A:  I created a green building product rating system a couple years ago, DEGREE OF GREEN®, that is being used by manufacturers and retailers all across the US.  This has got to be the #1 question I get. There are a few points to consider when determining the Degree of Green of bamboo flooring: 

1. Human Health - most bamboo flooring materials contain added urea formaldehyde (AUF) in the adhesives that bind the product together... although some are free of AUF. Also, containers shipped from China are routinely sprayed with pesticides, which can cause severe reactions to those with chemical sensitivities. 

2. Environmental Heath - All bamboo comes from Southeast Asia, which means massive carbon emissions to transport to the US. No good study has been done on the environmental impact of the bamboo harvesting industry. 

3. Sustainability - Yes, bamboo grows fast. However, farmers in China are clear-cutting thousands of acres of trees to plant bamboo, since the US is so bamboo crazy. Not to mention, traditional bamboo flooring is not nearly as durable as we all thought it was when it came out 10 years ago, with the exception of the new strand woven product. Of course, one can argue that the strand products are basically a mixture of bamboo and plastics, which is not very green. 

4. Wild Cards - Do the Chinese companies pay a fair wage? Are they using child labor? What pesticides do they use? IMHO, if you like the look of bamboo flooring, then go for it.  But don't fool yourself into thinking its any more eco-friendly than good old fashioned domestic hardwood flooring.

For more information, visit www.thegreendesigncenter.com. If you have any questions or suggestions for a future column, send them to andy@gbproductnews.com.