Dria El
July 8th, 2001, 12:24 AM
Formaldehyde-Free Kitchens
by Annie Berthold-Bond
Particle board is the base material used in most manufactured kitchen cabinets. The board is usually made of cellulose reconstituted with the use of urea formaldehyde resin, and made into panels that are cut into boards for constructing furniture and building products. Formaldehyde is a recognized carcinogen, and a sensitizer, meaning that exposure to formaldehyde can make a person more sensitive to other chemicals. There are safer alternatives!
Simple Solution:
*Custom order solid wood cabinets made with sustainably harvested wood. One cabinetmaker in Oregon uses sustainable wood and low-VOC finishes; and another in Arkansas, Second Life Furniture.
*Install metal cabinets.
*Search out salvage companies big enough to store kitchens. It is not farfetched that they might have used solid wood kitchen cabinets. Check your Yellow Pages under "Salvage."
*Formaldehyde is banned from use in furniture products made in Europe, so Investigate buying kitchen cabinets imported from there.
*Find a source for kitchen cabinets using PrimeBoard, a "particle board" made of wheat straw that reportedly is emission-free and exceeds industry standards for particle board.
Caution
Particle board can outgas formaldehyde for the life of the product. The outgassing is made worse when it is heated, such as when it is in the sun, or near a heater or oven.
Helpful Hints:
*If you fear you may have formaldehyde in your cabinets, contact American Formulating and Manufacturing to inquire about their sealants.
*Cabinets made of exterior-grade plywood has less formaldehyde than interior grade, and significantly less than particle board.
*You can cover plywood with aluminum foil to help seal in formaldehyde
*Sealed Masonite has fewer volatile organic chemicals than particle board, as does medium-density fiberboard, chipboard, or waferboard.
by Annie Berthold-Bond
Particle board is the base material used in most manufactured kitchen cabinets. The board is usually made of cellulose reconstituted with the use of urea formaldehyde resin, and made into panels that are cut into boards for constructing furniture and building products. Formaldehyde is a recognized carcinogen, and a sensitizer, meaning that exposure to formaldehyde can make a person more sensitive to other chemicals. There are safer alternatives!
Simple Solution:
*Custom order solid wood cabinets made with sustainably harvested wood. One cabinetmaker in Oregon uses sustainable wood and low-VOC finishes; and another in Arkansas, Second Life Furniture.
*Install metal cabinets.
*Search out salvage companies big enough to store kitchens. It is not farfetched that they might have used solid wood kitchen cabinets. Check your Yellow Pages under "Salvage."
*Formaldehyde is banned from use in furniture products made in Europe, so Investigate buying kitchen cabinets imported from there.
*Find a source for kitchen cabinets using PrimeBoard, a "particle board" made of wheat straw that reportedly is emission-free and exceeds industry standards for particle board.
Caution
Particle board can outgas formaldehyde for the life of the product. The outgassing is made worse when it is heated, such as when it is in the sun, or near a heater or oven.
Helpful Hints:
*If you fear you may have formaldehyde in your cabinets, contact American Formulating and Manufacturing to inquire about their sealants.
*Cabinets made of exterior-grade plywood has less formaldehyde than interior grade, and significantly less than particle board.
*You can cover plywood with aluminum foil to help seal in formaldehyde
*Sealed Masonite has fewer volatile organic chemicals than particle board, as does medium-density fiberboard, chipboard, or waferboard.