{"hq_id":"hq-p-hom-000240","name":"Kitchen Cabinet Demolition (Particleboard Formaldehyde, Pre-1978 Lead Paint)","category":{"primary":"household","secondary":"renovation","tags":["cabinet","demolition","formaldehyde","particleboard","MDF","lead paint","renovation"]},"product_tier":"HOM","overall_risk_level":"low","description":"Kitchen cabinet removal releases formaldehyde from cut/broken particleboard and MDF. Sawing composite wood produces formaldehyde-laden dust — short-term spikes can exceed OSHA STEL (2 ppm) in enclosed kitchens. Pre-1978 cabinets may have lead paint. Post-demolition may reveal moisture damage and mold behind cabinets.","synthesis":{"derived_risk_level":"extreme","synthesis_confidence":0.757,"synthesis_method":"compound_composition","context_used":"human_adult","context_source":"product_users","exposure_modifier":1.1,"vulnerability_escalated":false,"escalation_reason":null,"compounds_resolved":1,"compounds_total":1,"synthesis_date":"2026-05-09","synthesis_version":"1.2.0","methodology_note":"exposure_modifier and adjusted_magnitude are computed from ALETHEIA-calibrated heuristics (route × duration × frequency multipliers, clamped to [0.5, 1.4]). Multipliers are directionally informed by EPA Exposure Factors Handbook (2011) and CalEPA OEHHA but are not regulatory consensus. See /api/methodology for full disclosure."},"hazard_summary":{"sensitive_populations":"renovation workers, asthmatics (formaldehyde)","overall_risk":"low","primary_concerns":["Formaldehyde dust from cutting particleboard and MDF","Pre-1978 cabinet paint may contain lead","Mold behind cabinets from moisture damage","Short-term formaldehyde spikes in enclosed kitchen"],"exposure_routes":"Inhalation (formaldehyde dust from composite wood)"},"exposure":{"routes":["inhalation","dermal"],"contact_types":["inhalation","skin_brief"],"users":["adult"],"duration":"hours","frequency":"event-based","scenarios":["Sawing through particleboard cabinets (formaldehyde dust)","Breaking MDF shelving (fine dust with formaldehyde)","Mold behind removed cabinets (moisture damage)","Pre-1978 cabinet paint: lead dust during demolition"],"notes":"UF resin in particleboard: 6-8% by weight. Cut surfaces expose fresh resin — higher emission than intact surfaces. Open windows, fan exhausting outdoors, N95 with organic vapor cartridge for extended sawing. Pre-1978: test cabinet paint with LeadCheck swab before demo. Remove cabinets whole when possible (pry from wall) to minimize sawing."},"consumer_guidance":{"usage_warning":"Ventilate kitchen during cabinet demolition. N95 respirator for sawing composite wood. Test pre-1978 cabinet paint for lead. Remove cabinets whole when possible (pry off wall).","safer_alternatives":["Remove cabinets whole instead of sawing apart","N95 + organic vapor cartridge for extended cutting","Open windows + exhaust fan during demolition","Test pre-1978 cabinets for lead paint before demo"]},"regulatory":{"applicable_regulations":[{"jurisdiction":"USA","regulation":"OSHA Formaldehyde Standard","citation":"29 CFR 1910.1048","requirements":"PEL: 0.75 ppm (8-hr TWA). STEL: 2 ppm (15-min).","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":"1987-12-04","enforcing_agency":"OSHA","penalties":null,"source_ref":null}],"certifications":[],"labeling":{"required_disclosures":[],"prop65_warning":{"required":null,"chemicals":[],"endpoint":null,"notes":null},"ghs_labeling":{"required":null,"signal_word":null,"pictograms":[],"hazard_statements":[],"notes":null},"hidden_ingredients":{"trade_secret_protected":null,"categories_hidden":[],"estimated_count":null,"known_concerns":null,"notes":null},"notes":null},"recalls":[],"regulatory_gap":null,"notes":null},"lifecycle":{"recyclable":true,"disposal_guidance":"Cabinets: construction waste or ReStore donation. Particleboard waste: landfill.","hazardous_waste":false,"expected_lifespan":"varies"},"formulation":{"form":"varies","key_ingredients":[],"certifications":[]},"materials":{"common":[],"concerning":[],"preferred":[]},"compound_composition":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000011","compound_name":null,"role":"resin_binder","typical_concentration":"6-8% UF resin in particleboard"}],"identifiers":{"common_names":["kitchen cabinet demolition (particleboard formaldehyde, pre-1978 lead paint)"],"aliases":[],"manufacturer":null,"brands":[]},"brand_examples":[{"brand":"Sherwin-Williams","manufacturer":"Sherwin-Williams","market_position":"premium","notable":"Professional-grade paints"},{"brand":"Benjamin Moore","manufacturer":"Berkshire Hathaway","market_position":"premium","notable":"Premium interior paint"},{"brand":"Behr","manufacturer":"Masco","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Mass-market interior paint"}],"brand_examples_disclaimer":"Representative branded products of this category. Concerning ingredients listed in materials.concerning[] apply to the category, not necessarily to every named brand. Specific formulations vary by SKU and may have changed since this record was written; consult the brand's current ingredient label before drawing brand-level conclusions.","sources":[{"type":"expert_curation","name":"ALETHEIA Safety Database","date":"2026-03-25"},{"type":"regulation","title":"OSHA Formaldehyde Standard (29 CFR 1910.1048)","jurisdiction":"USA","year":1987,"citation":"29 CFR 1910.1048","id":"src_f57743eb"},{"id":"iarc_100f_form","type":"regulatory","title":"IARC Monographs Volume 100F: Formaldehyde","year":2012,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000011"},{"id":"epa_form_iris","type":"regulatory","title":"US EPA IRIS Assessment: Formaldehyde (draft)","year":2010,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000011"},{"type":"regulatory","title":"US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)","jurisdiction":"USA","id":"src_ef6d897f","extraction":"description_reference"}],"meta":{"schema_version":"4.0.0","last_updated":"2026-03-25","timestamp":"2026-05-14T01:26:27.550Z"}}