Ikea kitchens and formaldehyde

[henlan77]

Does anyone know if Ikea kitchens pass Australian standards re formaldehyde or any other toxic nasties?

This link http://renomart.com.au/will-your-new-kitchen-kill-you/ in another post got me nervous, especially the reference in the PDF about Bunnings flat pack items being 2.24 times over the Aust standard.

Cheers.

[q9]

I can't say for sure but I'd imagine the Swede's would be very aware of this type of thing...

Interestingly I noticed that my flat pack vanity unit has "Made in Sweden" on nearly every piece. Not quite everything is made in China!

[autogenous]

Australian Standards (AFRDI)
Flatpax kitchens adhere to Australian Furniture Research & Design Industry standards (AFRDI). The AFRDI tick of approval means that Flatpax cabinets have been tested to the rigorous Australian Standard AS/NZS 4386.1. The standard tests the performance, safety and quality requirements of individual products to ensure they meet minimum usage requirements by the consumer. Only a minimal number of Australian kitchen suppliers have the AFRDI accreditation.

AS/NZS 4266.16 Australian Standards – Formaldehyde Emissions (E1)
Flatpax kitchens have been tested to Australian Standards for Formaldehyde emissions. The products used within the Flatpax kitchen range are E1 compliant and meets the Australian Standard AS/NZS 4266.16.

http://www.flatpax.com.au/WhyFlatpax.asp

[Sybarite]

If you have any concerns about any of the materials you are considering buying then simply ask the supplier for a Material Safety Data Sheet and/or a Product Safety Data Sheet.

If any of the information on the sheets is unclear to you, contact the organisations who have performed the tests and/or provided the compliance certification and ask to have the results explained and/or confirmed.

If the supplier is unwilling to provide any Safety Sheets then it is up to you to draw your own conclusions.

If I had any doubts about the quality of a product I would not accept the supplier just quoting compliance information - I would follow it up and confirm it for myself.

Cheers,

Earl

[henlan77]

I asked Ikea via their online chat and this was the transcript. Thought you may be interested:

Ikea: Which product were you after?<

Me: I was wondering if Faktum kitchens satisfy Australian Standards regarding formaldehyde levels?

Ikea: Yes they meet Australians standards.

Me: Specifically re formaldehyde?

Ikea: What do you mean by ''re formaldehyde''?

Me: Well there are Australian Standards that refer to construction and performance, and standards that apply to toxicity and health. Formaldehyde is a toxic glue found in imported cabinetry. Australiala has strict standards regarding formaldehyde levels which many imported products do not meet.

Ikea: The Australian standard for a complete product is a maximum of 0.10 ppm (parts per million). IKEA meet these standards with all their products.

Me: Thanks for your help.

Ikea: Your welcome, have a great day!

[azza_1980]

you need not worry about the formalahyde in the board unless you plan on cutting it and breathing in the dust. Or if you get a little bit hungry and decide to eat ur cupboards.

[henlan77]

I am pretty sure that formaldehyde and other toxic off-gassing is a concern, even if you don't cut or eat your cabinets!

The interior of a new car or office building is extremely toxic. I read several reports on this when I was at uni, though of course I can't remember the details.

[Sybarite]

Yes ongoing outgassing is a significant part of the issue.

Furthermore, I noted that Ikea were very careful to state that their product complies to all standards for "complete product" which means that there will be no further cutting or drilling...some other big names who are being very vocal about now being 100% compliant make the same assurance.

Now I am not saying that the Ikea product is unfit or non-compliant, but I would really like to see ANYONE install a kitchen without drilling holes through some boards and using a hole saw at least once...then there is the cutting of benchtops if you plan to install a sink and/or a cooktop...

Just some thoughts.

Cheers,

Earl

[henlan77]

Good point Sybarite.

So is it possible that once cut or drilled the formaldehyde exposure could be worse? Is it the case that the laminate or paint of the complete unit restricts off-gassing?