Please help my Mother-In-Law with a simple Intro to MDF products :)

Great question! Medium-density fibreboard (MDF) is an engineered wood product made by breaking down hardwood or softwood residuals into wood fibers, combining it with wax and a resin binder, and forming panels by applying high temperature and pressure. It is stronger and more dense than particleboard, but can be used in similar building applications. No matter what type of wood (or wood products) you use in your building projects, they come in an FSC certified version. When you choose FSC-certified wood products for use in your building project, you have a positive impact on the world's forests. FSC is the only certification that protects rare, threatened and endangered species, high conservation value forests, old growth, the rights of indigenous communities and so much more. You can seek bids on FSC-certified materials through FSC's product inquiry form: https://us.fsc.org/product-inquiry-form.231.htm

I would be happy to speak on the benefits of using an FSC certified wood product. VOC's are "Volatile Organic Compounds," that can include variations of formaldehyde, which has been thought to have detrimental effects to the human body when exposed for periods of time. Many manufacturers are now producing their panel products with no-added urea formaldehyde, commonly seen as "NAUF" on paperwork. The resins and adhesives in panel products are where this change has taken place. To my knowledge, wood products will always have formaldehyde in them, as it is a natural organic compound... In terms of green building, as my friend Amelia stated below, any time you choose to purchase an FSC certified product, you, as a consumer, are helping to drive market changes that are much needed by our planet! As your mother in law goes through this process, she should have her builder contact whomever the supplier may be, to give submittal information on products, and in terms of application - what products fit where. Thanks for your interest and I'm always available to be contacted!

MDF is being used in furniture, cabinets and trim. It is an inexpensive alternative to real wood. It does have glues and other chemicals that will off gas, as would the rugs and carpets. The builder will be using OSB(Oriented Strand Board) for sheathing instead of plywood. Any VOCs would have off-gassed by the time it got to your product and was installed. I would be more concerned with the VOC and stuff off-gassing from the carpets,furniture, cabinets, trim and anything else that would be using MDF and similar board products. I hope this helps.