In recent years, the push for healthier and more sustainable living environments has led many homeowners and DIY enthusiasts to reconsider the materials they bring into their homes. One area that often gets overlooked, however, is carpentry. Whether you’re building custom furniture, installing cabinets, or tackling a DIY project, the materials you choose can significantly impact the air quality and overall health of your home.

Traditional hardwood, once the gold standard for carpentry, has increasingly been replaced by engineered wood products like plywood, MDF (medium-density fiberboard), and particleboard. While convenient and often more affordable, these materials come with a hidden cost: they are usually manufactured with toxic resins and adhesives that can release harmful chemicals into your home. In this blog post, we’ll explore the dangers of conventional building materials and introduce safer alternatives that can help you create a non-toxic living space.

The Problem with Conventional Carpentry Materials

Toxic Resins and Off-Gassing: Many modern building materials, particularly carpentry ones, are manufactured with formaldehyde-based resins and adhesives. Formaldehyde is a volatile organic compound (VOC) classified as a human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Cutting, sanding, or disturbing these materials releases formaldehyde gas into the air, a process known as off-gassing..^[1]

Exposure to formaldehyde can lead to a range of health issues, including respiratory irritation, headaches, allergic reactions, and even long-term health risks such as cancer. Children, older people, and individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions are particularly vulnerable to the effects of formaldehyde and other VOCs.^[1]

Engineered Wood Products: Plywood, MDF, and particleboard are some of the most common engineered wood products used in modern carpentry. While they offer the benefits of being relatively inexpensive and easy to work with, these materials are typically held together with formaldehyde-based adhesives. Over time, these adhesives can break down, releasing formaldehyde and other harmful chemicals into your home.^[2]

• Plywood: Often made with thin layers of wood veneer glued together, plywood is a staple in many DIY projects and construction applications. However, manufacturers often bond traditional plywood with urea-formaldehyde resin, which can off-gas for years after installation..
• MDF and Particleboard: MDF is made from wood fibers combined with resin and compressed into sheets, while particleboard is made from wood chips or sawdust mixed with resin. Both materials are commonly used in furniture, cabinetry, and flooring, but they are notorious for their high formaldehyde content.

Health Risks of Toxic Carpentry: The health risks associated with toxic carpentry materials are well-documented. Long-term exposure to formaldehyde and other VOCs can lead to chronic respiratory problems, increased risk of asthma, and other serious health conditions. Exposure can cause symptoms such as watery eyes, burning sensations in the eyes and throat, nausea, and difficulty breathing in the short term.

These risks are especially concerning for families, particularly those with young children. Children’s developing respiratory systems are more sensitive to environmental toxins, and prolonged exposure to formaldehyde can impact their health.

A Better Way: Non-Toxic Carpentry Materials

Fortunately, safer alternatives to conventional building materials can help you create a healthier home without sacrificing quality or aesthetics. One such alternative is PureBond plywood, a formaldehyde-free option that is both eco-friendly and non-toxic.^[4]

What is PureBond Plywood? PureBond plywood is an engineered wood product that uses a soy-based adhesive instead of traditional urea-formaldehyde resin.Columbia Forest Products developed PureBond plywood, offering various wood species designed to meet or exceed conventional plywood performance without harmful off-gassing.

Benefits of PureBond Plywood:

• Formaldehyde-Free: PureBond plywood is made without formaldehyde, ensuring it does not contribute to indoor air pollution or off-gassing in your home. This makes it a safer choice for projects that involve cutting, sanding, or drilling and for finished products like cabinets and furniture.
• Durable and Versatile: Despite being free of toxic adhesives, PureBond plywood is as strong and durable as conventional plywood. You can use it for various carpentry projects, from custom cabinetry to DIY furniture, and it comes in multiple wood species and finishes.
• Eco-Friendly: PureBond plywood is produced using sustainable forestry practices and is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). This means that it contributes to a healthier home environment and supports responsible management of the world’s forests.

Our Experience with PureBond: In our home, we recently switched to non-toxic carpentry by installing custom lockers made from PureBond plywood. We chose this material for its excellent performance and to ensure our family avoids exposure to harmful chemicals.The lockers were easy to install, and we noticed a significant difference in the air quality in the room compared to previous projects using conventional materials.

DIY with PureBond: For those who love DIY projects, PureBond plywood is available at major retailers like Home Depot, making it easy to source and use for your next project. Whether building custom cabinets, creating furniture, or simply making home repairs, choosing non-toxic materials like PureBond can help protect your health and create a safer living environment.

Building a Healthier Home

Creating a non-toxic home is about making informed choices and prioritizing the health and well-being of your family. Opting for non-toxic carpentry materials like PureBond plywood can reduce exposure to harmful chemicals and contribute to a healthier indoor environment.

If planning a home improvement project, consider the materials you’re using and their potential impact on your health. Whether you’re a seasoned DIY enthusiast or hiring a contractor, choosing non-toxic materials is crucial to building a safer, healthier home.

Conclusion: Let’s Build Safer, Healthier Homes Together

The convenience and affordability of conventional carpentry materials come with hidden costs to your health and the environment. But by choosing non-toxic alternatives like PureBond plywood, you can enjoy the benefits of high-quality construction without the risks associated with toxic off-gassing and VOCs.

Let’s commit to building safer, healthier homes together. Whether working on a small DIY project or a major renovation, the materials you choose make a difference. Switch to non-toxic carpentry today and create a home that supports your family’s health and well-being for years to come.

References:

1. Program, National Toxicology. “Formaldehyde.” 15th Report on Carcinogens [Internet], National Toxicology Program, 2021.
2. Adamová, Tereza, et al. “Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from Wood and Wood-Based Panels: Methods for Evaluation, Potential Health Risks, and Mitigation.” Polymers, vol. 12, no. 10, Oct. 2020, p. 2289. PubMed Central.
3. Holden, Karl A., et al. “The Impact of Poor Housing and Indoor Air Quality on Respiratory Health in Children.” Breathe, vol. 19, no. 2, June 2023, p. 230058. PubMed Central.
4. Products, Columbia Forest. “Formaldehyde-Free Hardwood Plywood, Eco-Friendly Plywood | PureBond®.” Columbia Forest Products, https://www.columbiaforestproducts.com/product/purebond-hardwood-plywood/. Accessed 6 Sept. 2024.