The Formaldehyde Issue explained…
I have continued my research on materials and have ordered samples from Timber Products Company and North Brook Farms. Timber Products makes a similar product to Columbia Forest Products, which they call Green-T they also state they don't ADD formaldehyde to the glues...
Watch this little video to understand a little of the dilemma... I don't endorse just inform...
Lets quote some research on this issue of formaldehyde in plywood and how it affects ambient air quality, in order to get a better handle on what the issue is. According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission formaldehyde is present in the air we breath at 0.03 ppm (partsper million), this is both indoor and outdoor air. Some offices and residences have more than that, depending on how many items that contain formaldehyde are placed inside of these spaces. "As formaldehyde levels increase, illness or discomfort is more likely to occur and may be more serious". <--- This is why any designer making wood furniture should limit the amount if not seal it permanently, or not use any product with formaldehyde at all. In order to not increase formaldehyde levels in indoor air.
Remember the BPA (Bisphenol-A) scandal? That the human population is being exposed to a chemical in just about everything? That BPA can negatively affect their endocrine system functions? Remember that label that showed the type 07 plastic on the bottom of bottles and we went looking for plastics with that designation? Well, wood doesn't have that, and its up to us to make sure you aren't exposed to it (at least its our fiduciary responsibility don't you think?). If you think this is all bullshit and you think Bisphenol-A is actually good for you, then go here, all kinds of data to make you feel good about bathing in BPA... I'm fair and balanced like that...
Both Timber Products Company and Columbia Forest Products state that they don't add formaldehyde to their products. In essence the only formaldehyde is that which is naturally occurring in the wood they use to make plywood (which can't be removed). Urea Formaldehyde resin is used in most plywood because it is does well against the elements and keeps from breaking down rapidly. It works well to protect the warranty of the plywood manufacturer. In other words, if they didn't use these nasty chemicals the products would fall apart, and then you would sue them for doing so. So they use the chemicals to prevent breakage but then the product kills you slowly. Nifty right? We have enough business plans running along this same logic to make it way more confusing to understand who what when and where was the source of your cancer... Brilliant. (I am trying to magnify the hypocrisy through sarcasm)
Northbrook Farms on the other hand makes a material completely free of all this stuff, except maybe BPA (found in the original recycled raw material?) which doesn't add pollutants to indoor air (don't lick it). They make Plastic Plywood, made from recycled polyethylene. It can be worked just like plywood. Although 40% heavier than plywood, and a little more expensive this material might be perfect for some uses in my pieces. I've got the samples and have been studying how to bond them, mechanically affix them, and where to use them. Its not a new product, but the fact that it is recycled makes me want to use it. It comes in the same dimensions as wood plywood.
In this last paragraph I wanted to show a video link that demonstrates how plywood is made from the trunk of a tree. The entire tree gets used, it is basically the best way to use a tree, in its entirety.
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