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This is what we’ve been talking about from the beginning. Oceans of Isocyanates are made every year. Year after Year! How can that not be bad? Mountain is the worlds only 100% natural urethane. ZERO isocyanates are used in it’s production. Zero. Very hard to do.  NanoTech is a super hard, super tough wood, floor finish and concrete coating. We devised a entirely new production method so we could surpass polyurethane performance with out any free isocyanates. Sure, there are dozens of other chemicals in regular polyurethane that are highly toxic but the one that is almost never talked about are isocyanates. The Secret Toxin in Polyurethane.

The new Action Plan set forth by the EPA seems to be primarily concerned about spray foam insulation type applications but also includes sealants, glues and other DIY applications of products containing uncured isocyanates. Spray foam is by far the largest market segment of polyurethane which has been given a tremendous boost by all of the Architects and Builders specifying foam insulation in their so called “Green Buildings”.  Of course, they have been enticed by industry sponsored studies and massive marketing campaigns as well as the fact that the ultra rich industry makes the product ultra easy to obtain. Compare this to the far safer, far greener inorganic insulation industry such as lime based insulation and you’ll see why the earth is poisoned for profit, even by those with good intentions. It’s hard to hold the line.

According to the EPA Action Plan, “Readily available consumer products, such as adhesives (including glues) and sealants also contain diisocyanates that are not completely reacted when applied and can provide potential exposures (Krone, 2004; Bello et al., 2007).” EPA MDI ACTION PLAN

Deck Stain, Floor Finish and Cabinet coatings are notoriously toxic coatings that employ isocyanates. The EPA makes a non foam definition here, “ The terms “coatings”, “sealants”, “binders”, and “adhesives”  sometimes used interchangeably when referring to various polyurethane products and some industry sectors use some or all of those four types of products. In particular, the auto refinishing and repair, the marine leisure craft maintenance and repair (ACC, 2009), and the floor and deck maintenance and repair (Jarand et al., 2002; ACC, 2009) sectors have all had a variety of uncured polyurethane products available to both the professional applicator as well as the DIY consumer.”

2K urethanes and other professional wood finishing coatings should be reviewed extensively as well since these items actually may contain raw isocyanate to be mixed on site.

Will Corporate Interests Control the Flow of Information About Isocyanates?

The EPA details an action plan to scientifically analyze health effects of isocyanates on the consumer population. EPA will review industry data and industry will have an opportunity to influence the outcome of the study. Let’s just pray that they find it in their hearts to be fair. It’s always a red flag when the EPA solely uses industry data for it’s conclusions such as in this excerpt from the MDI Action Plan, “ Experimental ecotoxicological data for MDI and its degradation products indicate moderate to low toxicity to aquatic organisms (Bayer, 1992; Bayer, 2000a; Bayer, 2000b; Bayer, 2000c; Bayer, 2009).” It’s all Bayer. Bayer is the biggest, most invested polyurethane producer and raw material manufacturer on earth. Clearly there is a conflict of interest here. We obviously need  a way to pay for these studies in a way that doesn’t kill business or the planet.

Here is the link to the TDI Action Plan

I hope Architects, Builders and Homeowners specifying Spray Foam Insulation will think twice. Why fill the walls with poison?  The temporary benefits of a tight building envelope are not worth it. Inorganic chemistry lasts longer and is efficient enough to do the job. Add to that the the fireproof, insect, mold and landfill qualities of inorganic insulation and the choice should be even clearer. Spray foam insulation is such a waste on the job site. Truck loads of the stuff are cut off and carted to the dump BEFORE the job is even done. It’s just a toxic, wasteful mess. Sure it does an absolutely amazing  job of insulating but you can’t call it “green” if it’s  poisoning the earth for profit. The envirosocial costs do not outweigh the benefits. It’s just easy and cheap, like all good poisons.

Pursuing performance, coating their floors, cabinets, concrete and wood work Americans need to look to less harmful substances.

Interesting site with basic information about Non Toxic Paint as well as other interior surfaces for the home and business. Heather Curless offers excellent information on LEED.

The link goes to an article about five paint companies. I get tired of the marketing b.s. so I suggested they show their ingredients, full disclosure and then explain why they feel those things are safe to have in their paint. It went nowhere.

Earthpaints ingredients are listed on the labels and tds sheeets. Non Toxic Paint 101 explains why we use our ingredients and why we feel they are healthy and sustainable. Paints, patents and chemistry is complex so anything that is not clear we are open to explaining to our customers. Consumers are kept in the dark and buy things with marketing flare. This isn’t working out so well. 2% of the worlds population controls the vast majority of the worlds money turning the middle class in to a cheap overworked labor force. Work harder for less. Forget Obama, When consumers see through marketing shrouds and demand transparency real change will happen.

University of Illinois selected Earthpaint finishes for their SOLAR DECATHLON House. Even though there were hundreds of wealthy companies willing to dish out the big bucks for a sponsorship at the prestigious event held in D.C. This fine University held to their beliefs and Bought, yep, you heard me, they actually shelled out the cash for our paint. Pretty cool huh? As many are aware, Earthpaint is a locally based, Small Business. We aren’t able to give paint away for free. So, any high profile buildings with Earthpaint on them all have paid for the materials. This also shows that they really believe in the cause.

We would have to strap two of these houses together to fit the kids and Newton inside.

The Gable House was displayed with 20 other highly advanced WORLD CHANGING homes. Yes!

Gable House footings being installed on the Mall.

Puppy Newton, is now about the same size as one Gable House.

They engineered, built, broke down, transported and Rebuilt these homes in D.C. on the Washington Mall. Stephen Chu and many other politicians were exposed to the REAL DEAL.

This is a great video of the process. You’ll even see some Earthpaint getting rolled on! Green Building is really a great community event, as it should be.

I wonder how many of our dedicated Senators would move into one of these WORLD CHANGERS? Actually, I wonder if ANY of our Senators would?

I’ve pulled up to some very extravagant eco mansions. Amazing homes. I’m grateful they use Earthpaint. But they are very different than pulling up to this one little neighborhood house. They are stunning homes but there is something missing. Eco mansions are better than ego mansions but they aren’t going to change the world. As soon as you pull up to Nauhaus you get the sense that it will. I get a sense that of “Wow” this thing is for real. The vibe, the volunteers, the whole scene feels real. But before I go on a tirade about changing the world let’s look at the walls.

Thick, earthy, breathable, beautiful walls.

First, a thick, super insulative Hemp Crete coat is applied.  Then a super sustainable, Site Based Earth Plaster base coat is troweled over the Hemp Crete. (This beautiful earthplaster can be sealed with Rainforest Sealer or Stone Coat as a final coat.)  Last and optionally, Clarke shows the local white clay final coat being applied over a rounded corner. This type of sustainable building is not only beautiful but has the potential to save the earth. Literally, this building, produced in mass can change the world! It is designed to be replicated. Previously, unavailable materials are being made available in mass under the condition that they save energy.

Clarke Snell applying Clay Plaster over site based Earthplaster walls.

Buildings currently waste far too much energy, especially residential and small businesses.  Clarke, Tim, Jeff and an army of volunteer’s labor tirelessly at the Nauhaus Institute to stop new buildings from wasting energy.  They wholeheartedly believe in this cause; that green building is one area where we can actually make a big difference. A big difference for Global Warming on the earth and everyone on it. Visit http://www.thenauhaus.com/ to learn the science behind the Nauhaus.

The Nauhaus is a green building system, a method similar to Passive Home, developed for USA built green homes. Nauhaus is a ZERO CARBON, Sustainable and Non Toxic building for family or business.   If you REALLY want to make a difference and you are building a new home Nauhaus Institute is a very good place to start. If you are a Green Builder interested in the Passive Home design then Nauhaus will be very exciting, since it makes the Passive Home design fully achievable in the USA!

Green Building Is Corrupted by “Profit At All Costs” Business Structure.

If it’s really about making a difference then, too much green building right now is BS, to be blunt. New labels are invented for the same old products to sell to confused consumers.  Nauhaus isn’t the same old corporate structure. It’s a volunteer team working for a cause at a nonprofit. That is worlds different than the “Make a profit at all costs.” Business structure the world is being devoured by currently.  This same old corporate structure has too much influence over green building and it corrupts the mission for profit and convenience. Unfortunately, that mission is about saving a beautiful green planet and improving life on earth for all future generations.

Those of us in green building right now have to settle for whatever “Green” tools and materials that are available, well, actually we settle for what is affordable and available. But all of us wish for more. Every authentic green builder knows in their heart more must be done to make a REAL difference, to the planet, to the health of the poisoned American public. So many true green builders are working vehemently but the public consciousness and investment system isn’t meeting them at the task.

Home buyers are under educated and most Investment bankers don’t place a high enough priority on Green Building (some bankers are starting to get it). Do they really not get how important it is?  Oceans are poisoned. Cancer is rampant. Oil is running out and the Earth is heating up. We need simple sustainable technology, yesterday! This doesn’t necessarily mean it is profitable. It may mean that the dirt in the backyard makes a better wall, cheaper.  But what investment banker wants to hear that?

“Dirt? Are you kidding me Greenie! [Ha, ha ha ha…fat, arrogant, condescending, white republican laughter, I’m imagining Rush Limbaugh here] How are we supposed to self righteously stuff our faces with more than our share of the earth’s resources when people are using dirt to build their walls? Where’s the profit?”

Wake up America!  Investment capital rules!  Investment Capital dominates corporate construction and corporate construction rules green home marketing dollars. And we sheep love nothing more than a good marketing campaign, right? Wake up!  Don’t buy another crappy, half assed green built home. There are many excellent dedicated green builders (Anchorage Building Corp.)  Nauhaus is not the only answer but it’s a good start and the technology and science they offer is solid. Support this type of system in mass and the tools we need to save the earth will be ours!

Corporate Business Structure and Green Building Don’t Mix.

After going to corporate schmooze parties AKA Green Building Conferences for 6 years, I can’t take another one. If you haven’t been to one, it’s worth a laugh. Once. The primary thing that I see at most Green Building Conferences is money posturing. The wealthy corporations heartlessly buy every market available. They stand up at the podium and slap themselves on the back for doing shit! “We saved twenty million trees by using email instead of paper!” Please. Then why are you spraying green poison all over your lumber and selling it as green building lumber? [Side note: Don’t buy biocide treated wood.]

I want to hear them stand up and say, “Our shareholders voted to put the earth and welfare of the people above profit!”  These CEO’s  are not going to let go of a single market category without a fight. They do a great job of talking a load of BS but its just greenwashing. I saw Al Gore talk about greenwashing in front of 22,000 greenies in Pheonix. How many of them were justifying a greenwashed product at that very moment? How many were wishing they could get the money to do it right?

I’m sure there are a lot of good conferences (Mountain Green at Warren Wilson College) and it’s not fair to stereo type corporate business structure but the system is a disaster.  Work more for less. Work until you’re exhausted; don’t question the egomaniac at the top. I say knock his ass down! If he’s justifying a 30 million dollar a year job by saying he earned it, I say HOW? Did you help anyone? Are you doing any good with your money? Or are you a selfish prickly pear giving your shareholders profit no matter how many oceans you have to destroy in the process?

I have not seen a single major construction company inventing a house like Nauhaus. I’m talking about a house that is literally capable of changing the world.  I see green builders working tirelessly to improve but I don’t see a major construction company, with the required resources to make it happen, doing it. Is it just the corporate profit structure? I mean, think about it. There are some really, really massive and wealthy national construction companies in the USA but does anybody know of a single one that is really sacrificing profit or convenience to make the world a better place? If you do please, let me know. Some colleges (Univ. Illinois, Gable House) have done a truly great job trying but ultimately it’s got to be an obsession, day and night, relentlessly pursued to completion.  As far as I can tell that is how the Nauhaus got here and is continuing to grow.

The greenest house in the usa gets its ceilings sheetrocked today!
Nauhaus is a super insulated scientific home of a simply sustainable future!

He emailed me some pics and that Redwood really gets rich looking with the Rainforest Sealer on it! WOW.  Here are a couple pics. Check out his site. www.Redwoodbridges.com

Rainforest Sealer on a Rain Forest Bridge!

He’s using Large Pallets from shipping containers for the walls!

Barry Patterson & Associates
An Innovative Sustainability + Revitalization Consulting Network
www.barrypatterson.com

Answer:Yes. Rainforest is excellent on this type of surface and it does harden and seal the Pressure Treated. However, it is a penetrating stain, so while it does encase the wood fiber very well, there will not be a film barrier created between the pressure treated and the grapes.

For a solid food grade barrier between pressure treated wood toxins and fresh growth grapes there are two great options.

Aqualine Solid: Apply one or two coats of Aqualine Solid Stain in your favorite color. Aqualine is non toxic and will do well in the sun. It quickly creates a safe film between the pressure treated wood and the grapes.

Rainforest and Mountain XT: Rainforest Sealer then Mountain XT. Select your favorite stain color for Rainforest and apply a coat of Mountain XT Clear over the Rainforest. Both these products are all natural.

I hope this helps!

Happy planting.

Tom