Green Product Category: Interior Finish & Trim

Particleboard and medium-density fiberboard (MDF) are almost always made with a urea formaldehyde (UF) binder. This is one of the largest in-home sources of formaldehyde gas—a known human carcinogen. These products can off-gas for 5 years or more into the living space. UF-based particleboard and MDF are typically used for cabinet boxes, substrates for countertops, shelving, and stair treads. If possible, these materials should be avoided. Any UF-based materials used in a building should be sealed with a low-toxic, low-permeability coating.

A few formaldehyde-free particleboard and MDF products are available, including some made with straw instead of wood fiber. These are made with a urethane-type (MDI) resin. Be aware that MDI is highly toxic before it cures, so its use increases the health risk to factory workers if a manufacturer doesn’t have good safety standards. Once cured, MDI-based wood panel products are very stable, without measurable off-gassing.

Acoustical Ceilings (7 Articles, 13 products)
Cork Wall Covering (1 Article, 3 products)
Countertops (4 Articles, 28 products)
Fiberboard and Particleboard Panels (23 Articles, 23 products)
Fiberboard Millwork (1 Article)
Gypsum Board (18 Articles, 12 products)
Gypsum Board Accessories (2 Articles, 7 products)
Gypsum Board Taping and Finishing (1 Article, 2 products)
Leather Flooring (1 product)
Plaster Forms (2 products)
Plastic Handrails (1 product)
Plastic Paneling (1 Article, 12 products)
Prefinished Paneling (33 Articles, 22 products)
Residential Cabinetry (3 Articles, 14 products)
Speciality Ceilings (1 Article, 5 products)
Terrazzo Floor Tile (1 Article, 3 products)
Tiling (1 Article, 20 products)
Wall and Corner Guards (1 Article, 7 products)
Wall Covering (9 Articles, 16 products)
Wall Covering Adhesives (6 products)
Wood Mantels (8 products)
Wood Stairs and Railings (20 products)
Wood Veneer (4 Articles, 15 products)
Wood-Veneer Paneling (5 Articles, 9 products)


BIBLIOGRAPHY ITEMS

Books

by Kari Foster et al. (2007)
 
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Image 1 Sustainable Residential Interiors by Kari Foster et al. (2007)