Influence of Prolonged Storage on Formaldehyde Liberation from Durable Press Textiles

Abstract

Liberated formaldehyde from durable press cotton textiles has been found to originate from several sources within a finish. Different formaldehyde sources release differing degrees of formaldehyde. Changes in formaldehyde release (AATCC-112 Test), steady-state (or residual) formaldehyde, and formaldehyde transport levels in both washed and unwashed finished fabrics during ambient storage were compared for several finishes. Three dimethyloldihydroxyethyleneurea-based finishes and a dimethylolethyleneurea-based finish were used in the study with two magnesium chloride-based catalysts. Contributions from the finishing parameters were emphasized in the response to ambient storage under confined and unconfined conditions.