GBlist: Bamboo flooring: Formaldehyde and working conditions

[David Del Porto <sustainable@aics.net>]

>When I read about the concerns about bamboo flooring, I contacted a 
>colleague who imports this material from China http://www.timbergrass.com 
>His product has always had the best reputation for quality and the answers 
>which I quote below, give him a good grade on chemicals and social issues 
>as well.
>
>David Del Porto
>
>>1.      Our adhesive has 0.02/mg of formaldehyde which means 6.5 times 
>>less formaldehyde than the current E1 (European) standards which are 
>>stricter than our U.S. standards.  I believe we are the manufacturer EBN 
>>has mentioned as using a virtually formaldehyde-free adhesive.
>>
>>
>>2.      The source of the bamboo used in our products is from independent 
>>farmers in in the southern mountain region of China outside 
>>Shanghai.  They are given plots of land by the government and manage 
>>their harvest well because this is the sole source of their income.  They 
>>would be foolish to do otherwise.  The factory owner we work with 
>>exclusively purchases the harvested bamboo from these farmers.
>>
>>
>>         We have a Chinese associate in our company who lives here in the 
>> Seattle area.  He helps us with interpreting and travels to China about 
>> every quarter.  When we are there, we inspect for quality, working 
>> conditions, etc.  These are happy people who are glad to have jobs (they 
>> are well paid).

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E-mail: daviddelporto@ecological-engineering.com	
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