Gone are the days when exclusively natural materials - brick, stone, wood - were used for the construction and renovation of residential premises. Some half a century ago, even finishing building materials were absolutely safe and did not raise an ounce of doubt about the admissibility of their use. Nowadays, Western technologies are increasingly being used in construction, involving the use of plasterboard, putties and wooden panels. And it is the OSB board and the health hazards from its use that cause the most heated discussions among ordinary people and specialists.

What is OSB?

OSB (oriented strand board) is a product made from natural raw materials (wood) by pressing. To produce slabs, a fine fraction (chips) is used, most often this is waste from the manufacture of other types of building materials from wood, and special adhesives.

In production, wood chips are impregnated with adhesives and resins, after which a slab of the required size, thickness and outer surface is formed.

If mostly natural wood is used for manufacturing, why is it believed that OSB boards are harmful to human health? It's all about additional substances, namely formaldehyde and other toxic chemical compounds that are used to improve the performance characteristics of the stove.

Stove is different

First of all, it is worth saying that there are significant differences in various products. Their classification occurs according to a special marker created by sanitary and epidemiological services, and is a direct guide for use. To understand which OSB boards are harmful to health, you need to know what their main difference is.

They come in four types and are marked with numbers from 1 to 4, which directly indicate how moisture-resistant and durable the board is, which means how many adhesives were used to make it.

Thus, OSB-1 has low moisture resistance (less than 20%) and is used for interior work. OSB-2 board is more durable, it can be used for sheathing structures that will bear a fairly high load, but only in dry rooms. In more humid buildings, such OSB boards are harmful to human health. Tyrsoplits OSB-3 and OSB-4 have the highest percentage of endurance in relation to a humid environment and increased loads (15 and 12%, respectively), but the percentage of released toxins is an order of magnitude higher.

In order for the slab to be stronger and resist dampness, during production more adhesives are added to it, which evaporate toxins. The content of phenols in products is strictly limited, and the manufacturer is required to indicate its quantity. It is important for the consumer to know that a stove marked E1 is safe for use inside the home. But OSB class E2 contains an increased amount of toxic compounds, its use is limited to non-residential buildings or external cladding of buildings.

Does it make a difference who produces?

In our country it is generally accepted that everything Western is better, more reliable and safer. In fact, it is not always possible to judge so categorically. The most important thing is that the products have quality certificates and, importantly, comply with them. It is in this regard that the products of European countries, the USA and Canada differ from domestic ones.

To determine safety, you need to study the markings that the OSB board carries. Harm to human health will be determined by the compliance of the designations and the place of use (indoor or outdoor).

It should be noted that even in Western countries there are different standards. Production has reached such a high level that the release of phenol-formaldehyde substances is reduced to a minimum.

In the USA and Canada, it is customary to erect buildings using the frame method, often using OSB boards as walls and partitions. Harm to human health is taken into account, and for this purpose different types of slabs are used for interior and exterior work.

Thus, panels for cladding house facades, roofs, and floors are thicker, have a ribbed surface and are a little more expensive.

In Europe, such samples are not produced, but they very strictly monitor the use of various types of slabs, prohibiting some classes for the construction of residential buildings.

Impact on the body

Many people wonder what harm an OSB board can cause to human health. The effects of the vapors emitted by it, which are invisible to the eye, are nevertheless very serious.

Constantly inhaling air containing phenol has a number of negative consequences. This compound is a carcinogen that poisons all systems of the human body.

Irritations on the skin and in the respiratory tract are only the first signs of poisoning by toxic fumes. Constant stay in such an environment provokes serious diseases of the heart, nervous system, and oncology.

These diseases manifest themselves with various symptoms. It is worth paying attention to the interior of the room, as well as the materials from which the house is built, if family members often complain of poor health, nausea, dizziness, and lethargy. All these may be symptoms of phenol-formaldehyde vapor poisoning. Therefore, sometimes an OSB board is a source of danger to human health.

Identification of phenol sources

Only specialists can conduct a full examination of the air, as well as interior items and other sources that may contain hazardous substances. Their job is to perform a chemical analysis of the air and the impurities in it.

It is worth mentioning right away that it is not always the OSB board that is the culprit of all troubles. Elements containing phenol can be found even in objects that seem quite safe at first glance. This could be furniture, textiles (carpets made from non-natural materials), decorative elements and even children's toys.

In order to reduce the cost of their products, manufacturers, alas, do not disdain using any means to achieve their goals, and therefore very often cheap things are fraught with danger - this is a harsh reality.

How to reduce the impact of harmful substances on the body

If OSB board is used in construction, it is necessary to choose high-quality products where a minimum amount of chemicals was used during the production process. Additional means of protection are methods that are accessible and simple to everyone.

First of all, it is necessary to create stable conditions. Elevated temperatures increase the release of vapors. The humidity level in the room also matters. Phenol dissolves in water, so when the tyrsoplita gets wet, its release increases. It is better to use samples treated with special primers for rooms where flooding or high levels of moisture in the air are possible.

It is not recommended to cover rooms with poor ventilation with OSB boards. No matter how safe the material is, it still emits and even in small concentrations they affect the human body. Regular ventilation can reduce the presence of various chemical compounds in the air to acceptable limits.

Is there a safe OSB board?

There are OSB boards made without phenol on the market. Is there any harm to health from it? Of course, it is impossible to vouch for all the products of wood processing plants. It is not yet possible to connect small particles of wood together so that they have increased resistance to stress and climate change.

Some manufacturers, indeed, do not use formaldehyde in their adhesives, but this does not mean that other substances, which have not been fully studied and are not subject to inspection by sanitary services, are safer.

A characteristic feature of chemical compounds of the phenol group is that they can be released for years. The situation where evaporation exists for some time and then disappears is unrealistic with phenols. Chemicals will be released into the air and then into the body throughout its entire lifespan.

Benefits of use

No matter how toxic and dangerous OSB boards are, their use is gaining momentum both abroad and in the CIS countries. This is explained quite simply.

Economic benefits, ease of use, durability of wood-based panels are very serious advantages. What other strengths does this building material have?

• versatility - slabs are used to cover walls, lay floors and use them as roofing material;
• durability - with proper installation, OSB is not susceptible to moisture, corrosion, crumbling, there is no danger that rodents and microorganisms will grow in the slabs;
• simplicity in construction - this material is easy to cut, fasten, it is not heavy, so complex and expensive equipment is not required for its transportation and further use.

conclusions

To summarize, I would like to find out: is it true that OSB boards are harmful to health? There is no doubt that this material should be treated with caution, carefully study who produced it and under what conditions, what materials were used for this. But by approaching the issue with all responsibility and care, it is quite possible to completely protect your home from the harmful effects of formaldehyde. This is confirmed by the rich practice of its use over many years and its steadily growing popularity among builders.

Over the past 17 years, due to the destruction of the unified national system of sanitary and hygienic control over the use of polymer materials in construction, a flow of toxic and highly toxic building materials has poured into Russia, the mass use of which causes serious harm to the health of millions of people. Particularly dangerous materials and structures include the so-called sandwich panels, which have appeared in the Russian Federation since 2000, and houses made from these panels, which in our country have received the general name “Canadian house-building technology.” The technology for producing sandwich panels consists of gluing expanded polystyrene (EPS) plates with OSB boards to obtain a 3-layer structure. The thickness of the PPS layer ranges from 100 to 200 mm, and the layers are bonded mainly using polyurethane adhesives.

The dangers of using polystyrene foam are a topic for a separate discussion (but about the harmfulness OSB boards(Orient Strand Board, board with oriented flat chips) will be discussed further.

From history and technology
The first true OSB board was produced in 1982 in Alberta (Canada) at the Edison-OSB plant, then owned by Pelican Products Limited. The first OSB boards appeared in our country in 1986. At one of the enterprises of the Byelorussian SSR, the first Soviet workshop for the production of oriented strand boards was organized. But in the late 80s of the last century, after a scandal involving the poisoning of people with formaldehyde, these slabs were banned for use in construction in the USSR. The ban came from the USSR Ministry of Health, and the proposal for the ban was made by the “Interdepartmental Committee on Sanitary and Hygienic Regulation of the Use of Polymer Materials in Construction and Transport.” This ban is still in effect.
OSB boards differ from conventional chipboards in the oriented arrangement of chips in the layers, which provides them with significantly greater strength compared to chipboards, and from the point of view of sanitary chemistry and environmental characteristics, OSB boards and chipboards are no different - in both cases the same types are used as a binder resins as a binder.

For the manufacture of OSB, small-sized and non-commercial coniferous wood is used, the rapid growth of which provides inexpensive raw materials. The chips used in the slabs are glued together under extremely high temperatures and pressure with resins with the addition of synthetic wax. The use of wax ensures high quality products. The addition of boric acid salt increases the protective properties of the slab. OSB is easy to distinguish from other types of wood-based panels due to the relatively large and long shavings from which it is made. A distinctive feature of OSB is that the chips in the layers of the board have an orientation. Typically, chips in the outer layers are oriented longitudinally, while chips in the inner layer are oriented transversely. Most often, OSB has three or four layers - two external and one (two) internal. It should be noted that the orientation of chips in the outer layers is not always obvious, especially on small slabs. However, it is precisely due to the orientation of the chips in the layers that in its physical and mechanical properties OSB is close to plywood and is several times superior in properties to chipboard and MDF.

urea-formaldehyde or melamine-formaldehyde urea-formaldehyde phenol-formaldehyde resin. Urea-formaldehyde resins, due to their good adhesion to wood and their low cost, are currently the most popular product for the woodworking industry. The resin concentration ranges from 12 to 14% by weight of the original composition. All these resins are highly toxic. But if the first three types of resins, when used in finished chipboard and OSB boards, emit into the indoor air formaldehyde And methanol phenol.

SOURCES AND REASONS FOR CONSTANT RELEASE OF FORMALDEHYDE FROM WOOD BOARD MATERIALS
Residual formaldehyde in formaldehyde resins.
During the synthesis of formaldehyde resins, the polycondensation of formaldehyde with urea does not proceed to completion and stops at the equilibrium stage, at which the formaldehyde resin as a commercial product contains 0.1..0.5% of the mass parts of formaldehyde. During the production of wood-based materials, residual formaldehyde is sorbed on wood particles and released into the environment during operation.

The situation with residual formaldehyde is also aggravated by the fact that in the original formaldehyde and in “concentrates” containing an aqueous solution of formaldehyde and urea, part of the formaldehyde is not contained in free form, but in the form of oligomeric compounds with water - oligomethylene glycols and is not detected by conventional methods for determining free formaldehyde:
In the processes of pressing wood-based materials at temperatures from 160°C to 175°C, these oligomers are destroyed and release free formaldehyde, which also enters the mass of the wood-based material.

Cleavage of free formaldehyde from cured formaldehyde resin during production.
In accordance with the literature data, cured formaldehyde resin is prone to thermal destruction and, starting from a temperature of 155°C (according to other data 135°C), free formaldehyde is actively eliminated due to the destruction of methylol groups and methylene ether bonds. At the same time, as mentioned above, the temperature regime for pressing wood-based board materials lies in the range of 160°..175°C, and in the surface layers of the material adjacent to the press plates, the cured formaldehyde resins intensively split off formaldehyde.

Constant release of formaldehyde during operation.
In addition to the above factors that lead to the release of formaldehyde, it is very important to note that even under normal operating conditions, cured formaldehyde resins continuously release formaldehyde through the decomposition of methylol groups and methylene ether bonds.

Toxic effect of formaldehyde on the human body
In industry, formaldehyde is produced by the oxidation of methyl alcohol with atmospheric oxygen and the presence of catalysts, therefore industrial formaldehyde always contains methyl alcohol impurities.

The admixture of methyl alcohol increases the toxicity of urea-formaldehyde resins used as a binder in wood-based panels. According to toxicologists, formaldehyde has an irritating effect on mucous membranes and skin, and has a strong effect on the central nervous system, especially on the visual organs and retina (especially in the presence of methyl alcohol). Inhibits the synthesis of nucleic acids, disrupts the metabolism of vitamin C, has mutagenic properties, and irritates the upper respiratory tract. The odor threshold for formaldehyde is in the range of 0.07–0.4 mg/m3.

Regardless of the route of entry into the human body, formaldehyde is quickly and completely absorbed and, in particular, accumulates in the bone marrow. In the body, formaldehyde is converted into formic acid and methanol; this reaction occurs most completely in the liver. Since the mid-70s of the last century, information about the carcinogenicity of formaldehyde began to appear in the sanitary-toxicological literature, and as a result, in 2004, formaldehyde was officially recognized as a direct carcinogen and included in the list of carcinogenic substances of the World Health Organization of the United Nations.

In the 80s of the last century, a major scandal erupted in European countries, the USA and the USSR associated with the poisoning of people with formaldehyde released from foamed urea-formaldehyde resin, which was used as thermal insulation in low-rise housing construction. It was during this period that the use of residential construction of the specified thermal insulation (“Penoizol”), as well as particle boards and plywood. During this period, the average daily maximum permissible concentration of formaldehyde in the air of populated areas was MPC = 0.003 mg/m3 (previously it was 0.010 mg/m3). This strict standard already took into account the carcinogenicity data of formaldehyde. In the early 90s, those countries of Western Europe where great attention is paid to protecting public health (Germany, Finland, Sweden), the use of materials that emit formaldehyde in housing construction was prohibited. The use of OSB boards is also prohibited.

conclusions
In conclusion, it is very important to note that modern studies of OSB boards have shown the formaldehyde content in the surrounding air at 20°C - 0.067 mg/m3, i.e. 22 times higher than MPC!!! And at 40°C the concentration of formaldehyde in the air was 0.23 mg/m3, i.e. 76 times higher than MPC!!! At the same time, we note that the research was carried out not by a random company, but by the Federal State Health Institution “Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology” in the Omsk region.
However, the unacceptably high level of release of carcinogenic formaldehyde from OSB boards is not the only environmental hazard. As mentioned above, “Canadian” designs, where between 2 OSB boards they contain an expanded polystyrene liner with a thickness of 100 to 200 mm. This liner poses no less environmental hazard than OSB boards, because... releases a substance no less dangerous to humans - styrene. Therefore, houses made from such structures cannot be called anything other than “gas chambers for people.”

P.S. An abbreviated article by V.V. Maltseva, deputy gene. Director for Science of JSC Giprolesprom, Doctor of Chemical Sciences, Academician of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences.

I am interested in the opinion of the interested community and assessments of market prospects, if research data is reflected in legislative acts, and OSB boards actually become banned in housing construction, at least for internal structures.

Some building materials are not as harmless as they seem at first glance. And we’re not just talking about toxic varnishes and paints - even boards made of pressed chips contain compounds that can harm human health. Is it so? Among numerous disputes and differing opinions, it is difficult to see the truth and figure out whether OSB boards are actually harmful to health.

What are OSB boards

Oriented particle boards (OSB or OSB) are a popular finishing material that is widely used in construction and renovation. They cover floors and walls, use them as a backing for linoleum, as a leveling coating for floors and partitions between rooms. OSB boards are even used for finishing - after varnishing they look original and unusual. How can they be harmful?

The very basis of OSB boards is wood shavings, which simply cannot harm human health, since wood is a completely environmentally friendly product. The fact is that glue, which contains resins, is used as a binding material for the chip component. To give the board strength, it is pressed at a high temperature of 200 C, as a result of which formaldehyde is released from the resin. But are they as harmful as some claim?

Harmfulness of formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is a colorless gas with an unpleasant odor. If it enters the body in large quantities or if this substance is constantly inhaled over a long period of time, there is a risk of the following reactions:

• a sharp impairment of visual acuity, up to its complete loss;
• depressive states and causeless nervous disorders;
• dizziness, spastic headaches and migraines;
• allergic reactions, feeling of lack of air and asthmatic attacks.

Such symptoms can appear either abruptly or gradually - it all depends on how much formaldehyde enters the respiratory tract. One way or another, inhaling this gas in high concentrations is harmful and dangerous to health, especially for children, which is why it is so important to check the quality of the selected finishing materials.

Modern technology for the production of OSB boards

Responsible manufacturers who value their reputation claim that modern OSB boards are of high quality, since they do not gain strength by pressing the particle material after joining it with phenol-formaldehyde resins. Gaining the strength of a slab is a long process, it takes more than one month, and the substance that binds the chips is not so toxic.

Today, OSB sheets are not made from wood chip production waste, as was the case before. It is based on modified wood, and in terms of production cost, a high-quality product can be compared with the production of laminated veneer lumber.

The fact is that many people to this day mistakenly believe that the technology for manufacturing OSB boards was invented in order to compensate for the lack of finishing materials. In fact, particle boards were invented to save energy resources, and a truly high-quality certified product is very expensive.

In this case, we can say that the harmfulness of formaldehyde is exaggerated. After polymerization of the resins, the slab is tested with special instruments that do not detect harmful gases, subject to strict technological standards.

How to choose the most harmless product

In fact, as for OSB boards, you shouldn’t be so afraid of them. If you carefully study the composition of the finishing element and make sure of its quality, then there will be no harm to the body after their installation. In addition, modern technologies for the production of boards still differ from those that were used in Soviet times for the production of chipboard sheets. By giving preference to materials made in accordance with European standards, you don’t have to worry about your health.

Preference should be given to slabs produced according to the European standard E1. Sheets with this marking contain only 8 mm of formaldehyde per 100 g of dry weight. Such an amount is unable to have a negative effect on a person. Domestic OSB contains up to 10 g of colorless gas, but this is not critical.

You can also see lower quality products on the construction market. Boards manufactured to less stringent standards, such as E2. It is better to avoid such products, especially if you plan to arrange a children's room, since the formaldehyde content in them is 30 g or higher. But they can also be used for other purposes.

Checking the quality of the product is not difficult at all - just ask the seller for a certificate for the product. This document contains all the necessary information and indicates the standard according to which the slab was manufactured.

Which manufacturers should you prefer?

OSB boards made in China are considered the lowest quality. These products are the most harmful to health, as they are manufactured using simplified technology. Such boards are made of cheap materials, and the glue used to bind the chips contains highly toxic resins that emit phenols and formaldehydes that are harmful to humans. Unfortunately, Russian stove manufacturers also often deviate from technology and the quality of their products leaves much to be desired.

If you believe the reviews, then among well-established companies producing OSB boards, the EGGER brand is considered one of the leaders. Its representatives claim that the emission of formaldehyde from the sheets they produce is so small that it is on a level with the natural release of this substance from wood, because it also exists in small quantities in natural materials.

How not to make a mistake when buying an OSB board

Of course, there are plenty of money-hungry charlatans now. Not everyone can vouch with a clear conscience for the quality of the products offered - there are many underground and cheap manufacturers. Recently, it has become popular among such irresponsible sellers to offer cheap and toxic materials under the guise of famous brand products. How to protect yourself and buy a certified product from a serious company that sells building materials?

Unscrupulous manufacturers and sellers can be found at every step, so you need to be able to determine the quality of finishing materials yourself. Before purchasing you need to make sure of the following:

• products have a quality certificate with original blue seals;
• the product packaging is not damaged, serious manufacturers put markings on its surface and put information about the product inside;
• OSB sheet should not have a pronounced smell of cheap plastic and chemical impurities.

If the product has passed such a test, then it does not pose any harm to health and you can safely use it for interior decoration.

When the goal is to purchase a product that will not cause harm to health, it is worth understanding that such products are unlikely to be found on the market. Even online you can come across scammers selling counterfeits. Only large construction supermarkets usually offer a sufficient number of certified products from trusted brands.

You may have to pay a little more, but no amount of money can buy health, especially since the pricing policy of the markets is already catching up with large retail stores.

How to protect yourself after purchasing low-quality products

When you plan to cover a garage or any outdoor space with OSB sheets, you don’t need to worry about harmful substances - in the absence of heating devices, harmful substances will practically not poison the air. As for the interior, the situation here is somewhat different, since a person spends much more time there. Formaldehyde will still be released, albeit in small quantities, so it is better to protect yourself and your loved ones from their influence as much as possible. It is enough to follow these recommendations:

• paint the OSB board in several layers - this will stop the transport of gases from the stove to the room;
• pasting the product with wallpaper or special paper;
• finishing elements with tiles or ceramic tiles;
• Puttying the surface of the slab and then covering it with wallpaper.

In order to make sure that the slabs are as harmless as possible, they can be exposed to fresh air by laying one on top of the other and placing bars under each. It is best to do this in the summer - then the slabs will heat up, and the lion's share of formaldehyde will be released from them even before installation. It is better to carry out such ventilation for at least two days, and after it you can safely install the sheets and not be afraid of hazardous gas entering the air, which can harm your health.

The health hazards of such an important building material as OSB boards have been discussed for a long time. This is due to production technology, which involves the use of special synthetic resins for polymerization of layers. It is they, according to some researchers, that are the source of toxic substances, which, according to measurements in premises, exceed permissible standards.

It should be noted that OSB boards are not only a structural material from which partitions and cladding can be made, but are also often used for the manufacture of furniture. European manufacturers who comply with the E1 environmental protocol claim that finishing interior spaces with their products is completely safe. Let's look at the details of the technological process and the percentage of toxins that enter the room during operation of the stoves.

Production process - what are the potential hazards of synthetic resins?

To understand are they harmful to health? OSB boards available for sale, it is worth understanding the production features in more detail. The structural rigidity of this type of material is several times greater than that of durable types of wood. It should be taken into account that the products have a budget price and are made largely from natural raw materials. The subject of dispute among experts is the composition that is used to polymerize the chips.

Each OSB board is a multilayer structure. The direction of the chippings in one layer is perpendicular to the direction of the other layer. Thanks to this, the material has excellent fracture properties. The use of synthetic resins causes the acquisition of “additional” rigidity by oriented strand materials, as well as “zero” bioavailability. OSB is not affected by fungus, mold and insects.

These qualities, along with their affordable cost, have made these slabs leaders in the modern construction market, especially frame and private house construction. The sheets are used for the construction of reliable structures and are used as formwork in SIP panels. For external purposes, special types of resins are used that provide moisture resistance.

OSB production is based on the following polymers:

• melamine-formaldehyde synthetic wax used to bond the outer layers
• urea-formaldehyde resin used for the inner layers of the slab.

Some manufacturers use phenol-formaldehydes in production, which in theory, along with formaldehyde, emit toxic phenol. These substances were part of the chipboard of the USSR period, now this technology has been completely changed, and also meets modern environmental safety requirements.

What are melamine, urea and phenol formaldehyde?

The principle of “working” of the synthetic resins included in OSB is the high adhesive properties of the glue and its subsequent irreversible polymerization (transition from a fluid to a solid state). Modern polymers have a structure that is indestructible by conventional methods; this quality is called cohesive strength. With the “correct” OSB adhesive composition, the board does not change its characteristics when exposed to temperature or the addition of solvents. It is this quality that makes it possible to achieve water resistance of the polymer adhesive and the resulting product.

When individual components, for example, phenol and formaldehyde, interact, low-molecular structures are formed - resoles, which during polymerization change their structure from linear (branched) to spatial, reminiscent of a crystal lattice. The process of thickening the glue includes a gradual transition of resols into resitols with a rare spatial lattice, then into resits having a spatial lattice with frequent molecular connections (polymers).

Thus, phenols, formaldehyde, urea, melamine in the resin composition are not only in a state bound by a chemical compound, but also have a spatial structure. The release of pure substances from the spatial lattice is difficult, and when the formulation is improved, it is minimized as much as possible. In their free state, the substances that make up synthetic resin also have limited toxicity. Taken together, it cannot even be theoretically assumed that OSB boards are harmful to health.

Melamine is widely used in the production of resins and tannins; the carcinogenic properties of melamine-formaldehyde resins are minimal; the substance is approved for the manufacture of food utensils. Some toxicity is observed in pure melamine; sponges are produced on its basis for household use; they are not used for washing dishes. The toxicity of melamine is low, but the use of products containing it is not recommended.

Urea is a substance widely used in agriculture, cosmetics production, and industry. Urea is found in the human body and is involved in cellular metabolism. When used in the production of OSB boards, it imparts increased adhesive properties to the layers, facilitating the establishment of strong connections in multilayer structures.

Phenol is a substance that is highly toxic to people and the environment. At the same time, the amino acid tyrosine, which is essential for humans, is also a derivative of phenol. The toxicity of this substance decreases with the formation of stable chemical compounds. Used in the production of polycarbonate, epoxy paints and resins. During hydrogenation it becomes nylon and nylon. It is used to disinfect animals and is included in cosmetics and medicines as a preservative. In case of poisoning in significant quantities, it is absorbed through the skin and causes paralysis of the respiratory center.

Formaldehyde is part of many solvents, including technical formalin. It is used in agriculture for fumigation of grain before winter storage and transportation. Used in the food and cosmetics industries as a preservative, registered under food code E240. Safe in an amount of 0.5%, used in anti-sweating products. In an amount of 0.05% it is freely used in the food and cosmetics industries for disinfection of compositions. It exhibits toxicity only upon contact with human skin in excess quantities.

From the given characteristics it becomes clear that the toxic effect on the human body of the resins that make up OSB is extremely small. This is confirmed by hygienic certificates of the Russian Federation for products, which large factories receive for the purpose of supplying to the market of the Russian Federation. OSB boards from European and American manufacturers have passed the so-called “children's” certification.

However, the assumption that OSB is completely safe for adults and children does not apply to products with dubious origins and fake quality certificates, which is typical for many Asian manufacturers. If there are doubts about the quality of the OSB board and the manufacturer’s compliance with environmental safety standards, it is better to use such products for exterior finishing.

Manufacturer Warranties and Research

If you read negative reviews about using OSB products, pay attention to the manufacturer of the board. According to computer analysis by Egger, after complete polymerization of the adhesive, formaldehyde emissions from the finished boards are not detected by high-precision instruments. According to American regulations (one of the most stringent modern standards), SIP panels can emit up to 0.1 ppm (10-6, one millionth) of formaldehyde. This figure is several orders of magnitude less than the permissible safe concentration.

According to European OSB standards, the boards comply with the safety standards of the E1 protocol, which allows emissions of up to 0.1 ppm. For comparison, plywood is classified as E2. It is allowed to make children's furniture from OSB boards made according to the E1 standard.

According to studies, OSB-3 boards emit formaldehyde in the same amount as wood. According to in-house requirements, an OSB board from Kronospan, Egger can emit up to 0.03 ppm, conditionally meeting the non-existent E0 standard.

If you have doubts about the quality or delivery of the selected products, inquire about the manufacturer’s quality certificates and environmental safety studies. This will help form a final opinion about the nature of the use of particle boards for interior decoration.

Harmfulness is not confirmed

Factories producing OSB products are highly equipped computerized production facilities. At each stage, various parameters are monitored, especially those related to environmental safety. European standards are considered one of the most stringent, and product testing is carried out by research institutes that guarantee the objectivity of their assessment.

From this we can conclude that OSB, which has stable factory specifications, is completely safe for health and can be used in cladding children's rooms and making furniture. If in doubt, check the manufacturer's certifications and the standards they refer to. European and American manufacturers, as well as their authorized dealers, sell guaranteed safe and high-quality products.

OSB BOARD is a source of danger to human health.

Over the past 17 years, due to the destruction of the unified national system of sanitary and hygienic control over the use of polymer materials in construction, a flow of toxic and highly toxic building materials has poured into Russia, the mass use of which causes serious harm to the health of millions of people.

Particularly dangerous materials and structures include the so-called sandwich panels, which have appeared in the Russian Federation since 2000, and houses made from these panels, which have received general recognition in our country the name "Canadian house-building technology". The technology for producing sandwich panels consists of gluing expanded polystyrene (EPS) plates with OSB boards to obtain a 3-layer structure. The thickness of the PPS layer is from 100 to 200 mm, and the layers are glued mainly using polyurethane adhesives.

The dangers of using polystyrene foam are a topic for a separate discussion, but about the harmfulness OSB boards(Orient Strand Board, translated as a plate with oriented flat chips) will be discussed in this article.

OSB - BOARD WITH ORIENTED FLAT CHIP

OSB boards differ from conventional chipboards in the oriented arrangement of chips in the layers, which provides them with significantly greater strength compared to chipboards, and from the point of view of sanitary chemistry and environmental characteristics, OSB boards and chipboards are no different - in both cases the same types are used as a binder resins as a binder.

In accordance with the production technology of OSB boards, different types of resins are most often used for the inner and outer layers. Moreover, for the outer layer an adhesive mixture based on urea-formaldehyde or melamine-formaldehyde resin, while for the inner layer is used urea-formaldehyde resin, but can also be used phenol-formaldehyde resin. Urea-formaldehyde resins, due to their good adhesion to wood and their low cost, are currently the most popular product for the woodworking industry. All these resins are highly toxic. But if the first three types of resins, when used in finished chipboard and OSB boards, emit into the indoor air formaldehyde And methanol, which are highly toxic substances and are present in indoor air in concentrations that significantly exceed the maximum permissible average daily concentrations for ambient air and indoor air (MPCss). Then phenol-formaldehyde resin also releases phenol.

REFERENCE INFORMATION

Formaldehyde- a colorless flammable gas with a pungent irritating odor.

Formaldehyde is highly toxic, has an allergenic, mutagenic and carcinogenic effect, and can provoke skin diseases and diseases of internal organs. Formaldehyde is listed carcinogenic substances(causes the appearance of nasopharyngeal cancer and degenerative processes in parenchymal organs), negatively affects genetic material, reproductive organs, respiratory tract, eyes, skin.

It has a strong effect on the central nervous system, which is associated with the presence of methanol impurities in technical formaldehyde and the conversion of formaldehyde in the human body into methanol and formic acid. There is evidence that formaldehyde can lead to leukemia.

The maximum permissible concentration in atmospheric air is 0.003 mg/m 3, in the water of domestic water bodies 0.05 mg/l.

Methanol (methyl alcohol, wood alcohol, carbinol, methyl hydrate, methyl hydroxide) is the simplest monohydric alcohol, a colorless poisonous liquid. In organic chemistry, methanol is used as a solvent.

In organic synthesis, methanol is used to produce formaldehyde and formaldehyde, acetic acid, a number of esters, isoprene, etc. The largest amount is used for the production of formaldehyde, which is used for the production of phenol-formaldehyde resins. Significant quantities are used in the paint and varnish industry for the production of solvents in the production of varnishes. Due to the high speed of flame propagation of the air mixture and high evaporation temperature, it is used to refuel racing motorcycles and cars.

In many countries, methanol is used as a denaturing additive to ethanol in the production of perfumes. In Russia, the use of methanol in consumer products is prohibited.

Methanol is a poison that affects the nervous and vascular systems. The toxic effect of methanol is based on damage to the nervous and vascular systems. The toxic effect of methanol is due to the so-called “lethal synthesis” - metabolic oxidation in the body to very toxic formaldehyde. As a rule, it leads to vision impairment and blindness. Ingestion of 5-10 ml of methanol leads to severe poisoning (one of the consequences is blindness), and 30 ml or more leads to death.

Phenol- colorless needle-shaped crystals that turn pink in air due to oxidation, leading to colored products. They have a specific gouache smell.

Phenol is used in the production of phenol-formaldehyde plastics, synthetic nylon fiber, dyes, pesticides, and medications (aspirin, salol). Phenol is poisonous. Phenol in the form of vapor or dust irritates the mucous membranes of the eyes, respiratory tract, and skin. With one-time or irregular exposure to small doses of phenol, fatigue, dizziness, headache, decreased immunity, and exacerbation of allergic reactions are observed. With regular exposure to phenol vapors, they lead to chronic liver and kidney diseases.

TOXIC EFFECT OF FORMALDEHYDE ON THE HUMAN BODY

In industry, formaldehyde is produced by the oxidation of methyl alcohol with atmospheric oxygen and the presence of catalysts, therefore industrial formaldehyde always contains methyl alcohol impurities

The admixture of methyl alcohol increases the toxicity of urea-formaldehyde resins used as a binding material in wood boards. According to toxicologists, formaldehyde has an irritating effect on mucous membranes and skin, has a strong effect on the central nervous system, especially on the visual organs and retina of the eyes (especially when present together). methyl alcohol). Inhibits the synthesis of nucleic acids, disrupts the metabolism of vitamin C, has mutagenic properties, and irritates the upper respiratory tract. The odor threshold for formaldehyde is in the range of 0.07-0.4 mg/m3.

Regardless of the route of entry into the human body, formaldehyde is quickly and completely absorbed and, in particular, accumulates in the bone marrow. In the body, formaldehyde is converted into formic acid and methanol; this reaction occurs most completely in the liver.

In the early 90s, those countries of Western Europe where great attention is paid to protecting public health (Germany, Finland, Sweden), the use of materials that emit formaldehyde in housing construction was prohibited. The use of OSB boards is also prohibited.

In October 2006, at a conference on wooden house-building, held as part of the International Exhibition “Lesdrevmash-2006”, a representative of a Finnish house-building company was asked the question: “Are OSB boards used in house-building in Finland?” The answer was: “OSB boards are produced in Finland and other Western European countries, but are not used in construction, but are exported to the USA, Canada and Russia!!!

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, it is very important to note that modern studies of OSB boards have shown the formaldehyde content in the surrounding air at 20°C - 0.067 mg/m3, i.e. 22 times higher than MPC!!! And at 40°C the concentration of formaldehyde in the air was 0.23 mg/m3, i.e. 76 times higher than MPC!!! At the same time, we note that the research was carried out not by a random company, but by the Federal State Health Institution “Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology”.

Thus, the illegal return of wood-based materials with formaldehyde resins as a binder to construction in the Russian Federation is completely unacceptable. If these facts are ignored, serious damage to the health of thousands of people will be caused!!!

However, the unacceptably high level of release of carcinogenic formaldehyde from OSB boards is not the only environmental hazard. As mentioned above, “Canadian” structures, where between 2 slabs OSB contains a polystyrene foam liner with a thickness of 100 to 200 mm. This liner poses no less environmental hazard than OSB boards, because... releases a substance no less dangerous to humans - styrene. Therefore, houses made from such structures cannot be called anything other than “gas chambers for people.”

Oriented strand board has recently appeared on the construction market - it has replaced the previously popular chipboard. The material has outstanding technical data, thanks to its multilayer structure and special manufacturing technology. Information with specific numbers will help you understand the characteristics of the material and its level of safety.

Accurate knowledge of the technical characteristics of the OSB board and the level of its harmfulness will help to understand how advisable its use in construction is. The raw material used in the manufacture of strand board is large sized wood shavings. It is bonded using waterproof phenol or formaldehyde resin under pressure and high temperature.

OSB boards are made from large-sized wood chips

The predecessor of this material is chipboard. Their main difference is the arrangement of chips in the layers. OSB is characterized by a transverse direction in the inner part and a longitudinal direction on the outside. A total of three or four layers are made, alternating the direction of the particles. This allows you to achieve special strength parameters. As a result, chipboard is gradually replacing its more progressive counterpart.

The chips underlying the oriented slab have a length of 7.5 to 15 cm. The norm for the width and thickness of internal particles is 1-1.2 cm, 0.5-0.8 mm, respectively. Smaller chips are sifted out and used to produce less durable chipboard. Pine or aspen are used as raw materials. Modern equipment and the latest technologies make it possible to achieve maximum uniformity of the slab composition in all directions. High-quality material has no cracks, voids or chips.

Depending on strength, manufacturers divide products into main classes:

• OSB 1 - belongs to the low class. The area of ​​their use is dry rooms and structures that are not subject to special loads, for example, cladding or furniture.
• OSB 2 is a medium strength class. They can be used both as cladding and for load-bearing structures, but in dry rooms. For example, these could be partitions inside a room.
• OSB 3 – high class. Operation under good load and high humidity is possible. External cladding of the building.
• OSB 4 – the board has special strength characteristics: it is designed for a humid environment and constant intense mechanical stress. Cladding of houses without additional cladding.

In addition to the alphanumeric classification, there are separate types of oriented strand boards:

• Laminated – additionally treated with laminate components. The characteristics of OSB boards make it possible to successfully use it for covering floors and making furniture. They can be used to make interior partitions and be used for formwork several times.
• Grooved - grooves and protrusions are applied to the ends of such slabs. By driving them into each other, a tight connection without gaps is obtained.
• Lacquered - used in the furniture industry.

The tongue-and-groove slabs have recesses and protrusions at the ends for a tight connection with each other

The material can be produced either with or without coating. As a facial treatment, paint, anti-moisture and anti-fire compounds, and bioprotection are used.

Production technology and scope of application of OSB boards

Understanding the manufacturing processes of oriented strand boards will help you better understand how and where they can be used and what the benefits of this material are. Production stages:

1. 1. Selection of raw materials. At this stage, the trunks of thin non-commercial trees are sorted.
2. 2. Cutting. Selected trees are cut into small pieces, which then serve as blanks.
3. 3. Grinding. The blanks are placed in a special machine that chops the wood into chips. It spills onto the conveyor belt. The size of the chips can be adjusted depending on what kind of slab you need to get.
4. 4. Drying.
5. 5. Sorting of wood chips. Small chips are separated from large ones.
6. 6. Gluing. A binding element – ​​phenol or isocyanate – is added to selected chips of the required size. It gives the future building material moisture resistance and strength. Paraffin is added to the mixture, and it is all mixed in a special drum.
7. 7. Formation of the slab. The chips are stacked in layers. The machine does this using scales and magnets.
8. 8. Pressing. The resulting tape is subjected to a pressure of 5N/mm2 at high temperature. The elements adhere firmly to each other, resulting in a single slab. After cooling, pieces of the desired size are cut from it.

The range of applications for OSB is wide:

• OSB-4, due to its strength and moisture resistance, is used for the construction of frame houses and outbuildings. The material produces inexpensive temporary housing.
• Arrangement is the best option for an oriented slab. It holds shelves with heavy objects, racks, and heating radiators well.
• The building material is used to cover walls, ceilings and floors during the interior decoration of buildings. A perfectly flat, smooth surface is convenient for plastering, painting, and wallpapering.
• A large area of ​​application is the furniture industry, packaging production. Strength, low price and low weight make oriented strand boards suitable for the manufacture of upholstered and cabinet furniture, and shipping containers.

The material is used in combination with both wooden and metal structures.

This material is widespread in construction due to its attractive properties from the point of view of the builder.

Thanks to the large chips in the composition, OSB boards perfectly hold any fasteners

• OSB is easy to process - in order to work with them, it is enough to have a standard set of carpenter's tools on hand. The slab can be sanded, cut, planed, sawed. It will not crumble or break if holes are punched or drilled in it.
• Large chips provide high retention capacity. Thanks to its contents, nails can be driven into the slab at a distance of six millimeters from the edge. The plate holds any fasteners well without chipping. You can use wood glue to secure it.
• The average density of the slab is 640 kg/m3. This also includes the strength of the material, which depends on elasticity:

• Moisture resistance is the level of thickness swelling after the slab has been in water for 24 hours. The table shows the percentage of the total volume:

• Fire safety. Since the slabs are made of wood chips, they are easily ignited and burn well. For this reason, it is recommended to use OSB in combination with non-combustible insulation or cladding materials. For example, mineral wool or metal siding.

During construction, it is better to use non-flammable insulation or cladding materials

OSB is convenient to use in construction, but together with durable load-bearing structures and fire protection. The high level of elasticity of the slabs allows them to withstand earthquakes well. Compared to stone, they are superior in this regard. Disadvantages include the need to use a respirator during installation and processing to protect against small chips and emitted fumes from the resin.

Hazard level of OSB boards for human health

Sellers boldly call this material environmentally friendly. At the same time, you can find a lot of information that NDEs are terribly harmful to health. It is not difficult to understand the essence of the issue. The composition of oriented boards includes types of resins:

• phenol-formaldehyde;
• melamine-formaldehyde;
• urea-formaldehyde.

They are obtained synthetically and give the slabs high-tech properties. OSB will be hazardous to health during further use as a building material if the rules of manufacturing technique are not followed. To avoid purchasing low-quality products, check the certificates when purchasing.

In Russia, the European standard DIN EN120 is recognized, which classifies slabs with chips according to the level of formaldehyde they contain, a substance that produces harmful fumes. The classification looks like this (calculation per 100g of dry matter): E0 - up to 6.5 mg, E1 - up to 10 mg, E2 - 10-20 mg and E3 - up to 30 mg.

There is nothing to worry about when using OSB for exterior finishing, because... the concentration of released vapors in the air will be insignificant. The use of the second and third types for interior cladding of residential premises is strictly prohibited, because the level of vapor released into the room will exceed the permissible limit. E2 and E3 are suitable for attics, sheds and sheds.

According to production rules, all products such as chip boards must be tested for the level of synthetic resin content. Based on its results, a corresponding certificate is issued. Pay attention to the smell of the building material: if it is pungent, like formaldehyde or plastic, the product is toxic and cannot be used indoors.

OSB is a material with good performance, suitable for construction in all respects. By comparing it with other options and weighing the pros and cons, you can easily make the right decision.

1. Certificates and norms
2. Precautionary measures
3. conclusions

Many materials used for construction and interior decoration are beautiful, have good technical characteristics, low prices, and are easy to install. But they often contain components that are harmful to health. OSB is no exception.

OSB: composition of boards, their features

OSB (orient strand board, or OSB) belongs to the family of wood-based products. The slabs are distinguished by a strictly ordered arrangement of flat chips. They have high strength.

The base - wood shavings - is harmless. But the glue that binds it into the finished product is hazardous to health. It contains formaldehyde-based resins. During pressing of OSB, a temperature of about 200 ° C is required, as a result formaldehyde is released - a poisonous gas.

This is a volatile, strong-smelling substance. It:

• Leads to vision impairment (up to its complete loss).
• Causes severe headaches and depression.
• Negatively affects the nervous system.
• Promotes the occurrence of asthmatic attacks of suffocation.

Certificates and norms

Products manufactured in Europe and according to European standards are generally not dangerous.

It is better to purchase OSB with characteristics that comply with the European standard E1. This means that formaldehyde should be no more than 8 mg per 100 g of dry weight. In Russia this standard indicator is higher.

For OSB, there are also less stringent standards, allowing the presence of up to 30 mg of toxic formaldehyde. The maximum concentration of gas in the air at which harm to the body will not be caused is 0.003 mg/m 3 .

When purchasing, you must require a certificate for the product. The appendix to it indicates the required technical characteristics.

Precautionary measures

Formaldehyde leaves the material only in the first six months. Then its release stops. To avoid harm to health, you must be careful for 6 months.

It is important to follow these rules:

• Ventilate purchased OSB before installing it. Ventilate the finished room regularly until the smell completely disappears.
• Do not allow the surface of the products to get wet or high humidity in the room: because of this, formaldehyde is released more strongly.
• Make sure that the air inside the rooms does not heat above 30 °C (every 5 °C added to the norm of 18 °C doubles the concentration of formaldehyde coming out of the OSB).
• Wash clothing that has absorbed formaldehyde frequently and thoroughly.

To reduce the negative impact, you can buy Dieffenbachia. This indoor plant is capable of absorbing dangerous toxins from the air: benzene, xylene, formaldehyde and others.

You can purchase an air purifier.

conclusions

In order not to risk your health, it is necessary to purchase a product of European quality (E1 standard), equipped with a certificate. When purchasing a slab, you need to inspect it for chips or other defects.

The technology of construction from SIP panels is widespread throughout the world. It has been used in our country for more than 10 years. But despite the long service life, there is some mistrust of the material, especially OSB-3 boards. These boards are covered with polystyrene foam () inside and outside, so it is important that they are environmentally friendly. That's why many people are interested in whether OSB boards are harmful to health. SIP panels and OSB boards have been used for a long time, and for the same amount of time the influence of these materials on human health has been studied all over the world.

Harm of OSB-3 (OSB-3) to health: truth or myth?

It is worth mentioning that OSB-3 boards were developed specifically as a building material for residential buildings. In the USA, residential buildings, office buildings, children's and medical institutions, and sports facilities have been built using OSB-3 for almost 40 years.

In the USA, where great attention is paid to environmental friendliness and the impact of materials on human health, the negative impact of SIP has not been identified over such a long service life. Photo examples of buildings using SIP technology on the website of the American SIP Construction Association (SIPA).

Examples of houses using OSB-3 in the USA

In our country, some people confuse OSB boards with chipboard boards, common in the USSR, in which wood chips were combined with phenol-formaldehyde resins, which were really harmful to health. But modern chipboard is manufactured using new technology; it corresponds to class E1 - the highest in terms of environmental safety. And for the manufacture of OSB-3 boards, much less binders are required, which indicates even greater environmental friendliness and safety of this material. At the same time, the production of OSB-3 is a modern process. OSB-3 boards are not wood processing waste, but modified wood. The technology for their production is similar in cost and process to the creation of plywood or laminated veneer lumber.

SIP technology was invented not because of a lack of building materials, but to make construction energy efficient. It was invented in developed countries, not in the third world. Certified production of OSB-3 boards is very expensive (~100 million euros).

The resins that are used when pressing wood chips to make OSB-3 contain hardeners and fillers. All components do not harden immediately; the slab becomes dense not during pressing, but upon completion of the resin polymerization process - this takes several months. After polymerization is completed, formaldehyde emissions are not detected by existing measuring instruments (Egger company). The American Association of SIP Panels states that OSB emit no more than 0.1 ppm, that is, parts per million. This is an extremely low level - much lower than what is allowed in residential construction. Formaldehyde emission classes: E1 (up to 0.1 ppm), E2 (up to 1.0 ppm), E3 (up to 2.3 ppm). From E1 class materials you can not only build houses, but also make children's furniture. For example, ordinary plywood belongs to class E2.

The danger of formaldehyde itself is often exaggerated. This substance is found not only in artificially created materials, but also in natural ones. Formaldehyde is released even from wood. It’s just that the tree emits a minimal amount of it, this is recognized even without special research. But artificially created materials are tested for formaldehyde emissions. Formaldehyde is dangerous in high concentrations, and OSB-3 releases the same amount of it as wood. These two materials are in the same environmental safety class. The health risks of OSB-3 are the same as those from wood.

The German OSB manufacturer EGGER states that formaldehyde emissions from the boards it produces do not exceed 0.03 ppm, which can correspond to class E0. True, such a class does not officially exist - it is an advertising ploy. But despite this, the environmental friendliness of EGGER OSB is maximum.

We offer SIP panels made of OSB-3 EGGER E0 made in Germany, OSB-3 KALEVALA made in Russia E1, OSB-3 Glunz made in Germany E0 and Greenboard GB3 made in Russia E1. These panels can be used for residential construction. They are not harmful to health and do not have any effect on the human condition.

Use of OSB in the world

On the Internet you can find statements that OSB-3 is prohibited for the construction of residential buildings in Europe. It is not true. OSB-3's environmental friendliness and health safety are confirmed by its widespread use in European countries. OSB-3 is used most in Germany (15.8% of the total European volume), and is used for both exterior and interior decoration. It is also widely used in Germany - it is the most actively used insulation in the country. The second most widespread OSB and SIP technology country is France. So all statements about a ban on the use of OSB in Western countries are unfounded.

Examples of buildings using OSB in the world

So, OSB-3 is an environmentally friendly building material that does not harm human health. It can be used for housing construction, which has been done successfully for several decades in developed countries.

And finally - photos from the ecology conference in Paris in 2015