A Group Leader is a What to Expect community member who has been selected by our staff to help maintain a positive, supportive tone within a group. It is dry; however, we are sleeping in the house with my 3 year old and Im starting to freak out that the fumes will harm her. Its manufacturing uses less non-renewable resources and air pollutants, so its even better for the environment. Various studies over the years have looked into the . LDPE does not contain BPA, but as with most plastics, it can leach estrogenic chemicals. As my husband says now we can pass it down to our children what the hell am I supposed to do with a giant chemically infused cradle?!! 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. Do you keep your significant other awake? Foam products contain lots of harmful chemicals. Floors are gorgeous. The fumes can cause irritation to your eyes, nose, and throat. These products dont contain most of the chemicals used in foam-based products, if not all. This is possibly the best way to ventilate the room while keeping the possibility of dust and debris to a minimum. I think like Gina said..3 days is good! Refinishing furniture can expose you to solvents that may have risks for your baby. I am removing carpet due to asthma. Whether it should be used so freely in baby products is up for debate but there are strong arguments against it. The owner of the apartment in question stayed far away, but left my unknowing family exposed and wondering where the smell was coming from. If the application area is large, it would be better to stay away for at least 7 to 14 days and longer if possible. Poly polish can create an obvious scent in . They said it would be safe after 5 days. I remember searching online for someone who had had a similar experience with an okay outcome for baby. When choosing a baby-friendly product, always look for those free from harmful chemicals such as VOC. There is an easy solution that requires no special fitting or discomfort. Thankfully, the weather has been nice and we've been able to air the place out, but I can definitely still smell it. I have been given a "pregnancy hotline" by my midwife to call 1-800-322-5014 so I will call them as soon as they open at 9am. We respect everyones right to express their thoughts and opinions as long as they remain respectful of other community members, and meet What to Expects Terms of Use. Label warnings are related to occupational over exposure to solvents. 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. Polyurethane, as we discussed prior, is a potentially toxic chemical compound that commonly contains other dangerous ingredients such as isocyanates that can be dangerous to human health upon inhalation/ingestion. Invented in the 1930s by Dr. Otto Bayer, polyurethanes became widely used during WWII. They have a good team of chemists also. Hi, My floors are being done right nowtoo :) DH and I are staying at his parents house.. the floors will be done Friday and the floor guy said give it until monday for the fumes to be cleared so an extra 3 days and he said to leave the heat on 65 with the windows cracked. 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. Hire These Companies When Remodeling Your Home This Year, 8 Remodeling Services You Should Trust a Professional With This Year, Home Spring Cleaning Services You Should Hire, Why Remodel Your Kitchen? Flame retardants also cause significant hormone disruptions, not to mention cancer and damage to the DNA. 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. Because of this, she began to research what the best ingredients and materials were for children and made it her mission to share this information with other mothers. Open some windows/doors and keep a fan blowing fumes out of room and prefferably out of the house by placing in a window or something. Turn off the skimmer. Polyvinyl chloride, formaldehyde, boric acid, antimony trioxide and different types of petrochemicals. When you drop by your nearby store or go on Amazon, youll find plenty of mattresses on sale. Paint and lead-based products High levels of lead in the body can affect the health of unborn babies and children. Will she be ok? The content is not meant to be a replacement for professional service advice. One of the most notable uses of polyurethane is in building and construction work, specifically to coat wood surfaces as a finishing. . Youll find that VOCs stands for volatile organic compounds. Its common for those around polyurethane for long periods of time to begin having problems breathing properly. These fumes could potentially irritate the eyes, throat, and lungs as well as cause allergic reactions for those with chemical sensitivities. The best part? You wouldnt put a solvent in a bag and then inhale it would you? He is one of the lucky ones who recovered, but I remember specifically being asked at the time of his diagnosis whether he had previously been exposed to benzene. nitrogen oxides from the heating of atmospheric oxygen and nitrogen. Which isn't helping. I know with a lambswool pad, but do you walk in one direction with the polyurethane or back and forth strokes? When it comes to using polyurethane finishing coats on the wood surfaces in your home, many people will see the vast amount of benefits it offers, which include protecting the wood for damage and providing a shiny, polished look. This technology is used as the first stage filtration in these air purifiers, along with the second-stage filtration of a HEPA filter for fine particulate removal larger than 0.3 microns in size at a 99.99% efficiency. These polyurethane fumes can travel throughout the whole air space and remain hanging in the air for a significant portion of time, depending on the conditions in the environment such as poor ventilation, airflow, and temperature. We have 2 small kids so Im stressing out. In certain situations, those who are exposed to polyurethane might begin throwing up. Any thoughts about the exposure of my family to these toxic fumes? c. carabear69. Breathing in the fumes for a long period is also harmful. I have fans running in there 24/7 and it is air conditioned. These hazardous air pollutants cause a LOT of horrible health effects like changes in hormone levels, obesity, and asthma. Paint fumes and chemical additives can linger and baby's systems are especially vulnerable and sensitive. But after 5 days, it smelled real strong and I could feel it in my eyes a little when in there. By Josh Arnold Updated December 17, 2018. A mask reduces the inhalation of paint fumes, while sleeves and long pants prevent paint from getting on the skin. More about irritation then toxicity but better safe then sorry. If your son was being irritated by solvents he probably would be exhibiting the symptoms: watering eyes, coughing. Loose or Creaking Boards & Tight or Popping Boards. Best Choice Products 10 Dual Layered Memory Foam Mattress, Best Position to Sleep After Shoulder Surgery. Further, fire retardant chemicals seem to be so ubiquitous in our environment now, they even show up in the food in our supermarkets, our urine, our breast milk you get the idea. Because young children are very vulnerable and may spend over 50 percent of their early life on a baby mattress, there is a concern about the . However, while they are fire-resistant to a certain degree, they may contain harmful chemicals. A: Interesting question. Born and raised on Canada's west coast, Katie became acutely aware of the toxins and chemicals allowed in baby products when she was pregnant with her daughter. In addition, my husband had leukemia several years ago. You may want to check into that. I can't let any workers in with that toxic odor. Stay with a friend!! References: When is it safe to live in our home? PP: polypropylene. by amanda wooley | Jan 2, 2020 | Indoor Air Quality, Odor Removal, VOCs. BUT it reeks of polyurethane which I know is not safe to breath in for anyone, let alone a baby. Prior to starting this website, Katie spent close to a decade as a travel blogger, and has written for National Geographic and been featured in the Washington Post, Business Insider, and more. Discover how you can expel toxic polyurethane fumes faster. MIL will be sanding, staining soon. In this article, we dig into the chemistry and production of polyurethane foam to answer the question: is your babys foam mattress toxic? Generally, people are exposed to these chemicals through household dust, contaminated food, air or water. Polyethylene foam products usually dont stand up to frequent washing. Still, it pays to be cautious and double-check if your mattress pad contains other harmful chemicals. Thanks for the comments ladies. Is it safe to paint a deck while pregnant? My tenant is complaining that it still smells. Some common ones are memory foam and high-density foam. Polyurethane yellows and messes up the paint colors. Skip canned food and drinks; choose fresh or frozen foods and juice, soda . For most hazardous substances, pregnant . Plus, its soft and spongy and doesnt contain harmful chemicals, making it one of the best materials to use in pillows and mattresses. In addition, when the temperature in the room is elevated it will exacerbate the off-gassing of chemicals within these polyurethane wood finishings. Latex foam products DONT have toxic chemicals and toxic fumes that your child can inhale, so its safe for their lungs, too. Respiratory Issues First, polyurethane is a petrochemical resin that contains known respiratory toxins called . (It was still great when we gave it away and got a bigger table.) Nuna Sena Aire vs Bugaboo Stardust (Not Sponsored Comparison), Nuna Sena Aire Review: Not Sponsored, Personally Tested, Lovevery 11-12 Months Play Kit: Lovevery Thinker Kit Review (Not Sponsored From Personal Experience). Any information that is provided on this website is not for the use by any commercial or personal entity without expressed written consent of the blog author. Well help you with your last-minute shopping with these mattress foam tips. The polyurethane fumes can also cause irritation of the eye, nose and throat; vomiting; headaches; shortness of breath and dizziness. To summarize, there are a few common side effects associated with exposure to polyurethane fumes. If your floor is being finished by a professional and it's possible for you to leave the home, it's best to stay away long enough for the finish to cure and the odor to disperse, which usually takes about 48 hours. 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. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. This product dries very well. They are often used in two-part glues or surface coatings. However, its history goes back much further. In addition to the polyurethanes ability to protect the wood from potential damage, it also has been used to provide the wood items with a glossy, smooth finish that gives a more polished appearance in the home which can be used on wood flooring, cabinets, and furniture. Generally these finishes use mineral spirits as a main solvent. Click here to get a 60 day money back guarantee. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. 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. I was exposed to a lot polyurethane fumes last night. Polyurethane is generally applied directly to the wood surface with the use of a bristle brush that helps to reduce the appearance of streaks by giving the wood an even application of the polyurethane varnish. We have a 16 month old son. The use and application of polyurethane can be quite broad, going further than the traditional method of using this chemical product just for a wood surface finishing. Worse yet, do they keep you awake? Polyurethane foam is a petroleum byproduct (yup, just like gas for your car!). Polyurethane fumes side effects When not fully cured, Polyurethane fumes have several side effects such as asthma and difficulty breathing for people with respiratory conditions. I feel as if my family has been violently assaulted. The stain won't penetrate through the finish into the wood. Phone | 239.330.9650 Latex foam is easy to maintain since its durable and dust resistant. Polyurethane . Note that once you confirm, this action cannot be undone. In addition, you should also avoid moving back furniture for at least 4 days after the initial application. Lacquer is a clear or colored coating (called a varnish) that is often used to give wooden surfaces a glossy look. Luckily, there are safer paints on the . 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. PFOS causes a host of brain disorders and slows down cognitive development. When it's heated and sprayed and mixed with carbon dioxide you get a foam. Polyurethane is made of isocyanates and volatile organic compounds. So, you can find them as part of several baby products such as cribs these days. We had our hardwood floors in the kitchen professionally redone, sanded and 2 coats of polyurethane put on over the course of 2 days. I hate to hear things like that but I will go back to my friends house and have the kids nap there and I wont stay home for a few more days. These chemicals cause damage to the different organs, including the reproductive system, nervous system, respiratory system, liver, and kidneys. Sigh of relief!!! Extra diligence when choosing the material of your products means better health for EVERYONE in your family. While this sounds not so bad, its also worth noting most of the car seat foam they tested did have fire retardants. Should you be advised to vacate the premises for a few days? Polyurethanes.org & Tight or Popping Boards foam products dont have toxic chemicals and toxic fumes brain! Certain situations, those who are exposed to polyurethane fumes last night and! 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