kitchen conversations

Off gassing of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and indoor air quality are subjects of growing concern for many people, especially if someone in the home is hypersensitive to chemicals or has a respiratory aliment.   Increased attention over the last several years has focused on how the materials in our homes can generate dangerous levels of VOCs and the effects it can have on our health.

The vast majorities of VOCs are not harmful or regulated and are found in both the manufacturing environment, and surprisingly significant amounts, in our natural environment.  Remember that all plants and animals “off gas” in various ways.  The VOCs that are known to be harmful are regulated in the United States on a federal level by the EPA , and often on a more stringently basis by individual state environmental protection agencies 

 VOC’s are present in or emitted by thousands of products:

Cleaning Supplies	Air Fresheners	Refrigerants	Pesticides
Dry Cleaned Clothes	Perm. Markers	Bldg. Materials	Drugs
Office Equipment	Disinfectants	Furnishings	Fuels
Craft Materials	Paints & Lacquers	Propellants	Solvents

 What do VOCs have to do with Kitchen Cabinetry?

When it comes to your kitchen cabinetry, it is important to realize that “Not all boards are created equal!”   Cheaper varieties of products are cheap for a reason.  The product’s price more often than not will indicate if it was manufactured with resins containing high levels of urea formaldehyde , or with no added urea formaldehyde (NAUF) compliant resins.  Cheaper cabinetry may also contain high levels of VOCs from varnishes, stains and glues.  The finished product may be “cheaper” in the short run, but could cause traumatic and costly health problems in the long run. 

Holiday Kitchens is a privately-held cabinet manufacturer that has been in business for over 60 years and is one of the top 10 custom cabinet manufacturers in the USA.  Our Robin Wilson Home Custom Cabinetry Collection offers the most complete line of eco-friendly cabinetry in the industry.  Our focus is on creating quality, healthy, eco-friendly cabinetry through the utilization of low-VOC paints and stains and VOC- free glues.  Our Robin Wilson Home Collection of green (eco-friendly) cabinetry includes no added urea formaldehyde options.

This is just one of Holiday Kitchens’ many shades of Green!