[Cob] oiling cob

[paul]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Shody Ryon" <qi4u at yahoo.com>
To: <coblist at deatech.com>
Sent: Monday, February 05, 2007 1:07 AM
Subject: Re: [Cob] oiling cob


> A few months
> later, in the rainy season, black hairy fungus grew
> several inches high on the floor and everyone that
> lived there got sick at the same time and they had to
> move out and redue the floor!

Shody, check out this quote from a construction guy:

"Linseed oil is mildew food... many vegetable oils are food products for 
humans... all vegetable oils are food products for mildew.  Linseed oil is 
not completely denatured, so it can encourage rather than discourage mildew 
growth."

And here is a quote from the label of a linseed product:

"Use of this product will expose you to arsenic, beryllium, chromium, 
cadmium and nickel, which are known to cause cancer; and lead which is known 
to cause birth defects and other reproductive harm."

So it's mildew food and it's loaded with carcinogens, in addition to being 
rancid.  The carcinogens help the oil dry.  That's also why we add 
turpentine, I guess.  Wow, what a stew of chemicals and all to get something 
to dry that doesn't want to dry, that we keep reapplying over time.

Compared to fired tiles or rugs (like Cat recommended) this seems like a 
dangerous product for indoor use.

Is there a physical *need* for a floor sealant over cob, or are we really 
talking about aesthetics?


paul