Estimated VOC losses during the drying of six eastern hardwood species

Samples of hardwood lumber were obtained from a number of mills in the eastern United States and were analyzed for the levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released during the drying process. The estimates of VOC release are reported for six species that are commonly dried commercially. Also, for four of the species tested, estimates of VOC release are reported from more than one provenance. With the exception of red oak, the estimated release was well under 5 pounds per thousand board feet of green lumber. The estimates for red oak were substantially higher than the other species. The levels in red oak can be attributed, in part, to the presence of bacterial infection, but further investigation is required.