I am hoping to incorporate Plyboo Flat Grain 3-ply plywood into my studio project. There are many elements in my design that I could apply this material on – such as flooring, doors, and cabinetry/desks.
Plyboo bamboo products, when pre-finished, is made of a singular substance – FSC certified bamboo from the Moso bamboo forest in China. Finished bamboo products are treated with a soy-based resin. This resin is created by converting soy meal/soy flour to a soy hydrolysate. Hydrolysate is the product of the chemical reaction, “hydrolysis,” the addition of water. It is then co-reacted with a phenolic resin. “Phenolic” refers to a compound with a phenol ring. Phenol is an organic compound; the soy-based resin does not contain any of the six classes of chemicals of concern. I was initially unsure if the resin contained bisphenol, but after further research, concluded that in order for a substance to contain bisphenol, it must go through a condensation reaction with acetone, which it does not. The Plyboo bamboo product I chose is under the product type of “flooring,” however, bamboo can serve multiple purposes such as cabinetry, doors, wall paneling, and other furniture. The importance of utilizing healthy materials in our designs has become more apparent. Many materials contain chemicals within them, and when applied onto interior environments that are being inhabited by people, it becomes a risk factor. Chemicals react in many different ways and through various processes. Volatilization is the process in which a chemical is vaporized. These vaporized molecules in turn can be inhaled into the body. Natural wear and tear causes abrasion, which releases small particles and dust into the atmosphere to also be inhaled. Leaching causes water and oil soluble compounds to “leach” and contaminate your food or drinks. It can also be absorbed into one’s skin. Burning and rusting are oxidation reactions that release harmful off gas into the environment. Each of these methods directly affects one’s health and can be drastically decreased by being material conscious.
