There S Mercury In Urethane Floors

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 s mercury in urethane floors.

Before undertaking athletic facility updates it s important for facility managers to understand the history risks and responsibilities related to mercury in gym floors. Due to recent attention on mercury containing flooring the university was concerned that the synthetic floor in the gym may contain mercury. Farbin these materials were used to create gum rubbers rigid foam and elastomers. The mercury floor problem and health effects.

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 is an element that can cause harmful environmental and health effects when disposed of improperly. 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. History of mercury in gym floors.

A university planned to renovate their gym where the flooring was comprised of hardwood on top of an older synthetic rubber floor. 4 floors with leachate that exceeds the us epa maximum concentration of 0 2 ppm mg l of mercury must be disposed of as hazardous waste. This is an important issue because pcbs have been identified as probable. Articles there s mercury in those rubber floors.

Mercury catalyzed polyurethane flooring and mercury contaminated demolition debris and soil. Pma breaks down and releases odorless colorless mercury vapor. 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. Urethane flooring may also utilize rapidly renewable agro based materials as well as recycled materials within their formulation.

Wesley newhouse newhouse prophater kolman hogan llc tel. The bioavailability of any mercury from polyurethane floorings in the non vapor form is not known. Because of previous practices mercury contamination can be found in some soils and demolition debris in minnesota. Developed in 1937 by i g.

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. The floors and items that have been in contact with. 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.