A consumers’ watchdog yesterday said that recent tests of 12 brands of plywood sold in the country found one product that failed to meet safety standards and is suspected of containing a cancer-causing agent.
The Consumers’ Foundation said it teamed up with the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection in June and July to purchase and inspect slabs of plywood sold at DIY home improvement stores or wood shops. Of the 12 brands of plywood inspected, one that is sold in Kangshan Township (岡山), Kaohsiung County, tested positive for formaldehyde at amounts exceeding the legal maximum limit.
Inspectors found that the plywood contained 14.9mg per liter of formaldehyde, or more than seven times the legal limit. The Chinese National Standards allows for a maximum of 2.1mg per liter under certain conditions.
EXPOSURE
Exposure to free formaldehyde may cause the skin to develop rashes or allergies, while breathing free formaldehyde can lead to cancer in the respiratory tract, foundation chairman Hsieh Tien-jen (謝天仁) said.
The foundation said people working with such plywood may be exposed to formaldehyde if they were not careful about keeping the premises well ventilated.
The symptoms of exposure to formaldehyde, which could contribute to sick house syndrome or sick building syndrome, include headaches, dizziness and, in certain cases, vomiting.
The foundation said people could also breathe in the toxic fumes, which can harm their respiratory system, or absorb it through the skin, which can damage internal organs such as liver, kidneys and the central nervous system.
PRODUCTION HALT
The bureau has ordered the substandard plywood to be taken off the shelves. The manufacturer told the authorities it had halted production.
The foundation advised people who have recently renovated their homes to air out the rooms for at least a month before moving in to avoid coming into direct contact with toxic substances.
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