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My husband and I are preparing for a kitchen renovation, and we are eagerly in search of materials that won’t hurt the planet or our health in order to give us a beautiful cooking and eating space. For countertops, cabinets, and floors, that means minimizing our exposure to VOCs, often referred to as “offgassing.”
Eco-friendly design literature talks about VOCs much like how eco-cosmetics experts talk about parabens–it’s a ubiquitous concern. For kitchens, the best materials (like IceStone countertops – recycled glass suspended in a concrete matrix….in yummy colors!) don’t emit any at all.
But what are VOCs, anyway, and why should we be worried about them? First, VOC stands for Volatile Organic Compound, so let’s break that down:
Volatile: meaning a substance that vaporaizes or evaporates into the atmosphere under normal conditions.
Organic: meaning any chemical that contains carbon.
Compound: meaning a substance formed by the combination of two or more distinct chemicals.
So why are VOCs bad for indoor air quality and general health? Click here for the EPA’s literature on VOCs. But if you’d rather have me translate:
The most common VOC is methane, which we know is a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. For the kitchen, though, the chief area of VOC concern is in the wood preservatives (chiefly formaldehyde) that are found in many wood floors and cabinets (not to mention cleaning solvents, but that’s a post-design conversation….). When the VOCs vaporize into the atmosphere, they get into our bodies through our nose and mouth. And that can lead to asthmatic or allergic symptoms, as well as headaches and general immune system supression.
Other things that can emit VOCs in your home:
–some office equipment, including laser printers
–cigarette smoke (emits benzene, a known carcinogen. But you knew that, right?)
–carpets
–paints
–insulation
So what’s to be done? Two things, really: ventilate your home to give those gasses somewhere to go other than your lungs, and choose low- or no-VOC materials whenever possible. Here are some to get you started:
GreenHome Guide’s Cabinet Page
What do you know about VOCs? What choices have you made to minimize them in your home?
(image via: http://www.idigitalemotion.com/tutorials/guest/stellar/sky.jpg)
posted April 30, 2009 at 6:34 pm
MCUs (also called moisture curing polyurethanes) are a type of polyurethane that is used to coat wood floors in homes.
Are MCUs dangerous to health?
MCUs contain solvents and reactive chemicals that evaporate into the air and cause strong odors. Brief exposures to elevated levels of MCU vapors can cause temporary irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, worsen asthma, and cause health effects such as headaches, nausea, and dizziness. Very high exposures can lead to more serious health effects such as organ damage, birth defects or pregnancy complications, chemical allergies, and, possibly, cancer.
How can I avoid health problems if my neighbor or I use MCU on wood floors?
First, you should always consider using a safer and less volatile product. If MCU is being applied in your home, it is recommended that you leave your home for four weeks. When you return to your home, open windows and doors to air out lingering odors. If your neighbor uses MCU and you live in a multi-family building, ventilate common hallways and stairwells during application and curing to remove odors and vapors.
What chemicals are in MCUs?
The specific chemicals in MCUs vary from brand to brand but they typically contain:
• Xylene, Ethylbenzene, and Acetates – examples of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are solvents that evaporate at room temperature and are commonly found in MCUs. VOCs can be harmful and are regulated by New York State. Until 31 December 2004, the maximum level of total VOCs must be below 450 g/L. On 1 January 2005, the maximum level will drop to 350 g/L. The level of VOCs must be printed on the MCU can label. At present many MCU products exceed the legal limit for VOC concentration.
• Toluene diisocyanate (TDI) – reactive chemical that makes some vapors
• Urethane polymers – reactive chemicals that are thick and don’t easily evaporate
Has sampling been done by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene?
In response to community concerns, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) performed limited sampling in a multi-family building while MCU was being used. Air samples were collected in common hallways and in an apartment where MCU was not used. DOHMH found that the levels of MCU chemicals in the air in the common hallways of the building were much higher than in the untreated apartment. The hallway levels detected could cause headaches, irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and lungs, and worsen asthma in some individuals. More severe health effects would be expected.
It is important to note that these sampling results do not provide us with information about how long or at what levels these chemicals would continue to be present. Also, air levels at different buildings where MCUs are used will vary based on the amount of product used, surface area treated, and ventilation. For a complete copy of this report, see Environmental Investigation of Chemical Ingredients of Moisture Cure Urethanes Used as Wood Floor Coatings.
Will the finished product cause health problems?
After the MCU is applied, the curing process begins and the liquid coating is transformed into a hardened surface. The hardened surface is generally considered to be inert and non-hazardous. In addition to being used in coating surfaces, polyurethane products are commonly used in clothing, such as “spandex”, foam products, packing materials, and cushions.
Are there safer polyurethanes that can be used to finish wood floors?
There are many types of polyurethanes that can be used to coat wood floors. Common alternatives to MCUs include water-based polyurethanes and oil-based polyurethanes. These products also use chemical solvents that evaporate into the air. Water-based polyurethanes usually produce fewer odors and may contain less toxic ingredients but should be used with care. Oil-based products usually contain strong smelling solvents that may cause health concerns similar to MCUs. As with any chemical product, the manufacturer’s instructions must be followed. Improving ventilation can help to reduce the levels of airborne chemicals regardless of the product used.
posted April 30, 2009 at 6:46 pm
ATSDR Releases Investigation of Airborne Exposures to Moisture Cure Urethane Report
Brooklyn County, New York, New York
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) released its exposure investigation report about airborne exposure to moisture cure urethane (MCU), a finish applied to wood floors, in homes in the Williamsburg Hasidic community in Brooklyn, N.Y.
During the application and curing process, MCU releases several chemical vapors into the air. The main chemical vapors of concern are toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) ethyl benzene and xylenes. Once MCU is fully cured, vapors are no longer released.
The report, Airborne Exposures to Moisture Cure Urethane in Multi-Family Residential Buildings, describes the investigation to determine if TDI and VOC vapors were entering neighboring apartments or shared hallways during or after MCU was applied; whether exposures to the vapors were occurring at levels that could be harmful to health and how long the vapors remained in the air or the treated apartment after the final coat of MCU was applied.
Based on sampling data, ATSDR general findings conclude that:
When MCU is used in an apartment, VOCs move through the air to other parts of the building. Neighbors may be involuntarily exposed to these VOCs.
VOCs likely reached and stayed at levels that can be harmful to health during and after the use of MCU products with a VOC content of 550 grams/liter.
Twenty four hours after the third coat of MCU was applied, VOC levels in a treated apartment were likely to cause health effects. However, VOCs were released for more than 43 hours after the third MCU coat.
In addition to conclusions, the report includes the following recommendations:
MCU with a VOC content of 550 grams/liter should not be used in occupied, multi-family buildings.
Residents and neighbors should wait at least four weeks after the final coating of MCU before returning home.
The VOC content of any product, if high enough, could pose a health hazard when used indoors. It is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for safe use.
Health education about MCU and other chemical exposures should be provided for community members and health care providers.
A condensed summary of the report and a fact sheet are available in Yiddish. To request a copy of either of these documents or the full report call 1-888-422-8737; or send a written request to:
ATSDR
Records Center
1600 Clifton Road, NE (MS E-60)
Atlanta, GA 30333
posted May 1, 2009 at 5:52 am
Well there ya go! Often outside air is much fresher than inside air. My dear American chinese family that I was living with for many a day. Taught me to always sleep with the window open a least a crack even during winter. Allowing fresh air to nourish your lungs while sleeping. Heavy blanket cool fresh air. My sister is building a home. I’ll be sure she reads this. So helpful, thank you
posted May 1, 2009 at 8:21 am
VOC’s includes any volatile organic compound – and the major source of VOC’s in the kitchen is cooking/foods. None of these have been determined to be safe.
This article is merely more enviro-puritanism.
posted May 1, 2009 at 10:19 am
Great tips about considering the VOC issues. Off-gassing from vinyls, glues, etc continues for a very long time, presenting a health hazard that continues to build up indoors. Plus, it causes serious health problems immediately and over lengthened exposure. Shopping to avoid VOCs and MCUs and other harmful things is quite difficult and it takes a lot of effort. But your health (and your ability to concentrate sans throbbing, daily headaches) is handsomely rewarded for your efforts.
I recently used Mythic Paint (http://www.mythicpaint.com/) and I was very pleased with it. Check it out for when you’re painting the newly renovated kitchen.
posted May 1, 2009 at 10:53 am
Great tips,thank you.Though i wish i can buy a house of my own,i think
it is still a dream and with my income,it is impossible for me to own a house.Anyway,i can share those tips to my friends.Again,thank you.
posted December 13, 2009 at 1:58 am
One of the leading inquirers for the results has made it his business to rent air purified machines. so much for his credibility.
posted August 30, 2010 at 6:03 pm
Great and simplified explanation of VOCs…and the importance of clean indoor health. It is sad that most people take this health threat too lightly…they have been warned!
posted October 30, 2010 at 9:42 am
And that can lead to asthmatic or allergic symptoms, as well as headaches and general immune system supression.
posted February 2, 2011 at 3:33 pm
Great article! VOC are just one of many potential indoor air pollutants. To learn more about toxins in our home feel free to visit our site. http://www.airmd.com
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