Many floor finishes are toxic to children, pets, and the elderly. A third of all household pets die from inhalation of cleaning fluids or fumes. Floor finishers, paint sealants, and deck fins are all elements that can emit toxic chemicals into the air. Decks Fins, which are used on garage floors, are especially dangerous. This is because they often contain formaldehyde and lead. Floor finishers and other types of finishes should be properly maintained to prevent health risks.
Conventional Floor Finishers Urethanes is petroleum-based solutions that are heavily processed and refined. The ingredients are heated to a boil and poured into unclassified molds. Urethanes are composed of ethylene glycol (E&G), polyurethane (PABA), polyisoprene (PI), and chlorine. These ingredients can be a potential cancer risk because many are considered carcinogenic when inhaled. The Urethanes used to create wood floor protectors, and garage floors are the most likely to emit hazardous toxins into the atmosphere, which is why many homeowners and professionals are opting for more environmentally-friendly alternatives to their floor finishing projects.
Oil-based Floor Finishers “Petrochemicals” Petroleum is one of the most commonly used wood floor protectors components, but some people are allergic to the oil itself. Ethanol and methanol are two common ingredients in oil-based urethanes. Petrochemicals, which are similar to petroleum products, are also released into the air during the manufacturing process. Because they are petroleum-based, they are not considered safe alternatives to water-based urethanes and can potentially emit similar toxins into the air.
Water-Based Floor Finishers Tung oil, another common ingredient in wood protectors and garage flooring products, is created from the tung tree’s bark. Like methanol and ethanol, tung oil is produced from petroleum products. Because they are derived from natural oils, they are considered by many to be safer alternatives to petroleum-based urethanes. However, like petroleum oils, water-based urethanes can emit toxic vapor.
Most Non-Hazardous Floor Finishers Tung oil, methanol, mineral spirits, and other volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) are considered extremely hazardous. They are considered hazardous primarily because fumes may be inhaled and ingested through food or drinks. VOCs are emitted by a product’s chemical processes and contain no chlorination byproducts. Therefore, even when emissions are minimal, they still trigger an individual’s individual responses. Exposure to hazardous oil-based urethanes may result in nose, throat, or eye irritation, headaches, nausea, dizziness, chest discomfort, difficulty breathing, and more.
Ethanol-A urethane product derived from ethanol, also known as ethyl alcohol, is one of the most popular floor finishes. It is often used as an engine degreaser because it breaks down contaminants in the engine leading to catastrophic engine failure. Ethanol is the industrial solvent of choice for cleaning stainless steel manufacturing equipment. These characteristics are used as a floor finish, but its solvents and vapors can still be dangerous to those who are allergic to them. When working with Ethanol, special products are required to mitigate the risk of exposure.
Methylene Chloride Urethanes, also known as MCF, is common floor finishes. These urethanes do not contain volatile organic chemicals, making them safe for humans and the environment. However, they can still emit toxic fumes if used in quantities beyond the manufacturer’s recommendation. As an alternative to petroleum-based urethanes, Methylene Chloride urethanes are made with a mixture of materials that includes PVCu, which is resistant to moisture, sunlight, and stains, along with ethylene, which makes it waterproof.
Polyurethane urethanes, or polyurethane, are produced from fatty acid polymer. This floor finisher comes in various formulations and is popular for its low cost and high durability. Some forms of polyurethane contain up to 95% VOCs, making them particularly dangerous to breathe. These include Butyl, Ethyl Alcohol, methylene Chloride, and Diethylene Glycol. Because of their highly flammable properties, San Antonio Floor Finishers should use all forms of this floor finisher in facilities with established fire protection systems.