BluWood - A step in the right direction?

[Guest guest]

We are not going to change construction techniques overnight, but perhaps this

is a step in the right direction for future home construction. If only we could

eliminate the hollow walls and get a better idea what the chemicals mean in the

long term. Asbestos was safe, treated lumber was safe, Drywall was safe, I hate

to be so suspicious of what they are coming out with next, but at least in my

eyes it looks like someone is trying to do something to prevent or help knock

down this growing problem.

This is the text from the front page of BluWood, followed by my email to

them, and then their response to my email. Following that is an announcement

they are making about a TV show to build a house for a woman who's doctor says

mold may have been the cause of her husbands death.

BluWoods front page:

Build Smart. Build Strong.

With BluWood.

You have gone to great lengths to get every detail right in your new home.

You chose the right architect, the right builder, the right finishes and colors.

But have you chosen the right structural wood components? Are they protected

from the threat of fungus, rot and termites? If not, they should be, because

these very real threats, if ignored, can put your entire investment at risk.

Enter BluWood, the Color of Protection

The solution is BluWood, lumber treated with a unique, two-product technology

called Perfect Barrier System. BluWood components are protected against the

devastating consequences to wood of fungal and termite infestation. Before you

build, make sure to ask your builder to use BluWood for all framing lumber,

trusses and sheathing components.

You know the enemy. Now you know how to protect against it. Given the choice

wouldn't you choose to be protected?

End of page.. (My concern was the last portion of this, seemingly implying that

this would solve the problem, AKA now you know how to protect against it, but

people who don't know would use paperlined drywall over this wood and still have

the same problem)

My concern was a false belief that changing the wood only would eliminate mold

problems, so I wrote them an email:

Hello,

My family is one of the many who have suffered rather severe mold exposure

due to the contruction materials a house was built out of. We aren't suing

anyone, the industry did not build this way with malice or intent, but you have

on your front page an advertisement telling people that they've thought

everything out, and now to protect their investment they should use this fungal

resistant wood.

This is wonderful, but it is lacking one very serious piece of advice. If

they put standard paper lined drywall up for their interior walls, they still

have a nursery culture to breed and grow toxic molds such as Stachybotris and

others. There is a company out there that is also selling drywall that has an

alternate lining instead of paper. The two of you could really maximize your

own growth by supporting one another in building materials to insure a safer

home.

After all, if someone builds a home with your wood and paper lined drywall,

and 5 years from now they suffer water intrusion due to damage caused by a hail

storm, and their walls are suddenly lined with toxic molds, what does that say

for you? Your materials may still be mold free but you haven't really helped

anyone.

Fixing only part of the problem is like giving false hopes.

******Their response:

Mr. & Mrs. Dunkin:

Thank you for your e-mail; BLUWOOD is an important step in addressing the

effects and destruction that can be caused from mold fungus growth, rot fungi

decay, moisture and wood ingesting insects. Even though our product works

equally well on gypsum board, we have chosen to concentrate our efforts and

resources on protection of the structural wood components. Besides only being

able to tackle one primary area at a time we felt it was more important to first

address this area because it is far less costly to replace ones gypsum board

than the structural wood components and also there is the paperless drywall one

can utilize to address the drywall area. We think it is important to do both and

the next time we reprint our literature we will note that area as well.

Again, thank you for taking the time to bring this to our attention.

Best Regards,

A. Morando, President/CEO

WoodSmart Solutions, Inc.

I was please to see that he acknowledged my concerns on this issue and gave

indication that they would make this addition to their future informational

packets.

Their advertisement:

Watch BluWood make a sensational international debut on the Oct. 1 episode of

ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition as it frames a new home for ann Gilliam

in Michigan. ann's husband tragically passed away last year leaving her to

raise six children. Her family's doctor theorizes mold and toxins found in the

home may been responsible for his death.

Tune in to see how this revolutionary - and eye-catching - blue-colored lumber

provides this deserving family the peace of mind and security of knowing that

their home's wood components are protected long after the construction is

complete. BluWood: The color of protection.

Dan & Carmella