Medium density fiberboard (MDF) is sheet — good material used for interior nonstructural applications such as cabinetry boxes and shelving. Traditionally, MDF has been bound with urea-formaldehyde-based glues, making their use unacceptable in a healthy house. The following products are formaldehyde-free and may be available laminated with plastics or hardwood veneers:
• Arreis: Scientific Certification System certified medium density fiberboard with no formaldehyde added in the manufacturing process
• Glacier Clear: Scientific Certification System certified medium density fiberboard
with no formaldehyde added in the manufacturing process
• Medex or Medite II: Scientific Certification System certified medium density fiberboard manufactured without formaldehyde
• Wheatboard or Wheatstraw: Medium density fiberboard made from straw fiber and containing no incremental formaldehyde emissions
Although the drawers and doors on cabinetry are often made of solid wood, the boxes or cases are usually composed of particleboard, interior-grade plywood, or melamine, which has a particleboard core that is exposed where holes have been drilled for adjustable shelving. Cabinets are most often finished with solvent — based finishes that may outgas high levels of VOCs for several months.
Because standard cabinetry contributes significantly to poor indoor air quality, it is not acceptable in the healthy house. You will pay more for healthier cabinets, but in terms of indoor air quality, this is money well spent. If your budget is tight, we suggest you explore strategies that will reduce the amount of cabinetry necessary. For example, you may choose to consolidate some of your kitchen storage in a pantry area, or to use attractive solid wood open shelving for dishes or cookware as a less expensive alternative replacing some of the upper cabinets.
Finishes on wood cabinet doors and drawers are commonly solvent-based applications that will take many months to fully cure. Some of the lacquer finishes, although odorous when first applied, will completely cure before they are brought to the jobsite and will not require refinishing for many years. If these are applied in quality controlled, well — ventilated shops, they may be worth considering. Ask for a recently applied, dated sample to help make your determination. Low-VOC, water-based finishes that are more suitable for jobsite or factory application are listed in Division 9.
As cabinetmakers are becoming more familiar with the need for healthier cabinetry, and as low-VOC finishes and materials become available, the price gap between standard and healthy cabinets is decreasing. The following companies manufacture formaldehyde free or low emissions cabinetry:
• Cervitor: Distributors of metal cabinetry with a baked-on enamel finish that may be used with metal or solid wood doors and drawers
• Core Home: Cabinets manufactured to European Ei emissions standards with FSC certified products
• Humabuilt Wheat Core Cabinets: Press ed wheatboard boxes, premium-grade woods and veneers assembled with ultra-low — VOC adhesives and finishes, free of synthetic formaldehyde
• Neff Cabinets: Manufactured cabinets with a 98% reduction in formaldehyde content
• Neil Kelly Cabinets: Cabinetry system designed to meet the needs of the chemically sensitive, with cores of wheatboard or Medite II with wood veneers, and a wide variety of door and case veneers. Door and drawer fronts available with certified woods, prefinished with AFM clear sealers or paints.
For all options, specify the use of a solvent-free carpenter’s glue in the fabrication process.
The following products are formaldehyde — free sheetgoods that can be used for making cabinet boxes:
• Environ Biocomposites: Line of formaldehyde-free, agri-based sustainable panel
