DIY Network

VOCs in Cabinetry and Furniture From "Healthy Household Workshop" episode DHHW-105

This maple cabinet is fully constructed from wood.

Cabinetry

Volatile gases such as benzene, xylene and formaldehyde are commonly found in kitchen cabinetry.

• Pressed wood is a common source of VOCs. The glues that hold the wood chips together emit gases -- and many cabinets are made from this material. Many plastics and epoxies (used for adhesion of cabinet sections) contain formaldehyde. Urea formaldehydes produce emissions that increase with temperature and humidity, which is even worse in kitchens.

• Consider cabinetry made of solid wood, wheat board (made from wheat straw and non-toxic binding), bamboo, lyptus (sustainable cherry from South America), or metal.

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Look for upholstered furniture stuffed with heathier wool or cotton batting.

Furniture

• Select furniture made of hardwood instead of veneered particleboard, and make sure it's sealed with water-based polyurethane. Alternately, seal older particleboard furniture with no-VOC or low-VOC finishes.

• Avoid upholstered furniture that's stuffed with foam rubber, and avoid stain-resistant fabric treatments.

GUESTS :

Jennifer Tremelling
Wellborn Forest
Web site: WellbornForest.com