Improve Your Well-Being with Bamboo!
Discover a few ways sustainable bamboo products help us to live healthier, happier and more comfortable lives.

END OF SUMMER
BAMBOO FENCING SALE!!
10% OFF all Fencing
with Coupon Code: EOS9
Sale ends Sept. 22nd 2009

Cut Down on Urea Formaldehyde in Your Home

Formaldehyde can occur naturally or be industrially created. Most modern homes contain at least trace amounts of the chemical — usually in cloth and wood adhesives. In higher concentrations (anything above 0.1 parts per million) formaldehyde can cause negative health effects such as difficulty breathing, throat irritation, and possibly cancer. Homes with recently installed pressed wood products tend to contain higher amounts of the chemical – typically 0.3 ppm. However, going green and cutting down on health risks is easier than you think! When selecting new plywood and other pressed wood products, opt for those which are made without urea formaldehyde such as Cali Bamboo plywoods or decking. Using dehumidifiers and creating good ventilation will also help get urea formaldehyde out of the house. Learn more at the Environmental Protection Agency’s site.

The Smart and Green Fabric

Bamboo fabric is made by weaving the silky threads of fiber that come from pulping the plant’s stalks. Unlike synthetic fibers which contain petroleum additives, bamboo cloth is 100% biodegradable and can be discarded without harming the environment. Because bamboo fabric is so easy to dye it requires no harsh chemicals and much less water than more common dyeing methods. Porous bamboo fibers make the fabric extra breathable and four times more absorbent than cotton. They also contain a natural anti-microbial agent called “kun,” which prevents bacteria from forming, making bamboo clothing ideal for light, odor-free sportswear.

A Healthy New Supplement

New studies have shown there may be health benefits in consuming the extract from Moso bamboo leaves. (Moso bamboo is the variety which yields very strong, thick poles, used in many Cali Bamboo construction projects.) After receiving a grant from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, researchers at the University of Hawaii Medical School ran tests on the extract and found it to contain substantial anti-oxidants, proteins, micro-nutrients, trace minerals, amino acids, carotenoids and soluble and insoluble fiber. The Hawaii scientists published a paper asserting the Moso leaves may inhibit breast cancer and relieve lipotoxicity – which can lead to diabetes. Other studies have shown the leaf extract to increase energy, aid in the prevention of heart disease, boost the immune system, and cleanse the colon.

Beyond the Bamboo

Cali Bamboo and the Deep Blue Sea
Our dedication to the environment goes far beyond the sustainable bamboo products we provide. Cali Bamboo will be channeling its surfing roots and longtime ties to the Surfrider Foundation next month by co-sponsoring the 18th Annual Paddle for Clean Water Festival in San Diego. At 10am an expected 2,500 participants (including all Cali Bamboo employees!) will be circling the Ocean Beach pier on surf boards, body boards, kayaks, and even outrigger canoes in order to raise awareness for coastal pollution problems. The event takes place on September 13th and will also include eco-vendors, local artists, free surf lessons, live, solar-powered music, and a Stone Brew beer garden for the 21 and over crowd. Hope to catch you there!

Project of the Month

Congratulations to August’s Project of the Month Winners!

1st Place Central Michigan University

2nd Place Pat Verlotti

3rd Place Jared Wright

Your Friends,