Question from Diana
I just recently purchased a “non-toxic” caulk from a site listed on “Debra’s List.” However, after I read the back of the bottle it lists the following items: “Contains TALC, 2,2,4-TRIMETHYL-1, 3-pentanediol MONO-SOBUTYRATE, VINYL ACETATE AND ACETALDEHYDE. MAY ALSO CONTAIN CARBON BLACK OR TITANIUM DIOXIDE.” OK this concerns me because I don’t really know what any of the above exactly means. Is this safe enough to use? Meaning, will it be safe after it dries? Or should I send it back? I was unable to download the MSDS from their website.
Also, I saw another reader to this blog tried the DAP Painters Acrylic Latex Caulk. Did it work for you? Any help would be much appreciated. We are trying to start our child’s bedroom and we want it as safe as possible for him.
Diana
Debra’s Answer
To answer your specific question first, these are all hazardous substances. That’s why they are listed–as a warning. Is it safe enough to use? You may not find a safer one. Yes, it will be safe after it dries. You can also use heat to make it dry faster.
It’s important for us to find the least toxic caulks available, because caulk is widely used throughout homes to block out air and water and fill gaps between building materials.
Unfortunately, I have yet to find what I would consider a nontoxic caulk. There was one we liked made by DAP, but I can’t seem to find it any more.
A lot of things are changing in the world of caulk. Not so long ago there were only three basic ingredients used to make caulk: acrylic, latex, and silicone. Now there are also synthetic rubber caulks and modified silicone caulks…
But the one thing we are most interested in is toxicity. And with regard to that, caulks fall into two categories: water-based and solvent-based.
Water-based caulks are made from latex (which includes acrylic and vinyl, both of which are toxic). They clean up with water and have less odor, but they are still toxic (I’ve heard and read that they are “nontoxic,” but this simply isn’t so).
Hi, my husband got MCS after a home improvement. I too as someone mentioned used to be able to find a DAP caulk that had only about 3 chemicals in it and it seemed very low in hazard. What I have found is some green chemicals are indeed harmful to some people. It is all very subjective. My husband got MCS from a “green” glue. During its curing it off gassed methyl alcohol which made him severely ill. So now I have found this ingredient in several green products including biofuel and cleaning products. Now I avoid buying anything with even similar chemical names to methyl alcohol so methyls and Ethlls are out for us. My gut tells me what happened is when California banned all the bad stuff they seemed to have sent them to non regulated states like Texas. It makes me sick to see all the products listed as caulks at home improvement stores and all the toxic ingredients. They do have one that is “green” but you have to buy it online. Does not look too safe to me.
I was thinking of making my own caulk out of sand, a glue and maybe salt as a preservative. Or perhaps sand, flour and salt .
Green Building Supply (NFI, YMMV) still lists NovaLink (one of the newer polyethers) at their site. While not for everyone, it is long lasting and MAY be a good option for some people who cannot tolerate acetate, vinyl, and silicone, especially in situations where it is covered or outside. (Caution: I am told that it has a “very mild odour.” One person described it as vaguely minty, which ordinarily would not be compatible for me, but I found that I could be around it without ill effects after only a few days of outgassing outside.) Again, Your Mileage May Vary.
In our healthy house construction we used 100% aquairum silicone in some places, Chemlink in others, (they make an outdoor version, too – I think it’s called Novalink) and SmartCaulk (I think that’s the name) which is sold at lowe’s and felt ok to me.
I like Novalink and I have used it extensively. If it is a dry location I will let it cure a few days/week and then coat with shellac to seal in any remaining outgassing.
I have used the AFM caulk, but did not like it very much. I gave it to my painters to use. It did not go on easily and did not hold up as well as conventional caulks. For caulking joints around trim, I used GE Silicone II (waterproof, paintable) and liked it okay. I does sometimes have the Bioshield in it. So not nontoxic, as Debra says, but tolerable.
Hi Debra,
Hi Debra,
What about AFM Safecoat Caulking Compound? http://www.afmsafecoat.com/downloads/erzecp7130%20Caulking%20Compound%20msds.pdf
Ingredients are: Modified poly ether isomer mixture and Amino Silane
COMMENT FROM DEBRA:
All AFM products are formulated to be less toxic. I have no personal experience using their caulk. Readers. what is your experience?
The MSDS for Amino Silane indicates very low toxicity.
I had to contact AFM about “modified poly ether isomer.” They wrote back that it is not a specific chemical, but refers to the resin used as a primary component of the product. There are many poly ethers, the one used in their caulking compound is of very low toxicity.
I don’t see a problem with this product, but again, I have no experience with it. Would love to hear from anyone who has.
Aquarium caul is supposed to be free of toxins to avoid harming fish.
I have been using AFM Safecoat products since 2001. I love them! I am not only environmentally conscious, but I have extreme chemical sensitivities. So far, there hasn’t been a single product of theirs that I’ve used that has had adverse reactions. I’ve sealed floors, painted rooms and some other things and have found their products to be outstanding.
As for grout, I have used “C-Cure” and found this product to be exceptional also.
Hope this helps.
I’m also interested in caulk, but we’re going to need some between our new granite counter and the existing tile backsplash. Of course, this doesn’t have to withstand the rigors of moisture that a bathtub does. I’m looking into Red Devil Elastomeric Patching Compound which is water based and paintable. reddevil.com has a link to the MSDS sheet.