Another benefit of soy: Adhesion
While you don’t usually think about formaldehyde and soy in the same sentence, luckily a scientist did just that and has come up with a novel, and safer, way to build.
S
ince resins used to make building materials such as plywood and other “engineered woods” can emit formaldehyde gas from the adhesives used to bond them, it’s known that they can be hazardous to one’s health. Builders come in contact with the emissions more than the rest of us, but these gases also can be present in new homes for a while after they are built. Formaldehyde can cause irritation to the eyes, skin, throat, and airways. Long-term exposure may lead to cancer.
But now, thanks to Professor Kaichang Li of Oregon State University, in comes soy. Professor Li formulated the protein in soy to act as an adhesive, and in the process created a nontoxic alternative -- and one that is renewable. Starting in the 1920s, soy came into use as an adhesive, but since it’s water-soluble and not stable it was not a long-term solution. Petroleum and natural gas (sources for formaldehyde adhesives) came to the rescue. Professor Li's soy adhesive bonds tight during curing and can be boiled for hours without degrading. But soy may need to watch out: Manufacturers are working on corn, wheat, and casein adhesives.
So while Okinawans and others have known of the benefits of soy for one's nutritional health, here's another way to benefit from the goodness of soy.
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