HDPE - need interpretation help

[Linds]

Thanks Quervo, I'll be sure to check it out soon!

[Yve]

thanks Quervo!

[Sean_.E.]

ok im confused! I have used Melamine in a reptile enclosure! Does it only give off gasses when it is heated to a temperature over 200 deg F or all the time. Sorry,Im just really confused! Too many big words and stuff!lol

[Quervo]

Sean;

Most plastics are fairly stable at room temp, and get nasty when heated. All plastic will offgas when heated (the heat range varies though).

Wood products will offgas at room temp, but will offgas more when heated. Melamine offgasses more from the MDF that is used as a base so it will offgas all the time.

Now as I've said .. it won't kill your herp, but consider what it does to us in a large enclosure (our house) and look at the confined space of most cages. It must stress them out .. and that aint good.

[C.Marshell]

What about all the big breeders in the states that have used it for years!..IMO..An animal that reproduces on a consistant basis in captivity must be trhiving,and not merly surviving...you mention that it MUST stress them out!..well,a stressed out reptile will not olny not reproduce..but usually will not eat as well...plain and simple,if left long enough,stress kills herps!
Don't get me wrong...i'm not bashing you here,..just wondering if there is any documented proof that these gases directly effect the health of our animals?

c.marshell

[Quervo]

Well that's the whole point .. there's more and more proof that offgassing is killing us .. but no-one bothers to look at the animals (as usual). If offgassing does such (long term) damage to us, I don't see how it wouldn't to the reptiles.
In my opinion this explains a lot of the mysterious respiratory and skin problems I keep reading about in various forums.
I could be wrong .. but I'd rather err on the side of caution.

[Quervo]

Sorry .. more ranting to come ..

As to the breeders that have been using it .. we have been building houses, furniture, cabinets, etc, etc for years and are just now starting to look at what it is doing to us. It's just now that people are starting to question what effects the things we use are having, that the problems are being realized.

There .. I think I'm done.

[C.Marshell]

The thing is..there are all diferent types of melimine..the stuff that im using,is e grade,witch is used in what they call healthy homes..its cured so that it doesnt offgas,its a little more pricey,but worth it,in my opinion...they also use it in senior citizens complexes..and it is certified,not to offgass,i will see if i can get the specs from tony,at C.K.C.S,and post them.

c.m