Fascinating fact on kitchen cabinets

In preparing for an upcoming Homemakers magazine story, I interviewed Christine Lolley of Solares yesterday. Solares is an architectural firm specializing in sustainable design; Christine is a LEED-certified architect and the firm’s co-founder. Among the fascinating facts about homebuilding materials Christine shared was a shocker about kitchen cabinets. Most veneered particleboard cabinets are made with adhesives containing formaldehyde, a volatile organic compound (VOC), toxic irritant and a carcinogen. While some VOCs can off-gas fairly quickly, the formaldehyde in kitchen cabinets can take as long as 15 years to dissipate! Naturally, Lolley recommends solid wood with a VOC-free finish, or an Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified, formaldehyde-free compound material.

How have you tried to build a healthy environment in your home?