When fitting out your new retail store, or refurbishing your shop, you want to make sure you’re getting the best value shopfittings around. However, going for the very cheapest option can sometimes be a false economy – especially if it ends up damaging your health! …
Do you know the difference between Slatwall panels made from premium quality E1 MDF (like we supply at Crown Display), and the lower grade E2 slatwall – often imported from China – supplied by many other UK shopfitting companies?
Aside from a small price difference, the most significant distinction is a safety issue. Top quality E1 MDF is superior to the E2 both in terms of strength and durability as well as safety. This is due to a component of the glue that holds the fibres together in the MDF. The component in question is formaldehyde – more commonly recognised as an embalming fluid ingredient – great for keeping dead things dead, but not so great for contact with living beings – like humans.
From E1 MDF slat panels, the emissions of formaldehyde are minimal. However, from the E2 grade MDF, emissions are much higher, and, especially if the slatwall is being worked on, or damaged, the fine dust created by formaldehyde can cause serious health problems.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration states that: “Formaldehyde is classified as a human carcinogen. It has been linked to nasal and lung cancer, with possible links to cancer of the brain and leukaemia. Even short-term exposure to formaldehyde can be fatal. Long-term exposure to high or even low levels of formaldehyde may cause difficulty breathing, eczema, and sensitisation.” http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/formaldehyde/index.html
Many of the lower grade boards being imported into the UK come from China, where manufacturing laws are not as stringent as in the EU. Furthermore, E2 MDF from China is often imported unfinished, leaving staff in this country with the task of cutting and finishing the boards – further exposing them to harmful formaldehyde. Not only is this increasing potential for toxicity, but if the boards are not supplied ready to use, it’s also adding to the monetary and time cost of the process of fitting out your shop – thereby further reducing the small cost ‘benefit’ of the cheaper panels!
So what’s the answer?
The answer is to ensure your shop fittings all come from a reputable supplier, who can guarantee high grade, safe MDF, and who is happy to discuss the issue with you. If you buy top quality slatwall, with a high pressure finish, such as melamine, the issues of formaldehyde are negligible, and you can enjoy assembling your retail display to look great, knowing you’re keeping your employees, customers, and yourself, safe from preventable toxins!
Crown Display offer ONLY Top grade E1 Slatwall panels, at very affordable prices – with an unbeatable price guarantee on all products – ensuring you do get the best value, safest shopfittings available. www.crowndisplay.co.uk
