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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).

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