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IMPROVING INDOOR AIR QUALITY
BY MARK BYERS OF OLIVER GREEN KITCHENS
Because we are UK agents for the Puustelli Miinus ecological kitchen we regularly get enquiries about low VOC ( Volatile Organic Compounds ) and no added formaldehyde materials . These enquiries are always motivated by health related issues . Most people don ’ t give any thought to how materials may improve or negatively impact indoor air quality . But why wouldn ’ t you want to put products and materials into your home that are better for you and better for the planet ?
Before we go further it is worth clarifying why VOC ’ s and formaldehyde matter . Formaldehyde is a scientifically proven carcinogenic , but it is a chemical that exists in all organic material . Naturally occurring levels of this chemical are not a problem . Unfortunately , it is a chemical that is used in many bonding agents and it ’ s this added element that is the issue . And it ’ s why some people seek out products and materials that either have no formaldehyde or no added formaldehyde .
VOC ’ s are way too numerous to list but they do include formaldehyde . They also include Butanol , Alcohol , Acetone , Ethanol , and Methylene Chloride . What ’ s important to know is that these compounds exist in many of the products and materials found in a home . They do negatively impact people with some allergies . My view is that as standard we should be specifying and supplying products and materials that are as environmentally responsible as they can be . This means excluding materials that contain added levels of compounds that are contributing to poor indoor air quality .
So , what exactly does this mean when it comes to kitchens I hear you ask .
Wood Based Products Let ’ s start with wood and wood based products . Wood as an organic material contains natural levels of formaldehyde . These levels are way below the minimum standards set for permitted levels of this chemical and we don ’ t need to be concerned about these natural levels . What we should avoid is using wood based materials that have added levels of formaldehyde and this directly relates to MDF . This is a very popular and prevalent material used in the kitchen industry . Many cabinet doors are made from MDF .
We try to avoid MDF . This is easy with our Puustelli Miinus kitchen because no MDF is used but for some of our other ranges MDF it is unavoidable . The important thing then is to use MDF that has less formaldehyde added .
Laminate worktops are also a no-go area for us . Yes , they are the most affordable type of worktop but they do contain a range of VOC emitting products . These include adhesives and sealers .
Solid Surfaces This category of material is used for worktops and splashbacks . Almost all solid surface materials are acrylic and therefore use higher quantities of resins that do contain added levels of formaldehyde . The only material we specify that falls into the solid surface category is Krion . It ’ s different because its main component is crushed minerals .
Paint We can all relate to the smell that some paint emits . Solvent based paints are the worst offenders but even water based paints will emit VOC ’ s . The paint we specify is Graphenstone . It has a cradle to cradle accreditation and emits no VOC ’ s and contains no formaldehyde . One version of this paint range even absorbs and eliminates some VOC ’ s . Now that ’ s clever !
Flooring Some types of flooring like vinyl and laminate will negatively impact indoor air quality . Synthetic carpets are also not good . Our preferred floor options are engineered wood , Impervia , and ceramics . Impervia is our most popular floor product and it ’ s in our product portfolio because of its eco-friendly qualities .
Unfortunately , I have reached my word limit . Which is a shame because I could go on . Maybe next month ?
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