It's never a good idea to use glued plywood inside the home.
Glued plywood panels can release various harmful gases, depending on the type of adhesive used. The most common harmful gases include:
1. **Formaldehyde**: This is perhaps the most well-known and widespread gas released from plywood panels. Formaldehyde is often used in urea-formaldehyde resin, phenol-formaldehyde resin, and melamine-formaldehyde resin, which are frequently used to manufacture plywood. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen and can cause irritation to the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs upon exposure.
2. **Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)**: In addition to formaldehyde, plywood can also emit other VOCs depending on the adhesive used. VOCs include a wide range of chemicals that can be harmful to health, such as benzene, toluene, and xylenes. These can cause headaches, dizziness, and respiratory irritation.
3. **Isocyanates**: If polyurethane adhesives are used, isocyanates may be released. Isocyanates can cause irritation to the eyes, nose, throat, and skin, and prolonged exposure can lead to asthma and other respiratory issues.
The level of gas emissions from plywood panels depends on various factors, such as the age of the panel, room ventilation, and the use of finishing materials like varnishes or paints. Therefore, it is important to choose plywood panels that meet strict emission standards, such as E1 or CARB certification, to minimize exposure to these harmful gases.