ECOBoard uses only sustainable supplies of agricultural waste and residues. Since the waste and residue used comes from currently available crops, no woodland is being cleared for our source material. In this way, ECOBoard helps with woodland preservation.

What is Formaldehyde?

Formaldehyde is a colorless, strong-smelling gas. It is widely used to manufacture building materials and numerous household products. It’s most significantly used in homes as an adhesive resin in pressed wood products. There are two types of formaldehyde resins: Urea Formaldehyde (UF) and Phenol Formaldehyde (PF). Products made of Urea Formaldehyde can release formaldehyde gas; products made of Phenol Formaldehyde generally emit lower levels of the gas.

Health effects?

According to the Environmental Protection Agency Formaldehyde is a colorless, pungent-smelling gas, that can cause CANCER , burning sensations in the eyes, nose and throat, nausea, fatigue, skin rash, watery eyes, severe allergic reactions and difficulty in breathing when exposed at elevated levels . High concentrations may trigger attacks in people with asthma. There is evidence that some people can develop sensitivity to formaldehyde. This may also cause other effects listed under “organic gasses.”, to be found on the EPA website.

Where is it found?

Formaldehyde is an important industrial chemical used to make other chemicals, building materials, and household products. Building products made with formaldehyde resins can emit formaldehyde gas. These products include particleboard used as sub-flooring or shelving, fibreboards in cabinets and furniture and plywood wall panels. Some sources that previously contained formaldehyde are either no longer used, or have been reformulated in order to contain less formaldehyde.

Solution?

ECOBoards are manufactured using MDI polyurethane as a binding agent that produces a “zero formaldehyde” or “formaldehyde free” material. This means that ECOBoards have emissions far below the strict E0 European low formaldehyde (LF) standard and the USA (HUD 24) standard. ECOBoards are therefore suitable for specification in environmentally sensitive areas.

Old Solution?

To obtain the strict formaldehyde emissions, the urea glue that is used in traditional boards is added with extra chemicals that contain the formaldehyde. This makes the boards totally unsuitable for recycling, composting or burning!