[Greenbuilding] Chemical Sensitivities

[Andrew Pace, CSI]

An MSDS only needs to list hazardous chemicals that make up more than 1% of
the total volume of material, unless it's part of a "proprietary blend".  In
the case of paints and coatings, manufacturers can use over a dozen
formaldehyde precursors that are each less than 1% of the volume, so none
have to be listed.  In a liquid state, they are undetectable.  While the
coating cures on the wall, they react and create formaldehyde.  This is why
it's so dangerous to use the MSDS or the VOC content as a gauge for
toxicity.  


Andrew Pace
Degree of Green
http://www.degreeofgreen.com




On 3/21/08 1:01 PM, "David Bergman" <bergman at cyberg.com> wrote:

> Also, my understanding of MSDS requirements is that mfr's only have
> to disclose ingredients that are on the government's official KNOWN
> carcinogens or hazards list. Is that correct?
> 
> David
> DAVID BERGMAN ARCHITECT / FIRE & WATER LIGHTING + FURNITURE
> architecture . interiors . ecodesign . lighting . furniture
> bergman at cyberg.com    www.cyberg.com
> 241 Eldridge Street #3R, New York, NY 10002
> t 212 475 3106    f 212 677 7291
> 
> At 01:49 PM 3/21/2008, Keith Winston wrote:
>> Hi Jason,