Drywall questions — I’m chemically sensitive
user-831496
| Posted in Green Products and Materials on
I am building a home and we are getting information on drywall. I am chemically sensitive and am very concerned that the product be as non-toxic as possible. We would like to use 5/8″ sheet rock but I am being told that all 5/8 is treated with a fire retardant material. Is that true? One company told me that 5/8 is inherently flame retardant while two others say there are additives to accomplish this. I am also wondering about the fly ash products from a health standpoint. After this the joint compounds are my next concern. Any information would be appreciated.
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Replies
Arlene,
Fly ash is not used to make gypsum wallboard. For more information, see http://www.buildinggreen.com/auth/article.cfm/2010/7/30/Synthetic-Gypsum/ .
Arlene,
The extra ingredient in 5/8" type X drywall is glass fiber, which helps hold the gypsum together in a fire. Type C drywall adds vermiculite, which makes the panel dimensionally stable as moisture boils out during a fire. I'd guess that neither of these materials would be much concern for chemical sensitivity.