Magic plaster wall absorbs chemicals

As concerns continue to grow about indoor air quality and exposure to toxic chemicals in our homes and schools, we've seen a plethora of new wall and floor treatments that eliminate chemicals like formaldehyde and other VOC's (volatile organic compounds). But until now, there hasn't been a surface that absorbs these toxic compounds.

Based on the plaster walls found in centuries-old Japanese temples, the Japanese company Shikoku International has formulated a modern version of the chemical-absorbing wall surface called Eco De Vita. The key ingredient is a high-porosity diatomaceous earth, a soft sedimentary rock made up of fossilized diatoms, a type of prehistoric hard-shelled algae. The cell structure of the fossil allows for an extremely high absorption rate of adjoining minerals (and chemicals).

This is great news for homeowners who are trying to improve the quality of the air inside their homes. Mortgage Daily News reports that off-gassing of formaldehyde and other VOC's is the primary reason for unhealthy indoor air and is a very common problem in US homes. Carpets, drapes, mattresses, furniture, cabinets, wall and floor finishes, even insulation materials often contain urea-formaldehyde, which will off-gas into the air you breath for up to 30 years! OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration) has linked VOC's to increased rates of asthma and cancer.

Source: mnn.comAdded: 22 January 2009