ARTICLES / DANGERS OF ISOCYANATES
Are You In Danger from Polyurethane Foam Toxic Substances
5/8/18
Even if you keep a clean and tidy home or business, there are materials present that might present a danger to you and your family or employees if you are not careful. One of the most common materials found in homes and offices around the world is polyurethane. It can be found in paints, floor coatings, foam insulation around pipes and similar products just to name a few, but polyurethane foam toxic substances can present a real danger.
If you look around your home today, it is probably filled with polyurethane products from the paint on the walls to many of the products you have around your house. This includes the foam cushions on your sofa and perhaps even your bedroom. This is because polyurethane provides additional strength, support, and flexibility which makes it ideal, save for your health.
The Dangers of Polyurethane
It is true that polyurethane is popular for several reasons, it’s durable, flexible, and quite inexpensive. Because it is derived from oil, it also contains Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) which have proven to present a danger to your health.
When in its liquid state, the VOCs are released in great numbers into the atmosphere, which is why you see people who apply or create polyurethane products wear protectives masks and equipment. Once inside the lungs, the VOCs can start to do damage, especially to those who suffer from respiratory illnesses such as asthma.
It was believed that once the polyurethane dried, the VOCs were trapped inside and presented no danger. However, recent studies have shown that VOCs will still leak into the atmosphere and will build up over time in indoor environments. Because the air inside the home is not circulated to any real degree compared to the outside air, the VOCs tend to build up and may start to affect the health of you, your family, and even the pets who live inside.
In addition, foam products made from polyurethane become quite dangerous if they catch on fire. The fire releases the toxic VOCs at one time which makes them a real health threat to anyone who breathes in the smoke released from the foam products. This danger has been recognized and while many manufacturers have responded by adding fire-retardant chemicals, the products still represent a danger when exposed to high amounts of heat.
Alternatives
While foam products that are made from polyurethane are safer if they have been treated with fire-retardant, the danger from the VOCs being released means that you should seek out alternatives. The good news is that there are companies which produce safe or “green” products that provide all the advantages of polyurethane, but with a fraction or no VOCs at all.
If you are looking for a substitute to polyurethane foam toxic materials, Hybrid Green Technologies are available from Hybrid Coating Technologies in Northern California. Our knowledge, expertise, and green products can replace the polyurethane substances in your home or business, providing for a safer environment. For a free no obligation quote visit us online HERE to find out more about how we can help.
