Particleboard
QUESTION:
Hi Debra,
I have read that you can seal the off-gas in particleboard, by using a nontoxic sealer, is this true? My husband wants to build some furniture and the formaldehyde free particleboard is 3x as much, so I was trying to see if there were other options.
Thanks,
Carla
POSTED BY CARLA :: OHIO USA :: 06/09/2009 9:05 AM
DEBRA'S ANSWER:
True and not true. There is a sealer that can be used to seal particleboard, made by AFM Enterprises. I have used it in the past and it works.
However, I would not call it a "cure-all" for particleboard. When I used it, I used it to seal one small piece of particleboard on a table that was otherwise solid wood. I don't know how long this seal lasts, so I can't guarantee that it will last as long as you use your cabinets.
My best recommendation would be to use a material other than particleboard.
Debra :-)
My experience is that even 7 coats of AFM Safecoat does not seal in formaldehyde from particle board. I avoid particle board whenever possible and seal it with aluminum foil and foil tape if I can't avoid it (ie in kitchen cabinets).
2 or more coats of white shellac by Zinsser (called B.I.N.) *may* seal a lot of the formaldehyde **but** it can take up to 2 months or more before the smell from the shellac itself is gone and it's extremely toxic to apply. (shellac itself is inert - a resin excreted by the lac beetle - but it's suspended in alcohol)
I'd highly recommend building the furniture from wood. it will last longer so end up being worth the money in the long run (plus - there is no price that can be put on health :-)
POSTED BY ELL :: MOVING BEYOND MCS :: MOVINGBEYONDMCS.BLOGSPOT.COM/ :: OHIO CANADA :: 06/10/2009 3:06 PM
