Formaldehyde-Free Kitchens

Particle board is the base material used in most manufactured kitchen cabinets. The board is usually made of cellulose reconstituted with the use of urea formaldehyde resin, and made into panels that are cut into boards for constructing furniture and building products. Formaldehyde is a recognized carcinogen, and a sensitizer, meaning that exposure to formaldehyde can make a person more sensitive to other chemicals.

There are safer alternatives!

Custom order solid wood cabinets made with sustainably harvested wood. One cabinetmaker in Oregon uses sustainable wood and low-VOC finishes; and another in Arkansas,
Second Life Furniture.
Install metal cabinets.
Search out salvage companies big enough to store kitchens. It is not farfetched that they might have used solid wood kitchen cabinets. Check your Yellow Pages under “Salvage.”
Formaldehyde is banned from use in furniture products made in Europe, so investigate buying kitchen cabinets imported from there.
Find a source for kitchen cabinets using PrimeBoard, a “particle board” made of wheat straw that reportedly is emission-free and exceeds industry standards for particle board.

Caution: Particle board can outgas formaldehyde for the life of the product. The outgassing is made worse when it is heated, such as when it is in the sun, or near a heater or oven.

Read more: Home, Green Kitchen Tips, Health & Safety

By Annie B. Bond

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Jack S.

5:53AM PDT on Oct 1, 2010

Great information. My kitchen cabinets are fairly new, so I don't know if I will be affected.

send a green star

Deirdre M.

5:57PM PDT on Jun 28, 2010

I have cabinets from the 70's, not wood, some laminate composite combo, could they still off gas and cause me problems if I am severely chemically sensitive or do they stop off gassing at some point? If several are removed would this create off gassing? Also, I'm wondering about the safety of Ikea cabinets, great price, and they say they have gone below even California's formaldehyde regulations, but are they a safe and healthy budget friendly alternative to wood?

Philippa P.

8:05PM PDT on Jun 11, 2010

Great info.

11:44AM PDT on Apr 16, 2010

THANKS!

Past Member .

11:54PM PST on Jan 18, 2010

Kitchen Cabinets offered by Cabinet Giant, bathroom vanities, wholesale cabinets and factory direct cabinets.Discount cabinets, free kitchen cabinet design help are available.For more details follow the Link: http://www.cabinetgiant.com

Tzvi M.

4:59PM PST on Nov 25, 2009

I design,build and manufacture green cabinetry in south florida. My website has several green projects that are labelled with a leaf design. visit www.morantzcabinets for more information. Tzvi Morantz.

Michael K.

11:17PM PST on Nov 1, 2009

For ECO friendly kitchen cabinets in LOS ANGELES go to Bradco Kitchens on Pico Blvd. Formaldehyde free and Low VOC. FSC certified.

Renee S.

1:22PM PDT on Sep 3, 2008

I know of a cabinetmaker in north central arkansas, that makes great furniture and cabinetry without all the chemicals and formaldehyde. He can be found at www.healthycabinetmakers.com

Joel B.

3:07PM PDT on Mar 10, 2008

I've been researching green cabinets for RSI Kitchen & Bath in St. Louis and have written an article about green cabinets for GreenOptions.com found here.

I want to echo David Summer's sentiments on the wheatcore cabinets that Koch Cabinets makes in Kansas. Known as Humabuilt Cabinets, the combination of renewable resource and low-VOC (plus the proximity bonus for midwesterners) make these the most green-building-friendly cabinets around.

Holly T.

9:41PM PST on Nov 30, 2007

this has been an issue here in the Netherlands and I am about to move. Had wanted to put triplex on the floor of my studio for making sculptures- now I need to really check out the safety of the wood in terms of gasses. Thanks for the reminder