There S Mercury In Urethane Floors

The bioavailability of any mercury from polyurethane floorings in the non vapor form is not known.
There s mercury in urethane floors. This is an important issue because pcbs have been identified as probable. Pma breaks down and releases odorless colorless mercury vapor. Because of previous practices mercury contamination can be found in some soils and demolition debris in minnesota. Developed in 1937 by i g.
Based on the information available the epa believes that there was potentially widespread use of pcb containing building materials in schools and other buildings built or renovated between about 1950 and 1979. Mercuric salts are reported to have been used as catalysts in the production of. Due to recent attention on mercury containing flooring the university was concerned that the synthetic floor in the gym may contain mercury. Urethane flooring may also utilize rapidly renewable agro based materials as well as recycled materials within their formulation.
Mercury catalyzed polyurethane flooring and mercury contaminated demolition debris and soil. Disposal in minnesota. Wesley newhouse newhouse prophater kolman hogan llc tel. Athletic flooring installed between 1960 and 1980 often contains mercury that may pose a health risk during renovation activities.
If mercury in floor levels are greater than one 1 ppm proper floor maintenance adequate ventilation and cooling and initial worst case air sampling should be implemented. Rubber like polyurethane floors using 1 000 to 2 000 parts per million ppm of phenyl cercuric acetate pma catalyst have been installed in schools and elsewhere since the 1960s. There is no information on whether mercury can be rubbed off of the surface of the floorings or if there is mercury in dust on the floors. Mercury flooring removal in a gym slated for renovation.
History of mercury in gym floors. The floors and items that have been in contact with. Mercury is an element that can cause harmful environmental and health effects when disposed of improperly. Farbin these materials were used to create gum rubbers rigid foam and elastomers.
Articles there s mercury in those rubber floors. The mercury floor problem and health effects. Unlike many other flooring products poured in place urethane floors are part of a building s structure and do not end up in landfills upon repair or replacement. A polyurethane coating or urethane floor coating is a highly flexible highly abrasion resistant floor coating that is known for its shine and longevity.
Us epa reports that certain polyurethane flooring materials installed between 1962 and today contain mercury.