Question from Allison
I’m having Marmoleum installed in a bathroom. I’m concerned about
possible long-term health dangers from the Forbo adhesive which contains the antimicrobial agent MicroSept. Another reader had asked you about it, and you advised her to ask the company if the Marmoleum will block the adhesive completely once installed.
This is Forbo’s response when I asked them that question:
“Once the adhesive is dry, there is nothing that should off-gas from it.”
The formula of MicroSept is proprietary, but if I send them a list of ingredients I’m worried about, they can ask their supplier if it contains them. Are there any ingredients I should ask them about? Or would their response to me about off-gassing be sufficiently reassuring?
Thanks so much, Debra.
Debra’s Answer
Here is the MSDS for MicroSept.
The hazardous ingredient is gluteraldehyde, but as they said, it should offgas during the curing process and stop outgassing once it is dry.
The MSDS for Forbo C-930 Conductive Adhesive says there are no hazardous ingredients that require reporting. I don’t know which specific adhesive you are using, but you could look up the MSDS and see what it says.
Forbo is a reputable company that has been making natural products for a long time. I know of many people who have installed it and have been happy with it.
I’m not concerned about this.
Funny, I am very sensitive to marmoleum. I can smell it 50 feet away and can’t have it in the house. It is green, but it has linseed oil, which I presume is the problem.
There is nothing toxic about Marmoleum, but some individuals are sensitive to the natural odors of the ingredients.
I have MCS, asthma and reactive airway disease. I did fine with the Marmoleum adhesive. I don’t remember it smelling much while wet and once the marmoleum was on top I didn’t smell anything at all and I have a highly sensitive nose (i.e. like a pregnant woman) when I have reactions to chemicals.