One of the most environmentally friendly materials for the production of furniture is solid wood.
However, when we talk about the final product that the buyer receives, it is not only about the wood, but also about the additives used in its manufacture. One example is the cabinetmaker's glue.
"Is your cabinetmaker's glue toxin-free? Is your furniture board formaldehyde-free? We are simply looking for products without toxic glue!" - Our support team receives questions like this almost daily.
To understand the difference between the glue you use when crafting with your child and the glue manufacturers use, take a look at the following classification:
- organic glue (vegetable and animal glue, e.g., PVA glue).
- inorganic (silicate glue)
- synthetic (epoxy glue, etc.).
The latter are the most dangerous. They contain solvents such as acetone, phenol, dichloroethane, gasoline and others, which are released into the environment during gluing and, of course, are harmful to health.
Epoxy glue can cause illness if it comes into contact with the skin (so gloves should be worn) and can affect the nervous system and liver. It is better not to use them in a house where there are small children, as well as people suffering from allergic diseases, obstructive bronchitis and asthma.
Inhalation of phenol-formaldehyde vapors has negative effects on the respiratory and nervous systems and on the organs of vision. They can also trigger allergies. Through the respiratory system, these substances enter the blood, nervous and sexual systems, as well as the eyes.
The average buyer cannot judge whether his furniture is emitting dangerous formaldehydes and toxins.
However, if the furniture emits a pungent, unpleasant odor for a month or more, irritates the mucous membranes of the eyes and causes headaches, it should be discarded.
In some models of Hansales furniture we use glue. A natural glue, similar in composition to a porridge: Water and rice.
Our carpenter's glue does not contain any other ingredients, so you can even taste it if you wish. This is especially important for children.
We have adopted the technology for the production of such glue from the Japanese. White rice is crushed and boiled in a certain amount of water for a long time. This is exactly what is needed.
Rice glue is not only environmentally friendly, safe and hypoallergenic, it also does not contain acids that could destroy the materials to be glued. This was tested by builders in ancient China. It was a rice glue that bonded all the stone slabs of the Great Wall of China.
Later, chemists found out which substance in glutinous rice makes the solution so strong.
The researchers believe that amylopectin, one of the polysaccharides (complex carbohydrates) found in rice and some other "starchy" products, is responsible for the solution's legendary power.
As the saying goes, everything new is the well forgotten old. Thus, with rice glue we have made a kind of revolution in the production of furniture in Europe.