As the paint recipes show, we wish to strengthen the health of our materials further. However, we are taking a precautionary approach in relation to Cradle to Cradle, the UN’s Global Compact and the UN’s SDGs. This means that every so often we decide to step back from taking a particular course of action.
Due to uncertainty about documentation, we have, for example, decided not to surface-treat our acoustic panels with titanium dioxide even though this could potentially contribute to photocatalysis and possibly removing NOx particles from the air. The EU suspects titanium dioxide of being carcinogenic when inhaled, and as material health is of paramount importance for Troldtekt, we do not want to risk treating our panels in a way that may be harmful to humans or the environment. Titanium dioxide is also found, for example, in wall paint, but here the substance is inactive, and bound in the dry paint, so it does not pose any health risk.
In addition to the uncertainty about possible health risks, photocatalysis requires a lot of light to activate the titanium dioxide. Daylight does not fall on ceilings, and the client would therefore have to make significant investments in lighting to activate the photocatalysis. Finally, it would seem that ventilation and conventional airing are much better for the indoor climate.