Question from Miriam
I was wondering if you could help me with a desk.
I’m looking at this one, and there are 3 different options for materials.
I purchased the converter in rubberwood as I figured that was the safest, but it’s not big enough and now I am thinking of upgrading to the full desk. Before I spend so much, I figured I’d see if you had any thoughts on it!
If you scroll down to “Top It Off Any Way You Like”, it goes over the different materials.
I had emailed about the desktops, and got this response:
“The Eco desktops are made with recycled MDF whereas the bamboo and rubberwood are solid bamboo and rubberwood. The rubberwood is just another name for the trees that they harvest for making rubber and latex. We recycle those trees once they’re done being used for their sap and use them to make these desktops. “
Obviously, I shy away from MDF but it is GREENGUARD-certified. My understanding is that bamboo can be toxic from the glues they use, but here they claim it is solid bamboo.
What would you recommend?
Lisa’s Answer
This looks like a good choice. The top is hardwood and the base is metal. There are a couple of small plastic parts. You could ask them what the plastic material is and avoid if PVC or polystyrene. They say they use glues and finishes that are environmentally safe and non-hazardous. I would just confirm that they are low- or ultra-low voc formulas. Since it’s hardwood there should be minimal if any need for glues. You could even ask if they make you a top that is unfinished. I have a similar adjustable desk made of metal with a hardwood top and it’s great to be able to stand while you work!
Hi Lisa,
Ultimately uplift didn’t end up meeting my needs. I’ve found a similar desk maker (same manufacturer for a lot of the parts) that will work better for me. Unfortunately, they don’t have a rubberwood option. The options for tops are bamboo or laminate. Here is what they say regarding the bamboo:
Material harvested by hand preserving root structure
Mao and Moso species bamboo, sourced from sustainable forests
European E1-level glues; Japanese Zero Formaldehyde; German wear-resistant UV coating
Do you think this is a reasonable option? I don’t appear to be chemically sensitive, just trying to reduce my toxic load.
Thanks!
The European E1 standard is similar to the California Air Resources Board’s CARB Phase 2 adhesive standard. The Japanese standard for wood-based products has 4 levels with “zero” being the most stringent. This does not necessarily mean it has no formaldehyde, but rather that it falls below the standard.
It does not, however, tell you anything about the UV coating. Similarly, California’s CARB Phase 2 certification does not tell you anything about the emission from stains or sealers.
In general, this is comparable to buying a desk that is CARB Phase 2 compliant. The certifications tell you that the desk will emit some chemicals but at very low levels. I would keep it outside or in a garage for several days to allow any off-gassing from the coating to dissipate.
Lisa, thanks so much!
My understanding was that bamboo generally needs glues to hold it together; do you know if it’s possible to find a whole piece? If they say they don’t use VOCs, do you typically just take a vendor at their word?
Their response:
I do not know what the keypad and control box are made of. Those and the grommet covers are the only placsit pieces that are a main part of the desk (not optional)
The bamboo tops use Thai and Chinese bamboo reeds grown without fertilizers or pesticides. Our manufacturing process uses no harmful chemicals, VOC’s, or off-gassing and additionally we use only European E1-level adhesive and German wear-resistant UV coating.
The laminate tops are Greenguard certified. GREENGUARD certification means that these desktops have been tested for chemical emissions and meet the standards set by seven different regulating bodies.
I apologize, I misunderstood. I thought you were planning on the rubberwood. I would eliminate the laminate, as there are more sources of emissions and it will be hard to determine what they are. GREENGUARD certification tells you that the emissions are below its standards but there are still emissions. It also does not test for phthalates. So, if you are trying decide between the bamboo and rubberwood you need to understand the finish and the glue. An E-1 adhesive tells you that the product releases below 0.1 ppm (part per million) formaldehyde. It is a low level, but it is still formaldehyde. I assume the rubberwood would not use adhesive but you could confirm that. The last thing to understand is the finish. Can you ask them what finishes they use on both top options?
As for the plastic, it is very small and probably not of concern, though it depends on your tolerance and how non-toxic you want the item to be. I have different rules for our bedrooms, in which I try to eliminate all VOCs and potential toxins, but I might use it in an office with good ventilation and air filtration.