Characterization of Odorants in Particleboard Coated with Nitrocellulose Lacquer under Different Environment Conditions

Abstract It is well known that the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and odors from wood-based panels is harmful to human health. The VOCs emitted from decorative wood-based panels have been investigated generally, but information is limited regarding the key odor compounds that people find most irritating. In this experiment, particleboard coated with nitrocellulose lacquer was analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry and olfactometry. Twenty odors were identified, which arose between 5 and 25 minutes. Most odorants from nitrocellulose lacquer–coated particleboard were aromatics, esters, and alcohols, whereas those from control (unvarnished) particleboard were aromatics, aldehydes, and esters. With an increasing ratio of air exchange rate to loading factor, the total VOCs concentration and the total value of odor intensity from nitrocellulose lacquer–coated particleboard declined. However, both increased as temperature and relative humidity rose. The fluctuation of total VOCs between different days tended to fluctuate more sharply when the temperature and relative humidity rose and when the ratio of air exchange rate to loading factor dropped. To accelerate the release of VOCs and odors and reduce their effects on humans, the optimum storing conditions for particleboard with a nitrocellulose lacquer after-production were 40°C, 60 percent relative humidity, and a 1.0-m3·h−1·m−2 ratio of air exchange rate to loading factor.