Breathe deeply and healthily with FERMACELL greenline

"Healthy living is very important to us, especially because of the children", emphasize the young couple who purchased a single-story house based on a modular wooden structure from the 1970s. The house was heavily burdened with formaldehyde, which only became apparent during the air quality check in the rooms. The use of FERMACELL greenline fiberboards resulted in a drastic reduction of harmful substance levels.

The couple was lucky in their misfortune, as they learned about the formaldehyde burden before purchasing the house. Before signing the purchase agreements for the modular house from 1970, they decided to have a professional measurement of harmful substances conducted. After the first analysis, the family members were shocked and primarily unsure of what to do. With a formaldehyde concentration of 253 µg/m³, the room's burden was significantly higher than the maximum value recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), which is 100 µg/m³. However, this is not surprising; in houses where particle boards were used in construction in the past, concentrations can still reach 300 µg/m³ even after 20 years. However, the qualified experts who conducted the measurements, with experience in the remediation of harmful substances, agreed on one point: The concentration of formaldehyde can be reduced to a health-safe minimum through professional remediation. Doubts among potential buyers, who briefly even considered tearing down the entire house, slowly dissipated. The new owners were clear: "Our primary goal was to eliminate harmful substances from the house to at least the extent recommended by WHO."

Healthy living thanks to FERMACELL greenline
In the end, the couple decided on the house they wanted, along with the recommended complete renovation. It was also crucial that the purchase price could be reduced by the costs of remediation. FERMACELL greenline boards, which purify the air in the rooms, were used for the remediation measures. To document the formaldehyde levels after the renovation was completed, air measurements in the rooms were conducted at regular intervals. Between the first and final measurement after complete remediation, formaldehyde levels dropped by 200 µg/m³. In the final measurement, a formaldehyde concentration of just 52 µg/m³ was demonstrated—meanwhile, formaldehyde in the outdoor environment exists in concentrations ranging from 10 to 100 µg/m³. This is a fifth of the original measured value, which is absolutely harmless. Based on laboratory tests, it can additionally be expected that the values will decrease further over time.

Solution thanks to sheep's wool
What is even more astonishing is that this drastic reduction is based solely on the natural effect of sheep's wool. Keratin, contained in sheep's wool, has the property of absorbing harmful substances as an insoluble element of its molecular structure and converting them into harmless substances. The surface of FERMACELL greenline building elements is treated in the manufacturing plant with a surface treatment based on an active keratin substance. Thus, greenline boards reduce and neutralize health-harming substances such as aldehydes and ketones, also known as VOCs (volatile organic compounds). These include formaldehyde and unpleasant odors. The effect of the board remains active for many years and works even beneath surface layers such as paints and wallpapers, especially if they are diffusion-open. The effect has been tested and certified based on extensive measurements, among other things by the independent institute eco-Institut in Cologne.

After modernizing the exterior wall, all wall and ceiling surfaces of the interior spaces of the house were lined with 10 mm FERMACELL greenline fiberboards. The healthy lining boards are processed like standard gypsum boards and are characterized by the highest stability, fire protection, sound and thermal insulation. After installation on the existing formaldehyde-containing particle boards, FERMACELL greenline reduces the air burden from harmful substances in the home of the young family. The result is visible, and the young couple is pleased with their new home: "We would do it the same way again. The entire remediation process went smoothly, and it was a fortunate solution for us thanks to the overall constellation of partners and the building materials used—just four months passed from the initial state of the house to our moving in. We feel absolutely comfortable—we have no doubts anymore about whether our living environment is healthy."