOC concentrations in gas chromatography-mass spectrometry do not necessarily indicate the strongest odor. In addition, objective evaluation methods cannot distinguish between "benign" and "malignant" odors from wood materials.

2.2 Evaluation procedures of relevant foreign organizations

Currently, relevant organizations abroad have conducted assessments on the VOC emissions and odors of furniture made of wood, including the German Building Products Health Assessment Committee (AgBB), the Finnish Indoor Air Quality and Climate Society (FiSIAQ), the Danish Ministry of Housing and Urban Work (ICL), and the international environmental organization Natureplus.

2.3 Odor Control Technology

Based on the sources and influencing factors of odor in wooden furniture materials, the author believes that odor control can be achieved through the following aspects.

1) Control the source of the odor of wood materials.

2) Control of the production process of wood-based panels.

3) Extend the odor release time of semi-finished and finished products.

4) Environmental control during product use.

5) Develop other odor control technologies.

Conclusion

Although researchers both domestically and internationally have begun to study the odor of wood materials, some shortcomings still exist:

1) The source and mechanism of odor in wood materials are not fully understood, and the relationship (concentration, interaction, etc.) with VOCs is still undetermined; 2) The evaluation of odor in wood materials still mainly relies on subjective evaluation methods; 3) Control technologies are mostly concentrated in enterprise environmental control, and odor control technologies need to be improved; 4) There are no domestic testing standards for the odor of wood furniture materials.

Further research is needed on odor mechanisms, evaluation methods, and control technologies. In addition to subjective evaluation methods for quickly assessing the odor level of wood materials, instrumental analysis methods can be used to make qualitative and quantitative judgments for a more comprehensive understanding of odor. It is also necessary to improve the control technology of wood furniture materials and accelerate the formulation of relevant standards to enhance the environmental quality of products and promote a healthy and safe indoor environment.