CONTEXT

Phenolic resins are well known and are generally prepared from phenols and formaldehyde. The use of formaldehyde introduces environmental and toxicological problems in the preparation , fabrication and even in the long term use of such materials.

Formaldehyde — a “VOC,” or volatile organic compound — is a widely used chemical in glues and adhesives and is a preservative used in paints and finishes. .The World Health Organisation’s International Agency for Cancer Research (IARC) in 2004 recommended classification of formaldehyde from group 2A -“probably carcinogenic to humans” to group 1 - “carcinogenic to humans”. Under European Union standards, formaldehyde is currently classified as a category 3 chemical - “weak level carcinogenic hazard -”.