#ALTERNATIVES TO SKIM COATING WALLS FREE#

Paula Melton, Avoiding Toxic Chemicals in Commercial Building Products.Check compatibility of these alternatives with different joint compounds. It is also moisture resistant, but has a high carbon footprint because it must be shipped to the U.S. One type, called MgO board, is made with magnesium oxide and recycled wood dust. Products without gypsum produce less harmful dust during cutting. There are drywall alternatives available that do not contain gypsum and do not require the energy-intensive heating processes for production. Whether you’re doing the work yourself or hiring a contractor, make sure the work area is properly isolated from the rest of the home. Using a vacuum sander can also reduce exposure to dust.

If you are undertaking a home project that involves cutting or sanding drywall, make sure to wear proper personal protection equipment, including a respirator that has been properly fitted for you. If the drywall contains silica, long-term exposure can cause cancer or lung diseases.

The dust can irritate your respiratory system and cause persistent coughing or difficulty breathing. Harmful DustĬutting drywall and sanding dried joint compound can expose you to harmful chemicals in the dust. One alternative, made from 100 percent recycled milk and food cartons, is moisture resistant and does not emit VOCs. There are low-carbon-footprint, high-recycled material drywall alternatives that are comparable in cost to standard drywall. The manufacturing of standard drywall is energy intensive, producing millions of tons of greenhouse gases each year. Instead, we recommend using non-paper-faced drywall when moisture is an issue. To counter mold, drywall is often treated with harmful biocides, or antimicrobial chemicals, but these may not be very effective. In rooms with moist air, like bathrooms, paper-faced drywall can support the growth of mold. Powdered joint compounds that must be mixed on site are less likely to contain biocides, but may pose increased inhalation concerns, so use appropriate ventilation and protection equipment.

#ALTERNATIVES TO SKIM COATING WALLS FREE#

Look for joint compound that is low in VOCs, biocide free, and free of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde. Most premixed joint compounds contain harmful biocides like tributyltin, which is a potent endocrine disruptor and is highly toxic to aquatic life. Joint Compoundĭrywall joint compound can contain harmful ingredients, including formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, both known carcinogens, and crystalline silica, which is a carcinogen when inhaled. Mercury-free alternatives that do not contain any type of gypsum are available. For these reasons, drywall made from synthetic gypsum is not recommended. Although it may seem like recycling materials is a good thing, the mercury captured in power plant waste is released into the air in significant quantities from factories making the drywall. Studies have shown that drywall made from coal waste can emit levels of mercury that are more than 10 times higher than that from mined gypsum. This is particularly a problem with synthetically produced gypsum. Mercuryĭepending on the source of the gypsum, drywall may contain heavy metals, including mercury, which is a dangerous neurotoxin. The new law also requires labeling of drywall with the name of the manufacturer, the country of origin and the date it was made. have less than 10 parts per million of sulfur. In 2015, the federal government enacted a new law requiring that drywall manufactured in or imported to the U.S.

(See the commission's Remediation Guidance listed under Resources at the end of this section.) The commission's investigation found similar problems in some homes with drywall believed to be made in the U.S. In 2013, the commission recommended replacement of all drywall in affected homes. Residents reported trouble breathing, headaches, nosebleeds and other symptoms severe enough to force them from their homes. The Chinese drywall released high levels of sulfur gas, which can corrode wiring and appliances, and is also a health hazard. In 2009, drywall imported from China triggered thousands of complaints to the U.S. You should never work with drywall without protective gear. Even now, limits exist for only one contaminant, sulfur, yet biocides and other chemicals added to drywall may also raise health concerns. Until recently, there were no regulations on contaminants in drywall. The gypsum used to make drywall can be mined, made synthetically from coal-fired power plant waste or recovered from recycled drywall. Drywall-also known as wallboard, plasterboard, gypsum board, or by the brand name Sheetrock-has largely replaced plaster in interior walls and ceilings.

Alternatives to skim coating walls