Rockwool offgassing, 'Green' Products, etc.

[gibong]

Hi All,

(Long time lurker, I think this may be my first post. I have built a number of acoustic projects based on the ideas in the Forums.)

Apologies if I posted this in the wrong forum.

A Preamble:

I'm helping a friend build his new studio using 'green' techniques and materials. His child is very sensitive to household chemical vapours. I think I have a handle on the design and material choices...however...The one thing I have not been able to find is a suitable replacement for dense fiber absorption (i.e. a replacement for e.g. fiberglass, rockwool)

I read this document:
http://www.hhinst.com/Artfiberglass.html

Which indicated that typical fiberglass batts are impregnated with Urea resin that offgasses. (OC's MSDSverfies this fact.) I'm thinking that Roxul probably uses a similar resin - am I wrong in this assuption?

I've looked around for 'green' materials:
http://www.nuwool.com/products/technica ... 20MSDS.pdf
http://www.bondedlogic.com/UltraTouchMSDS.pdf
(Aside from the concerns about inhaling loose fibers, I see that these products use Borates for fireproofing. I believe that borate salts are non-volatile, inert and should pose no harm if properly installed. Toxicity Reports indicate some risks to reproductive organs, etc, however small. In any case, some risks you just have to take.)

I have read that John re-design Olivia Newton John's studio using Wool insulation. John, if you are reading this, your feedback is greatly appreciated!

Final Questions:
- Does anyone know where I can find MSDS for Roxul?
- Can anyone recommend 'green' absorption products that are readily available in my area (Vancouver, BC)
- Can anyone confirm Roxul's chemical volatility or use of fromaldehyde offgassing Urea resins??

Thanks!
-Fernando

PS. This forum is fantastic! You guys are extremely generous with your time and expertise. I have learn a lot throughout the years I've been lurking.

[BenLoftis]

Hi Fernando.

You should consider the ESR Roundffusor (www.zainea.com) for this purpose. It provides high-frequency diffusion and low-frequency absorption. It is made of plastic and so has no fibers or offgassing to worry about. And it sounds great without any other treatment in the room ....

I don't think there's a Canadian distributor yet, but I can ship to you from the US.

-Ben Loftis
ben@studiooutfitters.com
http://www.studiooutfitters.com

[lomky]

I hope this helps:

http://www1.roxul.com/graphics/RX-NA/Ca ... -13-05.pdf

Looks like 1-6% Cured Urea Extended Phenolic
Formaldehyde Binder

[dversion]

check out...

http://www.acousticalsurfaces.com/

cotton based materials

[gibong]

Thanks for all the responses. I'm definitely leaning towards cotton. I'm looking for local sources now.

@lomky: Thanks for finding the MSDS and confirming the use of Urea...I honestly searched on the Roxul site and I couldn't find it.

I hadn't read this before: http://www.johnlsayers.com/phpBB2/viewt ... ght=cotton

It sounds like offgas allergies to me.

[jwl]

Hi gibong,

The ultratouch cotton is fabulous. I just got some online, but after I ordered it I found a local supplier right in my town that has it for half of what I paid online to get it shipped to my house.

The 5.5" R19 cotton works very well, it specs out pretty flat and is a very good absorber. So far I've built broadband corner absorbers and gobos with this stuff. I'll be building more soon.

I got the 24" wide batts, but it also comes in 16" widths, which I think are ideal to put in a basement studio's ceiling joists, covered with fabric.

The cotton is pretty flimsy, it's nowhere near as rigid as rigid fiberglass or even rockwool. Anything you make for it has to be reasonably reinforced.

My broadband absorbers are simply 1x3 frames, braced twice, 2' wide and 7.5' tall, wrapped in muslin. The fabric is enough to hold it in place, if you stretch the fabric tight.

The gobos were a bit more intensive, as I had to build braces out of the 1x3 to hold the cotton in place. But these are really good gobos, I hope to get photos of them up soon.

[tmix]

jwl,
I have been thinking of using the same product so I am interested in your pics!
Let me know when you post.

Tom

[gibong]

That's good news jwl! I still haven't found a Canadian distributor...but I've made a few insulation distributors aware of this stuff now...hopefully they'll be able source it.