I am going to install some kitchen cabinets. The structural parts are plywood, front are solid, but most of the rest is particle board. The mfr calls it something else (furniture board?), but it's plain old particle board as far as I can tell.
The particle board pieces are cover with something - either laminate or plastic - except any places that are not visible.
I know of 2 people personally who had dealings with new kitchen cabinets - one in apt , other in a house - and both suffered allergic reactions to the binding chemicals - formaldehyde or other.
Going to all-plywood or all-wood construction sends the price to a different orbit, since this would essentially be doing a 'custom' job. So for cost, we have to use as standard a material as we can.
My thought is to coat the uncovered surfaces with some kind of sealer - either a primer or water seal product - to seal in any vapors inside.
Long story, I know.... but 2 questions...
1 - Can someone recommend the best type of sealer? I have seen water- and oil-based at Home Depot, as well as various primers, etc.2 - I heard something recently about the govt outlawing carcinogens in particle board. Anyone know about that?
Whew! That's a long one. (The longer the better. :O)
Thanks.
Bob