Gone are the days when exclusively natural and 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 a single gram of doubt about the admissibility of their use. Now, more and more often Western technologies are used in construction, which involve the use of drywall, putties and wood panels. And it is the OSB-plate, the harm to he alth from its use that causes 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 boards, a fine fraction (chips) is used, most often it is waste from the manufacture of other types of building materials from wood, and special adhesives.
In production, chips are impregnated with adhesives and resins, after which a slab of the desired size, thickness and outer surface is formed.
If predominantly natural wood is used for manufacturing, why is it considered that OSB-plate harms human he alth? It's all about the additional substances, namely formaldehyde and other toxic chemicals that are used to improve the performance of the stove.
Stove slab strife
First of all, it is worth saying that there are significant differences in various products. Their classification takes place according to a special marker created by the sanitary and epidemiological services, and is a direct guide for use. To understand which OSB boards are unhe althy, 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 plate is, which means how many adhesives were used to make it.
So, 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 have a fairly high load, but only in dry rooms. In more humid buildings, such OSB boards are harmful to human he alth. 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 toxins they release is an order of magnitude higher.
In order for the board to be stronger and resist moisture, more adhesives are added to it during productionsubstances that release toxins. The content of phenols in products made from wood chips is strictly limited, and the manufacturer is obliged to indicate its amount. It is important for the consumer to know that an E1-marked stove is safe for indoor use. But class E2 OSB contains an increased amount of toxic compounds, its use is limited to non-residential buildings or the outer skin of buildings.
Is there a difference in 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, most importantly, compliance with them. It is in this respect 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 he alth will be determined by the conformity of the labels and the place of use (indoor or outdoor).
It should be noted that even in Western countries there are different regulations. Production has reached such a high level that the emission of phenol-formaldehyde substances is minimized.
In the USA, Canada, it is customary to erect buildings using the frame method, often OSB-plate serves as walls and partitions. Harm to human he alth is taken into account, and for this purpose, different types of plates are used for indoor and outdoor use.
So panels for cladding facades of houses, roofs, floorings are thickened, have a ribbed surface and cost a little more.
In Europe, these samples are not produced, but the use of various types of slabs is very strictly monitored, banning some classes for the construction of residential buildings.
Effect on the body
Many are wondering what harm OSB can do to human he alth. The effects of the fumes it emits, invisible to the eye, are nonetheless very serious.
Constant inhalation of 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, oncology.
These diseases are manifested by 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 feeling unwell, nausea, dizziness, lethargy. All of these can be symptoms of phenol-formaldehyde vapor poisoning. Therefore, sometimes OSB-plate is a source of danger to human he alth.
Identification of sources of phenol
Only specialists can conduct a full-fledged study of air, as well as interior items and other sources that may contain hazardous substances. Their job is to make a chemical analysis of the air and impurities in it.
It's worth mentioning right awaythat it is not always the OSB board that is the culprit of all troubles. Phenol-containing elements can be found even in seemingly safe items. It can be furniture, textiles (carpets made from non-natural materials), decorative items and even children's toys.
In order to reduce the cost of their products, manufacturers, alas, do not disdain 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-plate is used in construction, it is necessary to choose high quality products, where the minimum amount of chemistry was used in the production process. Additional means of protection are available and simple methods for everyone.
First of all, it is necessary to create stable conditions. Elevated temperatures increase the release of fumes. The level of humidity in the room also matters. Phenol dissolves in water, therefore, when the tyrsoplite gets wet, its release increases. It is better to use samples treated with special primers for rooms where flooding is possible, or an increased level of moisture in the air.
It is not recommended to sheathe OSB-plate in rooms with poor ventilation. No matter how safe the material is, it still emits harmful substances, 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 is a phenol-free OSB on the market. Is there any he alth hazard from it? Of course, one cannot vouch for all the products of woodworking plants. Connecting small particles of wood together so that they have increased resistance to stress, climate change is still impossible.
Some manufacturers do not use formaldehyde in adhesives, but this does not mean that other substances that are not fully studied and not subject to he alth checks are safer.
A characteristic feature of the chemical compounds of the phenol group is that they can be released for years. The situation when there is evaporation for some time, and then they disappear, is unrealistic with phenols. The chemicals will be released into the air and then into the body throughout the life of the product.
Benefits of using
No matter how toxic and dangerous OSB boards are, their use is gaining momentum both abroad and in the CIS countries. The explanation is quite simple.
Economic benefits, ease of use, durability of wood-based boards are very serious advantages. What other strengths does this building material have?
- versatility - walls are sewn up with slabs, floors are laid and used as roofing material;
- resistance - with proper installation, OSB is not subject to moisture, corrosion, crumbling, nothe danger that rodents and microorganisms will start in the stoves;
- easy to build - 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
Summing up, I want to find out: is it true that OSB boards are harmful to he alth? 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, approaching the issue with all responsibility and care, it is quite possible to completely protect the house from the harmful effects of formaldehyde. This is confirmed by the rich practice of its use over the years and the steadily growing popularity among builders.
