Cob Farmer's Bulletin #1500 on Weatherproofing Earth

Wed Mar 3 07:02:26 CST 1999

It's understandable that some readers on the various lists are perhaps
new and have not followed threads of previous discussions for the past
few years and it's easier to attack the messenger rather than listen to
the message, such as when,

kimelia wrote:
Old does not always mean better! Note the date on this bulletin. Some of
these ingredients are bad for the environment, poisonous and
carcinogens. Not really what you'd want in an  "envorinmentally
friendly" structure.

The message header contained, "We could use some input from our resident
lime expert, Harry,  on their uses and perhaps modifications if it is
necessary--good luck  and if anyone uses the materials noted, let us
know how they worked out. "

Let's examine the compounds used collectively in all of  the recipes and
see what is "unsustainable" or "unhealthy" and what a more "open minded"
person could conclude from a thorough review by reasoning  in a
sustainable way.  Sometimes taking a step back can lead us to a better
path in the future.

casesin (lactic)-is produced by acidifying good quality skimmed milk
which causes the casein to precipitate
trisodium phosphate--notes indicate borax substiute. Purpose  is a water
soluble glass of Sodium Phosphate which is also known as Graham's Salt.
Sodium Hexameta Phosphate has a property of "SEQUESTRATION" due to which
it forms soluble complex ions with salts of Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc,
Iron, etc., thus preventing deposition of their insoluble salts (very
desirable in a weatherproofing application)
hydrated lime-see previous discussions
quick lime-see previous discussions
formaldehyde-*see soybean substitute by the GB list-this material does
have adverse affects on humans
table salt-sodium, natural mineral; unknown if harmful
rock salt-sodium, natural mineral; unknown if harmful
zinc sulfate-naturally occuring, used as food additive, mineral
supplement; used in galvanizing metal
ground rice-common food, unknown if harmful
portland cement-see previous discussion
Spanish whiting-ordinary food fish found in the Atlantic Ocean (fresh
not recommended immediate application; use in powdered form for
whitewash)
white glue-made from animal bones or fish (scotch glue); traditional
glue of furniture makers
molasses-common food, unknown if harmful
alum-used in food canning as a crisping agent; pickles for example
flour paste-common food, unknown if harmful

Whitewash Option
Whitewash is made of one-half bushel of unslaked lime with boiling
water, a peck of salt, one-half pound of powdered Spanish whiting
(fish), three pounds of ground rice put in boiling water, and a pound of
glue. Used on Altlantic sea coast light houses. (Must have
worked--they're still in use.)

Substitue for formaldehyde
http://metalab.unc.edu/london/renewable-energy/mailarchives/greenbuilding2/msg00277.html

see full text
     To: greenbuilding at crest.org
     Subject: GBlist: PF resins
     From: Michelle Carstensen <michelle at mtn.org>
     Date: Fri, 09 May 1997 12:01:35 +0000
     Organization: ILSR
     Sender: owner-greenbuilding at crest.org

Paul Salas
SANCO Enterprises
Albuq. NM
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<font size=-1>It's understandable that some readers on the various lists
are perhaps new and have not followed threads of previous discussions for
the past few years and it's easier to attack the messenger rather than
listen to the message, such as when,</font>
<p><i><font size=-1>kimelia wrote:</font></i>
<br><i><font face=""><font color="#000000"><font size=-1>Old does not always
mean better! Note the date on this bulletin. Some of these ingredients
are bad for the environment, poisonous and carcinogens. Not really what
you'd want in an  "envorinmentally friendly" structure.</font></font></font></i>
<p><font size=-1>The message header contained,<b> "We could use some input
from our resident lime expert, Harry,  on their uses and perhaps modifications
if it is necessary--good luck  and if anyone uses the materials noted,
let us know how they worked out. "</b></font>
<p><font size=-1>Let's examine the compounds used collectively in all of 
the recipes and see what is "unsustainable" or "unhealthy" and what a more
"open minded" person could conclude from a thorough review by reasoning 
in a sustainable way.  Sometimes taking a step back can lead us to
a better path in the future.</font>
<dl><font size=-1><b>casesin (lactic)</b>-is produced by acidifying good
quality skimmed milk which causes the casein to precipitate</font>
<br><font size=-1><b>trisodium phosphate</b>--notes indicate borax substiute.
Purpose  is a water soluble glass of Sodium Phosphate which is also
known as Graham's Salt. Sodium Hexameta Phosphate has a property of "SEQUESTRATION"
due to which it forms soluble complex ions with salts of Calcium, Magnesium,
Zinc, Iron, etc., thus preventing deposition of their insoluble salts (very
desirable in a weatherproofing application)</font>
<br><font size=-1><b>hydrated lime-</b>see previous discussions</font>
<br><font size=-1><b>quick lime-</b>see previous discussions</font>
<br><font size=-1><b>formaldehyde-*</b>see soybean substitute by the GB
list-this material does have adverse affects on humans</font>
<br><font size=-1><b>table salt-</b>sodium, natural mineral; unknown if
harmful</font>
<br><font size=-1><b>rock salt-</b>sodium, natural mineral; unknown if
harmful</font>
<br><font size=-1><b>zinc sulfate</b>-naturally occuring, used as food
additive, mineral supplement; used in galvanizing metal</font>
<br><font size=-1><b>ground rice</b>-common food, unknown if harmful</font>
<br><font size=-1><b>portland cement</b>-see previous discussion</font>
<br><font size=-1><b>Spanish whiting</b>-ordinary food fish found in the
Atlantic Ocean (fresh not recommended immediate application; use in powdered
form for whitewash)</font>
<br><font size=-1><b>white glue</b>-made from animal bones or fish (scotch
glue); traditional glue of furniture makers</font>
<br><font size=-1><b>molasses</b>-common food, unknown if harmful</font>
<br><font size=-1><b>alum</b>-used in food canning as a crisping agent;
pickles for example</font>
<br><font size=-1><b>flour paste</b>-common food, unknown if harmful</font><font size=-1></font>
<p><b><font size=-1>Whitewash Option</font></b>
<br><font size=-1>Whitewash is made of one-half bushel of unslaked lime
with boiling water, a peck of salt, one-half pound of powdered Spanish
whiting (fish), three pounds of ground rice put in boiling water, and a
pound of glue. Used on Altlantic sea coast light houses. (Must have worked--they're
still in use.)</font></dl>
<b><font size=-1>Substitue for formaldehyde</font></b>
<br><font size=-1><A HREF="http://metalab.unc.edu/london/renewable-energy/mailarchives/greenbuilding2/msg00277.html">http://metalab.unc.edu/london/renewable-energy/mailarchives/greenbuilding2/msg00277.html</A></font>
<br><b><font size=-1>see full text</font></b>
<br><font size=-1>     To: greenbuilding at crest.org</font>
<br><font size=-1>     Subject: GBlist: PF resins</font>
<br><font size=-1>     From: Michelle Carstensen <michelle at mtn.org></font>
<br><font size=-1>     Date: Fri, 09 May 1997 12:01:35
+0000</font>
<br><font size=-1>     Organization: ILSR</font>
<br><font size=-1>     Sender: owner-greenbuilding at crest.org</font><font size=-1></font>
<p><font size=-1>Paul Salas</font>
<br><font size=-1>SANCO Enterprises</font>
<br><font size=-1>Albuq. NM</font>
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