Here s what you need to know about polyurethane fumes and how they relate to your health.
Floor varnish fumes toxic.
Therefore decide which option you are more comfortable with when choosing a non toxic finish option.
However they also include toxic chemicals that pose harm to human health.
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.
Check out pre finished engineered hardwood flooring.
Many liquid varnishes are flammable or combustible.
Dyes can penetrate the wood and pigments sit on top of the wood like paints.
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.
But of all types of fumes and toxins avoiding polyurethane fumes may be the most essential due to their potential for harmful side effects.
Paint cans may release chemicals gases or fumes even if they re closed and so a basement or closet full of old paint cans is bad news.
The most non toxic finish option would be no voc products such as natural oils and natural waxes.
Today the ingredients of wood stains are more complicated.
Afm poly bp is another great non toxic finish.
The epa also warns against storing paint in your home.
Getting to know wood stains.
2 3 non toxic wood floor finishes zero voc or low voc finishes.
Polyurethane is available in two types water and.
Although polyurethane gives natural wood floors a beautiful long lasting sheen it is also a toxic chemical and should be used with caution.
When dried on the wood i d say pretty well all wood varnishes will burn quite well but really no better or worse than the wood they are on.
Adverse health symptoms when exposed to toxic floor finish.
Green building council ranks varnish and lacquer as the worst offenders in terms of voc off gassing.
Wood stains have 3 main components including pigment or dye binders and solvents.
Avoid living in your home if you or family members experience headaches brain fog lethargy wheezing eye nose or throat irritation until proper diagnosing of the air quality regarding potentially toxic chemicals and lung damaging particulates.
However damages can happen.
Federal law requires varnishes to contain less than 450 grams of vocs per liter with.
I go into detail on more options for wood sealers and stains in my post on sealers.
I used hemp oil on my floors a purest option.