Floor Varnish Fumes

For the first few days airing out the house should be a priority.

Floor varnish fumes.

Breathing in the fumes for a long period is also harmful. However exposure to paint and its fumes has the potential to cause irritation of the skin eyes and throat. The finished product is a smooth glossy and durable surface that is easy to clean. Moreover the vocs that many paint products contain can.

Lacquer is dangerous to swallow. Overall investing in a low voc or eco friendly polyurethane clear coat is the ideal treatment for hardwood floors because it s the only way to keep your home free of unnecessary toxins and fumes. Many varnish products contain benzene which is a known carcinogen that is highly flammable. Epoxy paint is typically used to cover concrete floors because of its ability to keep the concrete from becoming damaged due to water absorption over time 2.

Epoxy paint contains toxic chemicals known as isocyanates that help to create this effect. Both water and oil based polyurethane protect natural wood floors leaving behind a shiny coating. Green building council ranks varnish and lacquer as the worst offenders in terms of voc off gassing. Brush up on the basics of 8 popular options before choosing yours.

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 floor should be mostly cured enough to live on in the first 5 7 days but it can take up to a month for the odors to be completely gone and for the finish to reach its maximum hardness. 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 solvents in varnish are extremely pungent and the fumes can cause drowsiness headaches skin irritation and dizziness.

Hardwood floor finishes have varying levels of ease durability even glossiness. Lacquer is a clear or colored coating called a varnish that is often used to give wooden surfaces a glossy look. This is difficult during the winter months but keeping air moving is. Learn more about ecos paints water based varnishes.

Federal law requires varnishes to contain less than 450 grams of vocs per liter with. Most paints are very safe.