[Strawbale] Message from Jenik in Hostetin [off-gas sealer]

[Chris Green]

Shody Ryon wrote:
> I have heard that plywood commonly has toxic
> preservatives. 
The main toxic compound released would be formaldehyde.
You can buy formaldehyde-free MDF from various sources, two common 
brands being Medex and Medite  II, from a company right in Oregon:
Medite Corporation, a division of Sierrapine Ltd.::
http://www.sierrapine.com
See these links:
http://www.advancedbuildings.org/main_t_finishes_formaldehyde.htm
http://www.greenexhibits.org/build/alt_4.shtml
http://www.ecowise.com/green/seal/seal.shtml
http://www.greenbuildingsupply.com/Public/Non-ToxicFinishes/Sealers/index.cfm

and especially this one (use the search this site link ):
http://www.greenbuilder.com/

AFM Safecoat sealers can be used to seal panels to prevent most of the 
off-gassing.
http://www.afmsafecoat.com/

Bioshield is another company producing such sealers.:
http://www.bioshieldpaint.com/

Cost of sealers: maybe around $35/ gallon, and a gallon covers 3-400 
square feet. Since a 4x8 panel has slightly more than 64 square feet of 
surface, a gallon will seal about 5-6 panels at a cost of about $7 each.
Plus the time it takes to do this kind of finishing.

So it is probably cheaper just to search for and buy panels which are 
formaldehyde free.

You can also greatly reduce the amount of formaldehyde (and other 
harmful compounds like CO2, cooking fumes, etc., ) present in the air by 
growing spider plants, and probably other houseplants as well. My 
understanding is that it only takes a few spider plants--2 or 3-- to 
purify the air in an average sized house....other plants may be more 
attractive if less effective, though.

Cheers,

Chris Green.