[SustainableTompkins] PaperStone/PaperCrete and concrete countertops and linoleum

[Margaret McCasland]

Hi Maura,

I don't know all the technical background of the production process 
of linoleum. In general, and as a user rather than an expert on 
ecotoxicology, I love it!

I started using Marmoleum for flooring  after having seen Blue Vinyl. 
It does off-gas to start with, but the odor hasn't bothered me (but I 
recently got sick from new carpeting).

And it is so beautiful and durable:  it won't have to be thrown out 
in 5 years (or even 10 or maybe 20). If you use it, just get a color 
you can live with for a LONG time. . .  Durability is one of the 
ecological choices we can make (there are production costs for 
anything).

As for the off-gassing, of course it depends on what someone is 
allergic to. However I am VERY allergic to flax when ingested, but as 
I said above, linoleum did not make me sick, even tho it is made from 
linseed oil from the flax plant.

  I do know some natural products are not good for us (eg, I believe 
lavender is a hormone disruptor). I have yet to hear anything about 
linoleum.  Some linseed oil is nasty because it is mixed with 
petroluem distillates, but that is another story . . .

Good luck,

Margaret

PS Marmoleum needs a plywood underlayment in most cases, which would 
put it over 1/8".  So if you go with it, you may need to have it 
installed not to Marmoleum specs, which would void the warranty.  I 
did that with my second piece to save $; I trusted it to last long 
enough not to need the warranty.



>Dear friends,
>
>I have three queries:
>1) Anyone know of a local person (with contact info please) who can
>create and install concrete countertops?
>   
>
>2) Anyone know of a local person (contact info too) who can install
>PaperStone (recycled paper) countertops? There is a dealer near
>Binghamton, but they can't put me in touch with an installer.
>
>3) Also, does anyone know why linoleum production might be harmful to
>the environment? I'm told the production has some bad byproducts, but
>can't find anything reliable about that except for things circulated by
>the vinyl industry. Anybody knowledgeable want to chime in on lino vs
>vinyl (I have seen "Blue Vinyl," so am loathe to use anything with
>vinyl, but if linoleum is just as toxic I'm not sure what to do. I can't
>use stone, slate, tile, or wood in the room in question and need
>something less than 1/8 inch thick.)
>
>Thanks much,
>
>Maura
>
>_______________________________________________
>RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for:
>SustainableTompkins at lists.mutualaid.org
>http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins
>free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org