WOODforHEALTH - Progress & News

WOOD for HEALTH project introduced to European policy makers

Tue, 11 Jun 2024 06:57:00 +0000

European Wood Policy platform (WoodPoP) is a policy dialogue platform which brings together all relevant actors to advance the sustainable use of wood. It develops wood-related policy solutions, measures and recommendations to strengthen wood-based circular bioeconomy. WoodPOP unites governmental and stakeholder representatives from 27 European countries, and from British Columbia in Western Canada. The WoodPoP was initially Austrian and Finnish initiative.

On May 22nd, WoodPOP Technical Working Group on building sector had a meeting to which it had invited three speakers to give presentations related to health benefits of wooden buildings. WOOD for HEALTH project was one of the presented topics.

Pekka Kilpeläinen (University of Oulu, Finland) “Wood-for-health - research project"
Ahmed Al Samarraie (DHV, German Wood Construction Association) “Standardized ways to calculate carbon storage in and on buildings"
Mike Burnard (InnoRenew CoE, Slovenia) “Psychological and Physiological Effects of Wood on People".

In the discussion after the presentations, it became clear that the well-being and health-promoting effects of wood, and sustainability of wooden buildings are of great interest. Furthermore, wood construction is supported also by European structures. It is not only national matter of forest-rich countries.

Countries participating in WoodPOP

Shadow day 2024

Fri, 05 Apr 2024 08:28:00 +0000

On April 4^th, 2024, 22 pupils from several Latvia’s schools visited the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry and spent the day “shadowing” researchers and students carrying out their activities at the institute. This was a great chance for them to obtain an insight of the work of chemists, chemical engineers, chemical technologists and to learn more about our laboratories and the wide opportunities of research related to wood and its components. Amēlija and Mare, both 7^th grade pupils, were shadows for PhD Errj Sansonetti who took them through a journey of a researcher’s working day in Laboratory of Wood Biodegradation and Protection. Amēlija and Mare learn some basics about colour theory, wood colour and its changes, available methods to preserve wood colour and water based paint formulations (emulsion). The pupils were informed about the function of paints in wood protection and why it is necessary to develop new green formulations, which are more environmentally friendly, to use during service life of wood products (e.g. in healthcare buildings), a question tightly connected to the WOOD for HEALTH project topics. Despite their young age, they were very patient, listened carefully and carried out also practical tasks with care and attention during many hours. It was very gratifying after the long work day to hear their will to come back again at the institute for the next Shadow day.

Researchers' night 2023

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 06:53:00 +0000

On September 29, 2023, the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry participated in the annual researchers’ night and welcomed over 250 visitors of various ages to experience several workshops, interactive exhibitions, science shows, and quizzes. The laboratory of Wood Biodegradation and Protection, represented by PhD Edgars Kuka and two university students, informed visitors about the qualities and uses of wood-plastic composite materials, waste recycling and reuse, the microstructure of wood, and the development of microorganisms on wood surfaces. Guests were able to examine with microscopes various kinds of microorganisms that can develop on the surface of wood and learn about different coatings with antimicrobial qualities to prevent these microorganisms from developing. Visitors were informed about the importance of preventing microorganisms from forming, especially in places with high sanitary standards. This event allowed people of any age group to try their hand at being scientists and inspired guests to learn more about different fields of research.

Shadow day 2023

Thu, 06 Apr 2023 12:47:00 +0000

On April 5th, 2023, the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry welcomed 25 pupils from 5^th to 12^th grade to introduce them to the work of chemists, chemical engineers, chemical technologists, and the director of the institute. Two pupils, Ričards (8^th grade) and Ritvars (6^th grade) were shadows for PhD Edgars Kuka who took them through a journey of a researcher’s working day in Laboratory of Wood Biodegradation and Protection. Ričards and Ritvars acquired insights of colour formation, wood discolouration, microstructure of wood, development of microorganisms on wood surface, waste recycling and reuse, wood plastic composites, and microplastics. In the context of microorganism development, we examined the surface of wood specimens coated with linseed oil based formulations, which are being developed within the WOOD for HEALTH project. The pupils were informed about the microorganisms and why it is important to prevent their development during service life of wood products (e.g. in healthcare buildings). It was a pleasure to have such enthusiastic and wise shadows in the institute, who have the potential to pursue their future activities in the fields of chemistry, physics and material science and eventually make a successful carrier.

Ričards (on the left) and Ritvars (on the right) examining microorganisms on coated and uncoated wood surfaces

Visit of the Kainuu Central Hospital in Finland

Mon, 13 Feb 2023 13:36:00 +0000

We visited Kainuu Central Hospital in Finland, which has incorporated wood in the building interior. There we saw that wood products such as wood cladding, stairs, wall panels, doors and art elements are used in waiting areas, meeting rooms, patient rooms, restaurants and corridors. The rooms of high hygiene requirements did not have wood in them. More visual representation of the situation as well as the main takeaways are summarized in this presentation:

Summary of the Kainuu Central Hospital visit

Conference: ForestValue Final 2022

Sun, 18 Sep 2022 07:31:00 +0000

Meet us at the ForestValue Final Conference 2022, 28 - 29 September, Madrid, Spain

Visit the ForestValue Final conference web page for more information - click here.

Conference: WSE 2022

Thu, 15 Sep 2022 07:28:00 +0000

Meet us at the 18th Annual Meeting of the Northern European Network for Wood Science and Engineering (WSE 2022), 21 - 22 September, Goettingen, Germany

Visit the WSE 2022 conference web page for more information - click here.

Meeting: 1st WP3 meeting

Mon, 04 Apr 2022 12:00:00 +0000

In the 1st WP3 meeting, the main tasks were discussed in detail as well as the initial plans for accomplishing them. The presentations by WKI and LSIWC provided the ground for discussion about the next activities identifying also any potential difficulties, which should be addressed in the near future. In addition, the first results were presented and discussed.

Meeting: Monthly meeting (March 2022)

Mon, 28 Mar 2022 08:00:00 +0000

In the monthly meeting, the progress and upcoming plans of the WP1, WP2, WP3 and WP6 activities were discussed. In addition, information and ideas about the reporting, conference program, press release, MsTeams possibilities and use of it were shared.

Meeting: LSIWC and SIA Iecavnieks & Co

Tue, 08 Mar 2022 12:00:00 +0000

In the meeting, design and preparation possibilities of non-film forming coatings based on linseed oil were discussed. The partners agreed on the production and delivery of the first experimental samples for testing.