Formaldehyde emissions

Higher limits planned: Concern among citizens

Chipboard has been produced at the Fundermax site in Neudörfl for over 50 years. Formaldehyde, which occurs naturally in wood, is emitted in the process.

(Bild: Reinhard Judt/Reinhard Judt, Krone KREATIV)

There is currently a lot of excitement in Neudörfl. The reason for this is that the chipboard manufacturer Fundermax has submitted an application to the district authority for the "temporary setting of less stringent emission values".

In detail, the formaldehyde emissions are to be increased to 20 milligrams per standard cubic meter in the drying plant, while limiting total emissions to 3.3 kilograms per hour.

Second increase already
This is less well received by the population. Local residents in particular complain that they have been suffering from the noise and dust from the plant for years. They fear a deterioration due to the higher emissions. Criticism also comes from the Green Party: an inspection revealed that Fundermax had already submitted an application in 2021 to increase the limit values from the current 10 mg/Nm3 to 15 mg, limited until the end of 2023, explains community leader Sabine Schügerl.

Green warning
Now the company wants a further increase to 20 mg. The limit value according to the EU directive is 10 mg and is legally binding, emphasizes the politician. "The fears of the people of Neudörfl must be taken seriously. Formaldehyde is a carcinogenic and mutagenic substance." Neudörfl is an industrial community, but industry and quality of life must go hand in hand.

Discussion with the authorities
Mayor Dieter Posch (SPÖ) refers to a meeting with the district authority in which all parties took part and in which an expert conclusively explained that the change would not pose a health risk. He is convinced that the authorities are examining the matter conscientiously.

Expert opinion: Below the irrelevance threshold
The district authority states that an expert opinion from an official expert is available, which comes to the conclusion that "in the assessment of environmental effects caused by air pollution, the total emission of pollutants plays the essential role and in this context the requested change in view of the WHO guideline value for formaldehyde in indoor air is minor and below the usual irrelevance thresholds". The plan is to increase emissions in the area of the drying plant and reduce them in the area of the chipboard press.

Company sees no danger to people or the environment
Fundermax explains that due to the increased use of recycled wood, there are greater fluctuations in the concentration value of formaldehyde. However, the limit value for total emissions remains unchanged. "With a permissible total emission of up to 3.3 kilograms per hour, our average emission is less than 1 kilogram per hour," it emphasizes. According to the company, the formaldehyde emitted by the production facilities poses no danger to people or the environment, as it is broken down quickly in the fresh air.