Cabinets

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Cabinets Contents:

CSI NUMBER
DEFINITION
CONSIDERATIONS
COMMERCIAL STATUS
IMPLEMENTATION ISSUES
GUIDELINES
RESOURCES

PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE
COMPONENTS / MATERIALS / SYSTEMS
GENERAL ASSISTANCE

Most conventional cabinets are made of plywood with interior grade glue, particle board, or medium density fiberboard all of which outgas urea formaldehyde. The use of solid wood, metal, or formaldehyde-free materials will mitigate a potential indoor air quality problem. A low pressure laminate such as melamine can seal in urea formaldehyde.

The costs of employing these alternative materials are higher than conventional materials. An additional option is to seal the particleboard, interior plywood, or medium density fiberboard (MDF) components with a finish that prevents outgassing. This should be done prior to installation since it is necessary to access all the edges and backs.

Solid domestic hardwood cabinets use a wood resource (domestic hardwood trees)which has a positive growth/removal rate on a national basis (trees are growing at a faster rate than they are being removed). Any solid wood components of cabinets using MDF or plywood can also be specified to be a domestic hardwood.

	Commercial Status				Implementation Issues
Solid Domestic Hardwood
Least Toxic Material

Legend
	Satisfactory
	Satisfactory in most conditions
	Satisfactory in Limited Conditions
	Unsatisfactory or Difficult

TECHNOLOGY:

Well-developed for solid wood cabinetry. Least toxic alternatives are early in development.

SUPPLIERS:

Kitchen cabinet suppliers and architectural mill shops supply solid cabinetry. Formaldehyde free cabinet material must be ordered from out of the area and put into custom built cabinets.

COST:

Costs for solid cabinetry exceed conventional cabinet costs in varying amounts according to wood type.

FINANCING:

Available.

PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE:

Solid wood cabinets can be considered a "healthy home" issue and would have broad-based appeal. Solid wood cabinets are highly valued as an aesthetic and quality enhancement.

REGULATORY:

None.

• Standard practices apply to installing solid cabinetry.

• Plywood without urea formaldehyde or medium density fiberboard can be used as part of the cabinets to help offset high costs.

• If sealing particleboard or other urea formaldehyde containing components, be certain to cover all surfaces. This is best done before the cabinets are installed.

Environmental Health Services
Mary E. Oetzel
3202 W. Anderson Lane, #208-249
Austin, TX 78757
(512) 288-2369

Clint Good
Box 143
Lincoln, VA 22078
(703) 478-1352

Environment Associates
4219 Richmond Ave. Set 250
Houston, TX 77027-6889
(713) 528-000

Safe Environments
2512 9th St. #17
Berkeley, CA 94710
(800) 356-2663

HealthMasters, Inc.
P. O. Box 514
New Canaan, CT 06480
(203) 966-3541

Ecologically Safe Homes
7471 North Shiloh Rd.
Unionville, IN 47468
(812) 332-5073

Medite Corp.
P. O. Box 4040
Medford, OR 97501
(503) 773-2522
Medex formaldehyde free MDF

Texas Kiln Products
Rt. 1, Box 66
Bastrop, TX 78602
(800) 825-9158
Texas hardwoods and others

Frank Paxton Lumber Co.
3907 S. Industrial Dr.
Austin, TX 78744
(512) 443-0777
Medex formaldehyde free MDF,Hardwood

Eagle Hardwood-Plywood Supply
813 Airport Blvd.
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 385-2016
Hardwood

Fine Lumber and Plywood
9407 Brown Lane
Austin, TX 78754
(512) 836-8990
Medex formaldehyde free MDF, Hardwood

Austin Hardwoods, Inc.
2119 Goodrich
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 442-4001

National Particleboard Association
18929 Premiere Court
Gaithersburg, MD 20879
(301) 670-0604

EPA - Public Information Office
401 M. St. SW
Washington, DC 20460
(202) 382-2080

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