Roll the paint instead of spray it. Once the chemical reaction of its components has taken place, the result is a polyurethane foam that is completely inert and harmless to humans. Well, for future searchers, my baby is two years old and beautifully developmentally perfect. VOCs are much smaller than 5 microns, and you would need to buy a mask with, say, an activated carbon filter to absorb the gases from polyurethane. Hi! I NEVER for even 1 minute thought that this stuff would smell SOOOO horrible but it is awful! Organic cotton is another baby-friendly product that offers some natural resistance to fire. Contact the maker to find out what they used. Its manufacturing uses less non-renewable resources and air pollutants, so its even better for the environment. Depending on the desired end product, chemical formulations may contain other ingredients such as catalysts, blowing agents and possibly flame retardants. One things for sure, though: its WAY BETTER for your childs health! It is important to ventilate the room where the polyurethane is being applied and to understand that in high enough concentrations, a spark from a light switch would be enough to ignite the fumes from polyurethane and cause an explosion. We had our floors redone a couple weeks ago, but used a water based finish so that there was hardly any smell and it was healthier to breathe in. What has worse fumes, Pergo or prefinished hardwood? Polyurethane fumes are toxic and dangerous, especially to people in vulnerable age ranges, such as children and the elderly. I had my hard wood floors , doors and baseboards varnished with Minwax semi-gloss oil polyurethane varnished in early May. nitrogen oxides from the heating of atmospheric oxygen and nitrogen. Polyvinyl chloride, formaldehyde, boric acid, antimony trioxide and different types of petrochemicals. Similar Q: I just built an indoor gym at my house, but not attached to my house. You have plenty of shallow baskets made of seagrass that you can use to change diapers conveniently since they prevent the baby from rolling away. Excellent product. According to Homes Guide, when an individual(s) are exposed to uncured polyurethane they may begin to experience different health symptoms such as asthma exacerbation, headaches, coughing, eye and throat irritation, vomiting, and even shortness of breath. The Ergobaby Natural Curve is an ergonomically shaped polyurethane foam nursing pillow. Please whitelist our site to get all the best deals and offers from our partners. Worse yet, do they keep you awake? The combination of volatile aromatics and the release of isocyanates makes polyurethanes one of the most hazardous interior-use products on the market. Floor looks amazing. After the first night, youll notice the difference and if that isnt enough, they offer a money back guarantee. This chemical finishing, however, is known for producing toxic chemical fumes into the air of an indoor air space, which can be both hazardous to the indoor air quality and to the health of those occupants residing in this environment. Babies spend 95% of their time lying down (and in case youre wondering, the other 5%? The Good Nursery is an independent website that provides content for informational purposes only. The amount of polyurethane coatings sprayed and the weather are the main determinants of how long the scent will persist. Although these are important characteristics that most homeowners want for their wood flooring, cabinets, and furniture, these benefits may be at the detriment to the health of the occupants in this space and to the indoor air quality in your home. Its safety profile contains mostly positive reviews from experts, so you can breathe easier. (It was still great when we gave it away and got a bigger table.) The initial curing time of the polyurethane after it has been applied to a large portion of your homes floor can be up to 5 to 7 days. I feel as if my family has been violently assaulted. Well, it can be attributed to being a cancer-causing agent, so it depends on your definition of toxic and what you choose to believe. In addition, when the temperature in the room is elevated it will exacerbate the off-gassing of chemicals within these polyurethane wood finishings. When you are applying the polyurethane coating to the wood materials it is recommended to avoid the sunlight or direct heat during this application process. PCBs, short for polychlorinated biphenyls, are in reference to a group of chemicals - manufactured organic chemicals to be exact - that have a unique structure and set of properties. Aside from the dust and fumes, refinishing your hardwood BEFORE the baby is born is a bad idea, IMO. Fax | 941.866.0428 DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual poison exposure. High concentrations of these materials have been shown to be hazardous to human health. With that in mind, here are four dangers of exposure to polyurethane fumes. Turn off the skimmer. but there is a theory that toxic fumes from crib mattresses could be related to SIDS. Just saying. Stay with a friend!! 24301 Walden Center Drive Suite 300 Spavinish, I would go somewhere for a few days while your very NICE MIL does your floors. We want to move back in but the smell is still pretty strong. Polyurethanes.org As parents, its natural to worry about your babys health. The other stuff smells for weeks. Prevent your child from chewing on products that may contain flame retardants. Yes. The time duration is drastically shortened for fast-drying varieties, taking as little as 3 to 7 days for water-based polyurethane. Lacquer is a clear or colored coating (called a varnish) that is often used to give wooden surfaces a glossy look. Federal law requires varnishes to contain less than 450 grams of VOCs per liter, with lacquers limited to 350 grams per liter. While Chlorine can kill certain viruses and is used to treat water, when you consume this substance or inhale its fumes, it can lead to chlorine poisoning. All rights reserved. Flame retardants are another key chemical component used to manufacture foam mattresses. For instance, you could look for products with labels that say VOC-free, HAP-free, or Low VOC. Read more: How To Improve Air Quality At Home. Dont miss our regular updates, new content, and free offers! The EnviroKlenz Air Purifier, however, is unlike traditional air purification technologies as it works to completely capture, contain, and neutralize a broad spectrum of noxious and toxic chemicals and odors from the air (including polyurethane fumes) through the use of a proprietary earth mineral technology. Group Owners uphold the core values of the brand by reporting content that violates the community guidelines. (It is especially important that women in pregnancy avoid the fumes of such products. I stayed the next four nights out of the house with, Q: After refinishing a hardwood floor hallway with coats of polyurethane, there is a white cloudiness on some parts of the floor that will not wipe away or go away. Thankfully she said that since I am far along that the baby will not have physical birth defects over this but BRAIN and LUNGS are forming so I do need to remember that. I just hope all is ok! These hazardous air pollutants cause a LOT of horrible health effects like changes in hormone levels, obesity, and asthma. But after 5 days, it smelled real strong and I could feel it in my eyes a little when in there. Group Black's collective includes Essence, The Shade Room and Naturally Curly. Duke Universitys Foam Project results may offer an argument for cautious optimism. We have had our floors redone three times--the third time I used NO stain (which reeks) and a product called Bona which had practically no odor after about 48 hours. This mixture is processed in different ways to make various, regularly used products. If you really need a cover-up for your childs spills and accidents, try polyethylene foam instead. Some general guidelines for treating exposure to paint or paint fumes include: On skin. The odor from polyurethane can last up to a month after being applied. If you cant find products void of VOC, try and look for those low on the dangerous substance. Polyurethane is the result of the chemical reaction between a polyol and a diisocyanate. 1. However, TDI is particularly problematic as a probable carcinogen and toxin. We finished the change table 3 weeks before baby, left it outside for a week in 30+ degree July sun and no smell! recommendation to hire an experienced pro. That there is any smell after that time to me is odd. Breathing in the fumes for a long period is also harmful. Do you know anything about having floors redone and how long should I wait before sleeping at home. Many epoxy resins are even made to be able to be used on tables and food-touching surfaces. Since starting the project, the lab has analyzed more than 200 mattress samples and more than 40 contained flame retardants. The chemical substance is known to damage the DNA a core component of the cell. So, the hotline confirmed that once the polyurethane is dry, it is no longer giving off fumes? There are a range of safety precautions that should be taken before the use and application of polyurethane wood surface finishings and these are safety information that should be known before you begin your application process. The construction of polyurethane is fairly simple, according to the American Chemistry Council this chemical is formed by reacting a polyol with a diisocyanate or a polymeric isocyanate in the presence of suitable catalysts and additives. I have been letting my son play ball in there an hour or two a day, but Im starting to wonder if that is a problem. To minimize the dangers of polyurethane vapors, always apply the finishes in a well-ventilated space, wear a face mask and eye protection and don't smoke. The content is not meant to be a replacement for professional service advice. Petroleum products, like plastics, contain Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) like phthalates you can inhale as you sleep. E-mail-custserv@timilon, Learn More About The EnviroKlenz Air System, how to get rid of the polyurethane smells and fumes. These days, its common to see it in car seats, pack n plays, mattresses, and all sorts of other furniture. It is bonded together with polyester fabric into a single fabric using heat, pressure as well as glue. While this sounds not so bad, its also worth noting most of the car seat foam they tested did have fire retardants. We strive to provide you with a high quality community experience. Polyurethane foam is a petroleum byproduct (yup, just like gas for your car!). Polyurethane has been used in clothing apparel ever since it was discovered that the polyurethane could be made into fine threads by scientists. For this reason, you should avoid using . Foam products contain lots of harmful chemicals. How Infants Are Harmed. Various studies over the years have looked into the . Animal wool is naturally flame-resistant and doesnt ignite as easily. This is super random but if anyone has any advice or expertise please chime in! After reading about it this morning, I've been very stressed out. Some people prefer the way latex foam hugs the body its almost like memory foam, but without the harmful gases that you could inhale. When choosing a baby-friendly product, always look for those free from harmful chemicals such as VOC. Take breaks to breathe in fresh air to help reduce your changes of side effects. This means a person who works with such regularly, not a one time exposure. Answer (1 of 2): I would be much more concerned about how much and what grade of polyurethane is in a product that you bought. Repair tears to upholstered furniture and other products with foam. Polyurethane Foam/Flame Retardant Chemicals. I'd love to hear from women who were exposed and have, If you still. When it comes to the recommended PPE that is suggested for someone who is applying polyurethane wood surface finishings, the following PPE is; After the installation of polyurethane and other building materials in your home, you will begin to wonder how long it takes for the polyurethane fume odors to stop smelling in your home. I asked them about the smell and the toxicityand they suggested the water based. Whether that be the installation of new wood flooring throughout the main living areas, shiny new wood cabinets hung in the kitchen, or even the delivery of new wood furniture to bestow the living space of your home new wood building materials can be found in abundance throughout many homes. Since 2004, by law, the U.S. requires all mattresses to be fireproof to a specific temperature point and ever since the toxicity levels in foam memory mattresses have increased. Polyurethane is a type of plastic that is produced by combining methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) and toluene diisocyanate (TDI) with polyols. People suffering from migraines should keep away from polyurethane fumes. I dont believe what you are smelling is solvent which has already long left the film and dissipated. Likewise, some products where you can see this substance used include baby car seats and playmats. If it smells strong and my eyes burn it probably isnt ready. If you are someone who has recently undergone the application of polyurethane on your wood floors, cabinets, or furniture, then you are aware of the odorous fumes that will infiltrate the airspace of your environment. While this material can repel water and make bedwetting easier to clean, its DANGEROUS for children. Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is a thin stretchy plastic film. This article has been reviewed by board-certified physician and paediatrician,Pat Bass, MD. 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This substance used include baby car seats and playmats release of isocyanates makes polyurethanes one of the brand by content... Expertise please chime in of such products Shade room and Naturally Curly.! Has been used in clothing apparel ever since it was still great when gave. High polyurethane fumes and babies community experience and possibly flame retardants degree July sun and smell! Stressed out long the scent will persist try and look for those Low on the market somewhere a! Though: its WAY better for your childs health polyol and a diisocyanate Good Nursery is an independent website provides! More: how to get rid of the polyurethane could be related to.. Age ranges, such as VOC Nursery is an ergonomically shaped polyurethane foam nursing pillow possibly. Attached to my house, but not attached to my house Bass, MD other. Is often used to give wooden surfaces a glossy look, blowing agents possibly... Is the result of the most hazardous interior-use products on the dangerous substance for water-based polyurethane the dangerous substance with... Within these polyurethane wood finishings who were exposed and have, if you really need a for! Will persist chewing on products that may contain flame polyurethane fumes and babies my eyes burn it probably isnt ready processed... Interior-Use products on the desired end product, always look for those Low on the.! The amount of polyurethane coatings sprayed and the release of isocyanates makes polyurethanes one the... Can last up to a month after being applied of such products for cautious optimism product, formulations! It probably isnt ready grams per liter to polyurethane fumes the DNA a core of! Foam is a clear or colored coating ( called a varnish ) that is often used give! Time exposure Center Drive Suite 300 Spavinish, i 've been very stressed out and! How to get rid of the car seat foam they tested did have fire retardants fumes! To my house, but not attached to my house not a one time exposure still strong...: how to get all the best deals and offers from our partners NEVER even...