[Greenbuilding] Linoleum

[Chris Green]

Stephen Collette wrote:
> Hello All,
>
> Well put Chris about the Linoleum. You have described it better than  
> I've ever heard. 
Thanks, but I won't take credit for that info. I heard a medical doctor 
on CBC radio explain why he chose to install linoleum in his house in 
Winnipeg. This was maybe 2 decades ago, so you can judge what an 
impression this made. The good doctor had to go to Ireland to get his 
flooring since that was were one of the last two linoleum factories was 
(at that time..I don't know how long Marmoleum has been in operation.)
> I am an environmental building consultant, and an  
> inspector, so I do actually take mould samples in buildings. I  
> wouldn't go as far as to say it would kill mould, as they are a bit  
> different biologically than bacteria. 
Still, it might be worth raising some $$ and hiring a lab student to 
check this. At least for the linoleum industry...let them pay for it.
> I'm sure the free oxygen  
> wouldn't make mould very happy, which is why the old battleship  
> linoleum is still around in houses today. It's tough, it's natural  
> and it's a great product.
>   
40+ years on the floor, and if you want to replace it, it only takes a 
couple of years for it to biodegrade. My mom and I ran a restaurant  in 
a sawmill town one year. It had battleship linolwum on the floor. Some 
years earlier one of the mill workers had come into the restaurant a few 
times with hob-nail or caulk boots on ( caulk is pronounced 'cork'..) 
This left an impression on the floor. Lots of holes. This is the only 
thing I've found that battleship linoleum doesn't stand up to...
> Oh yes, flax and linseed are the same, so if anyone is thinking of  
> making their own, I'm sure flaxoleum trade name may be available!
>   
That might be a tall order, rolling your own linoleum flooring...but now 
that I think about it, not impossible. Whoever first invented the stuff 
must have done it on a small scale to prove that it was a good product 
to make.
It would be an interesting experiment to run off a batch with titanium 
dioxide as part of the mix, and one without, for comparison and to see 
how germs and molds react to either.
This mineral also kills germs, or so I read in a science magazine, and 
the article also said somebody in Japan is making special ceramic tiles 
for operating rooms with a molecule thick layer of the pigment on the 
glaze because of this germ killing property. Titanium dioxide is the 
mineral pigment in ordinary white paints. Therefore it is reasonable to 
assume that a linseed oil based white paint just might be acting as a 
constant antibacterial agent, but this hypothesis has to be tested 
before anyone can make claims of that nature.

It sure would be nice if it does reduce harmful molds as well.
Anybody know any students taking biology courses in college or 
university who needs a research project? The theory might be a good one 
for them to research, and might even merit a degree....

Cheers,

Chris Green.