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Page 1 of 15 pages 1 2 3 > Last »
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AFM - American Formulating & Manufacturing
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Miriam Landman's Review
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Clear Coatings
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Approved by Subject Editors on September 09, 2004
Reviewed by Miriam Landman
These products use organic, plant-based ingredients and are free of toxic driers, preservatives, and solvents. Simply by virtue of using less toxic ingredients, its products are more ecological (in terms of manufacturing inputs and releases): better for public health, as well as occupant health.
AFM is one of the only companies making low-toxic stains in the United States (other similar products are made in Europe). AFM's manufacturing plant is in Los Angeles, which is relatively close to the Bay Area (compared to many other manufacturers), so this reduces the transportation distance to ship it to our region.
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Furnature
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Cassandra Adams's Review
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Furniture
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Approved by Subject Editors on September 19, 2005
Reviewed by Cassandra Adams
This is one of a number of loveseat styles made by this company (check their website). All of their products are made with organic cotton fabrics (with no sizing or chemical finishes) over non-synthetic padding (containing no foam, vinyl, or formaldehyde) on a hardwood (maple) frame fabricated with formaldehyde-free low VOC glues. They also have a process called Safewash that they utilize to detoxify "typical" upholstery fabrics, in case you want to specify something different from what they carry.
They claim that their furniture can be tolerated by chemically sensitive people, but for those who are truly chemically sensitive it might be a good idea to ask for sample materials to verify that you can tolerate them.
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Wiggers Custom Furniture
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Cassandra Adams's Review
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Furniture
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Approved by Subject Editors on May 27, 2005
Reviewed by Cassandra Adams
This table, like the company's other products, is fabricated of FSC plywood covered by a hardwood veneer. Their finishes are cured with a catalyzed process (as opposed to using solvents), which they claim emits fewer VOCs into the atmosphere. Some of their hardwood veneers are FSC certified. Others are "under-utilized" tropical hardwood species, that is, wood species that normally are destroyed and/ or burned during the harvest of the more highly "marketed" species (such as mahogany and rosewood). They carry many wood species, so ask about the ones you are thinking of purchasing. For those who are chemically sensitive, note that the FSC plywood glues contain some formaldehyde.
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Auro USA
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marycordaro's Review
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Clear Coatings
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Approved by Subject Editors on May 19, 2005
Reviewed by marycordaro
Unlike the raw materials for synthetic paints and finishes, the raw materials for Auro paints are derived from renewable resources from plants and minerals. Given the vast amount of paints and finishes used by consumers, these plant derived finishes contribute to lower dependency on resources from the petroleum industry. In addition, because certain plant ingredients preserve the products naturally, Auro paints and finishes do not contain synthetic chemical biocides, necessary in small amounts in most conventional paints and finishes. Auro finishes also do not contain glycols, a class of chemicals found particularly in polyurethane coatings. Both biocides and glycols escape the designation of "VOC", because they have much higher boiling points. However, these chemicals found in many low odor, synthetic finishes can nevertheless affect indoor air quality by introducing small amounts of pollutants over longer periods of time, often with no detectable odor. Auro paints and finishes do not pose the problem of long term pollution from glycols and biocides. During curing, Auro paints and finishes may introduce low aldehyde levels due to turpene containing ingredients, such as linseed oil. However, this is a short term problem until the product stabilizes, and is usually only a concern for those suffering from multiple chemical sensitivities. Regarding durability and maintenence, if the right product is carefully chosen for a given application as well as lifestyle, these products should perform well, and require little maintenence. Finally, like all natural surfaces, Auro paints and finishes do not create an "electrostatic charge" in the room, so surfaces stay cleaner longer, as dust does not stick to the same degree as to synthetic surfaces. They also promote a better "electro-biology" balance by promoting a better balance of negative and positive ions. Since all natural paints and finishes can be substantially more expensive than synthetic products, I recommend using Auro paints in the bedroom at a minimum, for a more healing environment in the most important room in the home.
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Auro USA
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marycordaro's Review
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Paint
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Approved by Subject Editors on August 11, 2004
Reviewed by marycordaro
Unlike the raw materials for synthetic paints and finishes, the raw materials for Auro paints are derived from renewable resources from plants and minerals. Given the vast amount of paints and finishes used by consumers, these plant derived finishes contribute to lower dependency on resources from the petroleum industry. In addition, because certain plant ingredients preserve the products naturally, Auro paints and finishes do not contain synthetic chemical biocides, necessary in small amounts in most conventional paints and finishes. Auro finishes also do not contain glycols, a class of chemicals found particularly in polyurethane coatings. Both biocides and glycols escape the designation of "VOC", because they have much higher boiling points. However, these chemicals found in many low odor, synthetic finishes can nevertheless affect indoor air quality by introducing small amounts of pollutants over longer periods of time, often with no detectable odor. Auro paints and finishes do not pose the problem of long term pollution from glycols and biocides. During curing, Auro paints and finishes may introduce low aldehyde levels due to turpene containing ingredients, such as linseed oil. However, this is a short term problem until the product stabilizes, and is usually only a concern for those suffering from multiple chemical sensitivities. Regarding durability and maintenence, if the right product is carefully chosen for a given application as well as lifestyle, these products should perform well, and require little maintenence. Finally, like all natural surfaces, Auro paints and finishes do not create an "electrostatic charge" in the room, so surfaces stay cleaner longer, as dust does not stick to the same degree as to synthetic surfaces. They also promote a better "electro-biology" balance by promoting a better balance of negative and positive ions. Since all natural paints and finishes can be substantially more expensive than synthetic products, I recommend using Auro paints in the bedroom at a minimum, for a more healing environment in the most important room in the home.
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Auro USA
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marycordaro's Review
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Stains
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Approved by Subject Editors on May 19, 2005
Reviewed by marycordaro
Unlike the raw materials for synthetic paints and finishes, the raw materials for Auro paints are derived from renewable resources from plants and minerals. Given the vast amount of paints and finishes used by consumers, these plant derived finishes contribute to lower dependency on resources from the petroleum industry. In addition, because certain plant ingredients preserve the products naturally, Auro paints and finishes do not contain synthetic chemical biocides, necessary in small amounts in most conventional paints and finishes. Auro finishes also do not contain glycols, a class of chemicals found particularly in polyurethane coatings. Both biocides and glycols escape the designation of "VOC", because they have much higher boiling points. However, these chemicals found in many low odor, synthetic finishes can nevertheless affect indoor air quality by introducing small amounts of pollutants over longer periods of time, often with no detectable odor. Auro paints and finishes do not pose the problem of long term pollution from glycols and biocides. During curing, Auro paints and finishes may introduce low aldehyde levels due to turpene containing ingredients, such as linseed oil. However, this is a short term problem until the product stabilizes, and is usually only a concern for those suffering from multiple chemical sensitivities. Regarding durability and maintenence, if the right product is carefully chosen for a given application as well as lifestyle, these products should perform well, and require little maintenence. Finally, like all natural surfaces, Auro paints and finishes do not create an "electrostatic charge" in the room, so surfaces stay cleaner longer, as dust does not stick to the same degree as to synthetic surfaces. They also promote a better "electro-biology" balance by promoting a better balance of negative and positive ions. Since all natural paints and finishes can be substantially more expensive than synthetic products, I recommend using Auro paints in the bedroom at a minimum, for a more healing environment in the most important room in the home.
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EcoTimber
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Debra Lynn Dadd's Review
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Flooring
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Approved by Subject Editors on September 12, 2004
Reviewed by Debra Lynn Dadd
Bamboo is a very fast-growing plant--can cut, regrow, and harvest in a very short period of time. It truly is a renewable resource within a time-span that can be renewed.
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Earth Weave
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Marian Keeler's Review
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Flooring
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Approved by Subject Editors on May 06, 2005
Reviewed by Marian Keeler
Earth Weave Carpet Mills, like most well-known carpet manufacturers, is located in Georgia (Dalton). Unlike most of its competitors, though, Earth Weave has an environmental edge. It manufactures a series called "Bio-Floor" in three weights, McKinley (44 oz.), Pyrenees (38 oz.) and Dolomite (30 oz.) and four colrs. The weight you choose should be related to the type and amount of traffic expected on the floor and the level of warmth and acoustic privacy desired. The carpets are 100% undyed and untreated wool, in limited color choices, all tufted textured loop, using only the stuff of sheep. Although the term "natural" doesn't always equal "safe" or "best" in the environmental building world, this is one case where the moniker fits exactly.
To minimize IAQ emissions concenrs, Earth Weave does not use moth-proofing, chemical bonds or dyes in the processing of Bio-Floor. The primary layer is made from a blend of cottom and hemp. Recommended adhesives are water based and secondary backing is rubber. Virgin rubber has less of an odor than recycled rubber, thus, only a slight odor may be noticeable. Odor may be an indication of other emissions, but emissions testing of rubber floors are vaired and inconclusive.
Because it is "sheep-sourced" Earth Weave's Bio-Floor is biodegradable. This is a great environmental story.
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Earth Weave
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Marian Keeler's Review
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Flooring
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Approved by Subject Editors on August 04, 2004
Reviewed by Marian Keeler
Earth Weave Carpet Mills, like most well-known carpet manufacturers, is located in Georgia (Dalton). Unlike most of its competitors, though, Earth Weave has an environmental edge. It manufactures a series called "Bio-Floor" in three weights, McKinley (44 oz.), Pyrenees (38 oz.) and Dolomite (30 oz.) and four colrs. The weight you choose should be related to the type and amount of traffic expected on the floor and the level of warmth and acoustic privacy desired. The carpets are 100% undyed and untreated wool, in limited color choices, all tufted textured loop, using only the stuff of sheep. Although the term "natural" doesn't always equal "safe" or "best" in the environmental building world, this is one case where the moniker fits exactly.
To minimize IAQ emissions concenrs, Earth Weave does not use moth-proofing, chemical bonds or dyes in the processing of Bio-Floor. The primary layer is made from a blend of cottom and hemp. Recommended adhesives are water based and secondary backing is rubber. Virgin rubber has less of an odor than recycled rubber, thus, only a slight odor may be noticeable. Odor may be an indication of other emissions, but emissions testing of rubber floors are vaired and inconclusive.
Because it is "sheep-sourced" Earth Weave's Bio-Floor is biodegradable. This is a great environmental story.
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Earth Weave
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Marian Keeler's Review
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Flooring
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Approved by Subject Editors on May 06, 2005
Reviewed by Marian Keeler
Earth Weave Carpet Mills, like most well-known carpet manufacturers, is located in Georgia (Dalton). Unlike most of its competitors, though, Earth Weave has an environmental edge. It manufactures a series called "Bio-Floor" in three weights, McKinley (44 oz.), Pyrenees (38 oz.) and Dolomite (30 oz.) and four colrs. The weight you choose should be related to the type and amount of traffic expected on the floor and the level of warmth and acoustic privacy desired. The carpets are 100% undyed and untreated wool, in limited color choices, all tufted textured loop, using only the stuff of sheep. Although the term "natural" doesn't always equal "safe" or "best" in the environmental building world, this is one case where the moniker fits exactly.
To minimize IAQ emissions concenrs, Earth Weave does not use moth-proofing, chemical bonds or dyes in the processing of Bio-Floor. The primary layer is made from a blend of cottom and hemp. Recommended adhesives are water based and secondary backing is rubber. Virgin rubber has less of an odor than recycled rubber, thus, only a slight odor may be noticeable. Odor may be an indication of other emissions, but emissions testing of rubber floors are vaired and inconclusive.
Because it is "sheep-sourced" Earth Weave's Bio-Floor is biodegradable. This is a great environmental story.
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