Possible Answers from GE???

[froggsong]

After discovering the discrepancies on the GE websites regarding GE I silicones, I sent this email to GE (I thought it would be easier to format this as a quote, so that the emails are separated for easier reading):

Originally Posted by froggsong's email to GE

I was recently directed to a page on your GE I silicone, and it says that the Window and Door 100% Silicone Rubber Sealant has the Bioseal mold inhibitor. When I checked on the Kitchen and Bath (the same GE I type), it does not say that it has the mold inhibitor. I have used the Type I Window and door in the past because it didn't have the bioseal, I checked the labels very carefully. I remember that the Kitchen and Bath of the type I did have the mold inhibitor. It appears to me that the information on these pages may be incorrect. I can't see a clear enough picture of the tubes to tell which one lists the mold inhibitor. If this information is incorrect, I really think someone should fix it. This is important information for consumers, and the information they recieve from the GE website should be correct.

Here is a link to the page for the GE I Window and Door that I believe to be incorrect:
GE Silicone I* Window and Door

Here is another link for the GE I Window and Door that is, to my knowledge, correct:
GE Sealants and Adhesives - Residential GE Silicone I* Window and Door

Here is a link to the page for the GE I Kitchen and Bath that I believe to be incorrect:
GE Silicone I* Kitchen and Bath

Here is another link for the GE I Kitchen and Bath that is, to my knowledge, correct:
GE Sealants and Adhesives - Residential GE Silicone I* Kitchen and Bath

If you could please tell me which of these pages is correct, I would really appreciate it. Also, if you could have someone correct whichever pages are wrong, that would be good. As is, the information on whichever pages are incorrect is both misleading and false advertising. It would be in everyone's best interest if it were corrected.

Thank you very much for you time,
Meghan

After which I recieved this answer:

Originally Posted by Sandy the GE Rep's email

Dear Meghan,

Wow, I certainly apologize for the confusion--I had no idea our Marketing Team had developed so many web pages with such a wide variety of information. Based on the information that our product manager has trained me--Silicone I Kitchen and Bath is the only silicone I product that contains a mold and mildew protectant.

You are correct regarding which web pages contained factual information.

I brought your observations to my supervisor's attention and she is contacting the marketing team.

THANK YOU for your help!

Most sincere best wished,
Sandy Sibray
Consumer Specialist
Momentive Performance Materials

I then sent this email and am awaiting a response. Please, everyone, cross your fingers that we gets some answers this time! I hope I didn't leave anything out in this email.

Originally Posted by froggsong's response to GE

I am happy to be of assistance, and happy that you could clear that up for me.

I have some other questions, if you can answer them.

Is it possible for you to send me a list of all of the silicones that do not contain the mold inhibitor? Or is the Type I Window and Door the only one? You see, I belong to a community of people that build vivariums, sort of like aquariums, but for land dwelling animals and plants (sometimes we build them to include fish as well). There has been a debate raging for a long time as to whether the GE II silicones are safe to use in our vivariums, whether they will poison the water table, and if contact with the silicone could be harmful to our animals (esp frogs). Also, whether it is safe to use in the dry portion of the tank in the event that it does pose danger to the water table. I realize that GE does not want to answer these questions due to liability issues, but as people are using the products anyway, it would be good to have a definitive answer. I am sure that there has been no testing to see if these products are safe for herps (reptiles and amphibians) or fish, but perhaps there have been tests as to the safety to humans (and perhaps domestic pets, such as cats or dogs) that we could refer to to gain insight into this issue. One way we could look at it is : Would it be safe to repair a drinking glass with GE II silicone (which has the mold inhibitor, of course), and then drink from it after it has fully cured, every day? Would it be safe to construct a reservoir for drinking water using GE II as the "glue"? Is the bioshield released into water if the silicone is submerged? Are there any GE silicone products that are safe for potable water tanks (I think this question is probably the easiest to answer)? Are there any silicone products rated for pond construction?

In case you need to know how we use the silicone, we use it to bond things together (like rocks to make a cave or waterfall), to stick substrates (such as coco fiber or peat moss, sand, or pebbles) to a foam background, and things of that nature. I'm sure you will be advised to tell me that we should just use a silicone rated for aquariums, but the problem with that is that we need ALOT of silicone, and it simply is not cost effective to purchase that amount of aquarium silicone. Also, it is difficult to find aquarium silicone in black, or even better, brown (if the substrate begins to erode from the background, black or brown do not show through like white or clear silicone would), and generally if you CAN find black, it is even more expensive. People are going to use it regardless, but it would be so awesome if you could help me with this, because then we could use it without fear for our animals. I did notice that there is a commercial silicone product that GE produces that says in can be used for "showcase assemblies". Here is link to the product I am referring to: GE Sealants and Adhesives - Commercial Tosseal*
And here is a link to the page that lists all of the products appropriate for "showcase assemblies":
GE Sealants and Adhesives Commercial Construction Showcase Assemblies
What kind of showcases is it referring to exactly? Would any of these products be appropriate for what we use them for?

Your help in this matter would be GREATLY appreciated, by ALOT of people. None of us want to hold GE liable for any losses due to use of the products, and as long as it doesn't list this use on the label, any info I relate to others would be hearsay, and GE couldn't be held liable anyway. Besides, I think it says on the label that GE will not be held liable for any use inconsistant with the products labeling. We just want an inexpensive product that we can feel safe using, that comes in colors that are useful to us.

Also, if you are able to make suggestions for products, if you could suggest a fish safe 100% silicone that comes in all the colors that GE II comes in (or at least clear, white, black, and brown) and is around the same price, there is a VERY large community of people that want this product. If it were available, and cost effective, this community of people would be using it ALOT. This isn't like someone buying silicone for home repairs, where they get it once and don't buy it again for a long time, this is people constantly building new vivairums, aquariums, terrariums, tank furniture, all sorts of things, with your companies product. Once you start in this hobby, you can't stop. I currently have 13 herps, and I know I will continue to collect more, meaning more cages and more silicone to purchase. There are thousands more people like me all across the world that also enjoy this hobby. GE would stand to profit considerably by releasing a product like this.

Please understand that the reason I word this email in this manner is because MANY of us have been told by GE reps that they can't tell us whether it is safe or not due to liability issues. I feel like I need to beg for information at this point. You were so helpful in your response to me, and you seem to appreciate that I helped with the website issue, so I am really hoping that you can help me with these other questions. I know there are alot of them, but it really all boils down to one thing: Is it safe? If not, what is?

Thank you so much for any help you are able to offer,
Meghan

What do you guys think? Do you think she will give me any answers, or do you think I'll get blown off like I have in the past?

[froggsong]

And of course:

Originally Posted by Sandy the GE Rep's email

Dear Meghan,

We don't endorse the use of any of our silicone products for use associated with vivariums. Our recomendation would be to go with a silicone sealant that is rated for marine life--Perfecto is an aquarium manufacturer and they label a silicone sealant under their name. that is the best recommendation I can give you.

Best regards,

Sandy

How did I know she was going to say that??? I guess I must be psychic...

[heartagramtc]

maybe u should have left out the vivarium parts and just gave Dog, cat, or human scenarios. they might have answered those. lol

[froggsong]

Did you notice that she said that perfecto "labels" a silicone under their name? That means that they buy it from someone else and then stick their name on it. Who knows, GE might even make it, lol...