Sustainable Terrazzo Floor Care-Dispelling the Myths
As the world moves towards more sustainable design and maintenance myths are starting to be propagated which only leads to confusion. School superintendents, custodians and teachers are being bombarded by false information. The following are some of these myths and the truth behind them as it applies to floor care
Myth #1- Coatings, waxes etc are used as a sacrificial layer to protect the floor.
FALSE- Coatings such as acrylics, epoxies, urethanes commonly found in floor finishes are soft compared to the natural hardness of terrazzo which is basically concrete and marble. Due to their inherit softness they tend to trap and hold dirt and debris which contributes to accelerated wear of the surface.
A simple test can be performed to prove this. Take a tile and coat one half of it with a standard floor finish and leave the other half polished using a sustainable method. Allow the tile to sit in a room for a week. After a week you will notice that the coated side has more dust than the uncoated side. Next take a rag and wipe it across both sides of the tile. You will note that the drag on the rag is much greater on the coated side vs. the uncoated side. Now imagine how hard it is to remove this dirt and debris with a dust mop on coated floor.
Myth #2- Terrazzo contains asbestos and should not be ground
Let’s take a look at what terrazzo consists of. It is composed of concrete and marble chips or epoxy and marble chips. None of these components contain asbestos. Some concrete mixes do contain fiberglass particles which under a microscope can easily be mistaken for asbestos. In addition we have taken core samples of terrazzo on several occasions and have had them tested for asbestos. In every case no asbestos was found.
Myth #3 -Using Green and sustainable methods cost more
False; In fact sustainable maintenance will reduce cost dramatically. Not only will less time be required to dust mop and wet mop, but you have totally eliminated all chemical costs. Several studies can be found at www.boylanstonerestoration that will show that on average the cost savings is around $1.85 per square foot per year. In addition the payback on the initial restoration cost can be less than 3 years.
Myth #4 –Going green will cost jobs
False: most floor care programs spend nearly 70 % of manpower on floor care. Due to budget cuts, other areas of maintenance are being neglected. In fact based on our informal surveys more and more work is being placed on maintenance staff. By reducing the maintenance costs and labor required on floor care, manpower can be directed to other neglected areas.
Myth #5- A natural polished terrazzo floor will stain without a protective coating.
False: The natural polishing process closes the pores of the terrazzo which reduces the absorption of liquids. In many of our terrazzo restoration projects coffee was spilled and dried on the floor. The dried coffee was scraped up leaving no visible stain.
Myth #6- Stripper, coating and cleaners are now available in Green Formulations
Caution must be excerised when looking at what constitutes a “green” product. Many chemical companies have reduced the percentage of hazdourous chemicals in their formulations. However this does not make the product any safer. Many articles have discussed this and have called it Green Washing. A great example of this is in a article by The Environmental Working Group(www.ewg.org/schoolcleaningsupplies , which uses the cleaner Simple Green as an example. There article states that Simple Green claims to be non-toxic and biodegradable but failes to mention that the principal cleaning ingredient it contains is a possible human carcinogen.The hazardous ingredient is still present along with all the dangerous it exhibits. To be totally sustainable it is best to use NO CHEMICALS at all.
The myths that are circulating must be investigated and common logic applied to them. Many of these myths are put forth by chemical companies who are trying to market there hazdourds , health threating products. A simple review of the MSDS will show many of the ill effects of these chemicals.
Showing posts with label terrazzo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label terrazzo. Show all posts
Friday, March 5, 2010
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Designing a Sustainable(Green) Stone Floor Maintenance Program
Designing a Sustainable (Green) Stone Floor Maintenance Program
By Frederick M. Hueston PhD
Walk into any stone, terrazzo or janitorial chemical supplier and you will find an endless selection of cleaners, sealers, restorers, etc to keep you terrazzo and stone floors looking new. The problem is many of these chemicals can be harmful to the user, occupants and the environment. How does one design a program that is not only sustainable and safe but to also keep your terrazzo and stone flooring in like new condition?
Fortunately there is an effective way to not only maintain these surfaces but also to keep them looking new. The following guideline will show you how to develop a sustainable maintenance program. This is especially important for schools, hospitals and other buildings were children and people sensitive to these harmful chemicals are present everyday.
The dangers of floor strippers, finishes etc have been studied by many organizations including universities, etc. Here is a partial list of those studies
- Green Seal Report
Floor Care Products: Finishes and Strippers
www.greenseal.org/resources/reports/CGR_floorcare.pdf
-Safe and Effective Use of Floor Finish Strippers
Janitorial Products. Pollution Prevention Project
Sponsored by US EPA
www.wrppn.org/janitorial/factsheet/floor.htm
-Health Hazard Evaluation Report 95-0313-2589, University of Michigan Hospitals, Ann Arbor, Michigan
-NIOSH [1990]. NIOSH criteria for a
recommended standard: occupational exposure to
ethylene glycol monobutyl ether and ethylene
glycol monobutyl ether acetate. Cincinnati, OH:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
Public Health Service, Centers for Disease
Control, National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication
No. 90–118.
-Ruth JH [1986]. Odor thresholds and irritation
levels of several chemical substances: a review.
Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 47:A142–A151.
WHO [1983]. Indoor air pollutants: exposure
and health effects. World Health Organization
Regional Office for Europe. WHO–EURO report
and studies no. 78, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Program Guidelines
Step 1. A good sustainable maintenance program starts with proper identification of the stone. Is it granite, marble, terrazzo or limestone? If it’s marble is it soft or hard? What type of finish does it have? Polished, honed, flamed, etc.? Is the type of stone the proper material for the traffic it is to receive? If not maintenance costs will be higher. If the answer to these questions are unknown, I suggest you contact a reputable stone supplier or restoration company to find out. A complete understanding of your particular stones characteristics is an absolute must for designing a sustainable maintenance program.
Step 2. Once the stone’s characteristics are identified determine the quality of the installation. Are the tiles flat and even? Do they contain lippage (uneven tiles). If so, proper maintenance may prove difficult. The floor should be ground flat, honed and polished using sustainable restoration procedures that utilize non-chemical methods. Are there any cracked tiles? Dirt will have a tendency to accumulate in these cracks. These tiles should be replaced or if replacements are not available at least repaired.
Step 3. What is the present condition of the stone? Has it been coated with waxes, acrylics, urethane or other coatings? If so these coatings need to be ground off to determine the condition of the stone as well as eliminate any toxic and unsafe properties. I have seen stone floors that appear to be in great shape until the coatings are removed to unveil a pitted, scratched mess. If a poor condition is found, complete restoration is necessary before a successful sustainable maintenance program can begin.
Step 4. Once the stone is restored to like new condition, then and only then will a sustainable maintenance program provide good results. This applies not only to the following program but any program. If the stone will be exposed to water, coffee, spills etc, an application of a an approved Green impregnator is recommended. These impregnators are designed to penetrate into the stone, without leaving coatings on the surface and still allowing the stone to transpire(breathe). They contain no harmful vapors or off gases when cured.
Step 5. Daily Maintenance
The three most important tasks that can be done on a daily basis to keep the stone looking new and extending the time before restoration is required are: Dust Mop, Dust Mop and Dust Mop. The most destructive material to most stone is sand, dirt and miscellaneous grit. If these substances could be eliminated, maintenance of the stone would be almost non-existent. A stone floor can never be dust mopped too often. Use a clean, non-treated, dry dust mop at least two to three times a day in high traffic areas and less often in low traffic areas. Walk off mats placed outside and inside an entrance will also eliminate a good portion of sand, dirt and grit. It takes approximately seven steps to remove all loose dirt from the bottom of ones shoes. Walk off mats also need to be removed and cleaned daily. Keep this in mind when purchasing walk off mats. Remember if sand, dirt and grit are eliminated there will be nothing left behind to scratch and dull the stone.
Note: Coatings in addition to potentially being hazardous contribute to accelerate wearing of the stone or terrazzo surface by acting as a magnet for dirt and debri. It has been shown in studies that a stone or terrazzo floor without any coating will be easier to maintain as well as more cost effective.
Step 6. Cleaning
All natural stone, both polished and unpolished should be cleaned daily in high traffic areas and less often in lower traffic areas. A clean rayon or cotton string mop should be used with cold to warm water with the addition of a quality Green Approved neutral cleaner or stone soap. Approved Green Neutral cleaners are defined as surfactant type detergents that have a Ph of 7. Acidic and alkaline cleaners should not be used. Be sure to follow the directions very carefully.
Why Does Stone Shine?
All stone is taken from the earth in a raw block form. This block is cut into slices that we call slabs. The slabs are then cut further to a smaller size such as a tile or countertop. It is then polished using a series of abrasive materials. The mechanics are relatively simple. A piece of stone is rubbed with a series of abrasives starting with a course grit size followed by
Finer and finer grit sizes. The scratch pattern left behind from one grit is removed by the next grit creating finer and finer scratches. This process is continued until the scratch pattern becomes microscopic. The process is similar to refinishing a piece of wood, starting with a course sandpaper and ending with a fine sandpaper. The shine is placed on the stone by continuing this abrading process using very fine powders. With sustainable(Green) restoration methods no chemicals are used.
Restoration
Periodically the stone will need to be restored. Perhaps you have not followed a proper maintenance program or the type of stone you have is not suited to the conditions it receives or for what ever other reason it is not responding to maintenance, then restoration is required. How often this will need to be done is difficult to determine. Generally if all the precautions above are followed, restoration may only be needed as often as once per year or as little as once every five years or so. The restoration process re-hones the stone to remove deep scratches and is then re-polished. Do not attempt the re-honing process yourself, this requires a great degree of skill and experience, please call a reputable restoration company who specializes in sustainable methods for this task.
Natural stone was the first building material used by man. Its care and maintenance is one of the oldest tasks performed by our ancestors and was maintained without any of today’s modern chemical products. The above guidelines were developed by our years of experience with this beautiful material and with the addition of sustainable practices will provide many years of beauty.
Written by
Frederick M. Hueston, PhD
Stone University
E-Mail: Fhueston@aol.com
Web Site: www.stoneuniversity.org
By Frederick M. Hueston PhD
Walk into any stone, terrazzo or janitorial chemical supplier and you will find an endless selection of cleaners, sealers, restorers, etc to keep you terrazzo and stone floors looking new. The problem is many of these chemicals can be harmful to the user, occupants and the environment. How does one design a program that is not only sustainable and safe but to also keep your terrazzo and stone flooring in like new condition?
Fortunately there is an effective way to not only maintain these surfaces but also to keep them looking new. The following guideline will show you how to develop a sustainable maintenance program. This is especially important for schools, hospitals and other buildings were children and people sensitive to these harmful chemicals are present everyday.
The dangers of floor strippers, finishes etc have been studied by many organizations including universities, etc. Here is a partial list of those studies
- Green Seal Report
Floor Care Products: Finishes and Strippers
www.greenseal.org/resources/reports/CGR_floorcare.pdf
-Safe and Effective Use of Floor Finish Strippers
Janitorial Products. Pollution Prevention Project
Sponsored by US EPA
www.wrppn.org/janitorial/factsheet/floor.htm
-Health Hazard Evaluation Report 95-0313-2589, University of Michigan Hospitals, Ann Arbor, Michigan
-NIOSH [1990]. NIOSH criteria for a
recommended standard: occupational exposure to
ethylene glycol monobutyl ether and ethylene
glycol monobutyl ether acetate. Cincinnati, OH:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
Public Health Service, Centers for Disease
Control, National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication
No. 90–118.
-Ruth JH [1986]. Odor thresholds and irritation
levels of several chemical substances: a review.
Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 47:A142–A151.
WHO [1983]. Indoor air pollutants: exposure
and health effects. World Health Organization
Regional Office for Europe. WHO–EURO report
and studies no. 78, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Program Guidelines
Step 1. A good sustainable maintenance program starts with proper identification of the stone. Is it granite, marble, terrazzo or limestone? If it’s marble is it soft or hard? What type of finish does it have? Polished, honed, flamed, etc.? Is the type of stone the proper material for the traffic it is to receive? If not maintenance costs will be higher. If the answer to these questions are unknown, I suggest you contact a reputable stone supplier or restoration company to find out. A complete understanding of your particular stones characteristics is an absolute must for designing a sustainable maintenance program.
Step 2. Once the stone’s characteristics are identified determine the quality of the installation. Are the tiles flat and even? Do they contain lippage (uneven tiles). If so, proper maintenance may prove difficult. The floor should be ground flat, honed and polished using sustainable restoration procedures that utilize non-chemical methods. Are there any cracked tiles? Dirt will have a tendency to accumulate in these cracks. These tiles should be replaced or if replacements are not available at least repaired.
Step 3. What is the present condition of the stone? Has it been coated with waxes, acrylics, urethane or other coatings? If so these coatings need to be ground off to determine the condition of the stone as well as eliminate any toxic and unsafe properties. I have seen stone floors that appear to be in great shape until the coatings are removed to unveil a pitted, scratched mess. If a poor condition is found, complete restoration is necessary before a successful sustainable maintenance program can begin.
Step 4. Once the stone is restored to like new condition, then and only then will a sustainable maintenance program provide good results. This applies not only to the following program but any program. If the stone will be exposed to water, coffee, spills etc, an application of a an approved Green impregnator is recommended. These impregnators are designed to penetrate into the stone, without leaving coatings on the surface and still allowing the stone to transpire(breathe). They contain no harmful vapors or off gases when cured.
Step 5. Daily Maintenance
The three most important tasks that can be done on a daily basis to keep the stone looking new and extending the time before restoration is required are: Dust Mop, Dust Mop and Dust Mop. The most destructive material to most stone is sand, dirt and miscellaneous grit. If these substances could be eliminated, maintenance of the stone would be almost non-existent. A stone floor can never be dust mopped too often. Use a clean, non-treated, dry dust mop at least two to three times a day in high traffic areas and less often in low traffic areas. Walk off mats placed outside and inside an entrance will also eliminate a good portion of sand, dirt and grit. It takes approximately seven steps to remove all loose dirt from the bottom of ones shoes. Walk off mats also need to be removed and cleaned daily. Keep this in mind when purchasing walk off mats. Remember if sand, dirt and grit are eliminated there will be nothing left behind to scratch and dull the stone.
Note: Coatings in addition to potentially being hazardous contribute to accelerate wearing of the stone or terrazzo surface by acting as a magnet for dirt and debri. It has been shown in studies that a stone or terrazzo floor without any coating will be easier to maintain as well as more cost effective.
Step 6. Cleaning
All natural stone, both polished and unpolished should be cleaned daily in high traffic areas and less often in lower traffic areas. A clean rayon or cotton string mop should be used with cold to warm water with the addition of a quality Green Approved neutral cleaner or stone soap. Approved Green Neutral cleaners are defined as surfactant type detergents that have a Ph of 7. Acidic and alkaline cleaners should not be used. Be sure to follow the directions very carefully.
Why Does Stone Shine?
All stone is taken from the earth in a raw block form. This block is cut into slices that we call slabs. The slabs are then cut further to a smaller size such as a tile or countertop. It is then polished using a series of abrasive materials. The mechanics are relatively simple. A piece of stone is rubbed with a series of abrasives starting with a course grit size followed by
Finer and finer grit sizes. The scratch pattern left behind from one grit is removed by the next grit creating finer and finer scratches. This process is continued until the scratch pattern becomes microscopic. The process is similar to refinishing a piece of wood, starting with a course sandpaper and ending with a fine sandpaper. The shine is placed on the stone by continuing this abrading process using very fine powders. With sustainable(Green) restoration methods no chemicals are used.
Restoration
Periodically the stone will need to be restored. Perhaps you have not followed a proper maintenance program or the type of stone you have is not suited to the conditions it receives or for what ever other reason it is not responding to maintenance, then restoration is required. How often this will need to be done is difficult to determine. Generally if all the precautions above are followed, restoration may only be needed as often as once per year or as little as once every five years or so. The restoration process re-hones the stone to remove deep scratches and is then re-polished. Do not attempt the re-honing process yourself, this requires a great degree of skill and experience, please call a reputable restoration company who specializes in sustainable methods for this task.
Natural stone was the first building material used by man. Its care and maintenance is one of the oldest tasks performed by our ancestors and was maintained without any of today’s modern chemical products. The above guidelines were developed by our years of experience with this beautiful material and with the addition of sustainable practices will provide many years of beauty.
Written by
Frederick M. Hueston, PhD
Stone University
E-Mail: Fhueston@aol.com
Web Site: www.stoneuniversity.org
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Whats Under Your Carpeting
What’s Under Your Carpeting
By Frederick M. Hueston
If your building was built prior to 1980 chances are you are hiding one of the most beautiful, elegant and sustainable floor materials. That material is known as Terrazzo. Today, sustainability or what is more commonly known as Going Green is rapidly being required by many school systems, governments and private industry. Of all the materials that can be used for flooring there are only a few that qualify as sustainable and are considered safe. They are stone and terrazzo. However, even these materials can contribute to pollution and pose all kinds of health and safety risks if not properly cared for.
Why should you be concerned about your carpets and other flooring? The General accounting office of the EPA reports that one of the top five health concerns is Indoor Air Quality. In addition they report that nearly 50% of the US schools have this problem.
The following article will outline some of the hazards associated with other floor materials such as carpet and vinyl, as well as present a truly sustainable restoration and maintenance process for stone and terrazzo flooring. This information should help with your quest to improve indoor air quality in your school or building.
Carpet
Of the entire floor covering available carpet is the most popular and also the most hazardous. New and Old carpet alike emit harmful VOC’s (volatile organic Compounds) into the air. Solvents such as toluene, benzene, formaldehyde, ethyl benzene, styrene, acetone and the list goes on and on. Carpets are also a great breeding ground for dust mites, fleas and other insects as well as toxic molds and mildew. In addition carpet cleaning chemicals have been linked to diseases such as Kawasaki’s, fibromyologia and allergies.
Carpet in schools, offices and other public and private buildings are even more hazardous due to the number of people who not only walk on them but also people deposit skin cells, dust etc, not to mention food and drink that is spilled on them which provides the organic material necessary for bacteria to grow and thrive.
Of all the floor coverings carpet has the shortage service life.
Vinyl Composition Tile(VCT)
VCT is just as hazardous as carpet and possibly even more. The Adhesives used to attach VCT emit high levels of VOC’s. Since VCT is a tile moisture is often found between the tiles where toxic mold can grow.
VCT is found in almost all schools, government buildings etc. VCT is very inexpensive. VCT is made ( insert what it is made of here)
In addition to VCT composition almost all of it is maintained with harmful acrylic coatings. These coating need to be removed(stripped) and the strippers used contain hazardous chemicals as well(see article titled(Are Floor Strippers Safe). The Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) recommends that any major maintenance be performed only when the school is unoccupied for 48 hours.
Agglomerates
Agglomerated tile is composed of real stone fragments and polyester or epoxy resins. Some name brands include Fritz tile, Rover, Etc. The manufacturing process uses synthetic resins that emit high amounts of VOC’s
Agglomerates are often maintained using the same hazardous coatings and strippers used on VCT
Terrazzo and Stone
Marble, Granite, limestone, slate and terrazzo are the only true sustainable floor coverings. Stone is all natural and contains no harmful VOC’s or any other hazardous elements. They are manufactured by mother earth and there fabrication uses only water and abrasives. Terrazzo is composed of natural stone and Portland cement and is also very sustainable. In addition Natural Stone and Terrazzo flooring is long lasting. Just look at some of the buildings in Italy, France and other countries around the world. Some of these stone floors are hundreds of years old.
The dangers with stone and terrazzo floors come with the restoration and maintenance of these surfaces. Hazardous chemicals, polishes, sealers etc are often used for restoration and maintenance. These chemicals are as hazardous as the waxes and strippers used on VCT and agglomerated floor coverings.
The good news is that Stone and Terrazzo flooring can be restored and maintained with no harmful or hazardous chemicals. The restoration process uses only water and abrasives. Daily maintenance can be carried out using only Green Seal approved neutral cleaners.
If your floors are currently covered with carpet, vinyl etc.you may want to consider removing these harmful and dangerous floor coverings and restoring the terrazzo or stone that is under them.
Note: If you floors are not stone or terrazzo and are only concrete. Concrete can be polished and maintained as well.
www.ntc-stone.com www.stoneuniversity.org
By Frederick M. Hueston
If your building was built prior to 1980 chances are you are hiding one of the most beautiful, elegant and sustainable floor materials. That material is known as Terrazzo. Today, sustainability or what is more commonly known as Going Green is rapidly being required by many school systems, governments and private industry. Of all the materials that can be used for flooring there are only a few that qualify as sustainable and are considered safe. They are stone and terrazzo. However, even these materials can contribute to pollution and pose all kinds of health and safety risks if not properly cared for.
Why should you be concerned about your carpets and other flooring? The General accounting office of the EPA reports that one of the top five health concerns is Indoor Air Quality. In addition they report that nearly 50% of the US schools have this problem.
The following article will outline some of the hazards associated with other floor materials such as carpet and vinyl, as well as present a truly sustainable restoration and maintenance process for stone and terrazzo flooring. This information should help with your quest to improve indoor air quality in your school or building.
Carpet
Of the entire floor covering available carpet is the most popular and also the most hazardous. New and Old carpet alike emit harmful VOC’s (volatile organic Compounds) into the air. Solvents such as toluene, benzene, formaldehyde, ethyl benzene, styrene, acetone and the list goes on and on. Carpets are also a great breeding ground for dust mites, fleas and other insects as well as toxic molds and mildew. In addition carpet cleaning chemicals have been linked to diseases such as Kawasaki’s, fibromyologia and allergies.
Carpet in schools, offices and other public and private buildings are even more hazardous due to the number of people who not only walk on them but also people deposit skin cells, dust etc, not to mention food and drink that is spilled on them which provides the organic material necessary for bacteria to grow and thrive.
Of all the floor coverings carpet has the shortage service life.
Vinyl Composition Tile(VCT)
VCT is just as hazardous as carpet and possibly even more. The Adhesives used to attach VCT emit high levels of VOC’s. Since VCT is a tile moisture is often found between the tiles where toxic mold can grow.
VCT is found in almost all schools, government buildings etc. VCT is very inexpensive. VCT is made ( insert what it is made of here)
In addition to VCT composition almost all of it is maintained with harmful acrylic coatings. These coating need to be removed(stripped) and the strippers used contain hazardous chemicals as well(see article titled(Are Floor Strippers Safe). The Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) recommends that any major maintenance be performed only when the school is unoccupied for 48 hours.
Agglomerates
Agglomerated tile is composed of real stone fragments and polyester or epoxy resins. Some name brands include Fritz tile, Rover, Etc. The manufacturing process uses synthetic resins that emit high amounts of VOC’s
Agglomerates are often maintained using the same hazardous coatings and strippers used on VCT
Terrazzo and Stone
Marble, Granite, limestone, slate and terrazzo are the only true sustainable floor coverings. Stone is all natural and contains no harmful VOC’s or any other hazardous elements. They are manufactured by mother earth and there fabrication uses only water and abrasives. Terrazzo is composed of natural stone and Portland cement and is also very sustainable. In addition Natural Stone and Terrazzo flooring is long lasting. Just look at some of the buildings in Italy, France and other countries around the world. Some of these stone floors are hundreds of years old.
The dangers with stone and terrazzo floors come with the restoration and maintenance of these surfaces. Hazardous chemicals, polishes, sealers etc are often used for restoration and maintenance. These chemicals are as hazardous as the waxes and strippers used on VCT and agglomerated floor coverings.
The good news is that Stone and Terrazzo flooring can be restored and maintained with no harmful or hazardous chemicals. The restoration process uses only water and abrasives. Daily maintenance can be carried out using only Green Seal approved neutral cleaners.
If your floors are currently covered with carpet, vinyl etc.you may want to consider removing these harmful and dangerous floor coverings and restoring the terrazzo or stone that is under them.
Note: If you floors are not stone or terrazzo and are only concrete. Concrete can be polished and maintained as well.
www.ntc-stone.com www.stoneuniversity.org
Friday, November 2, 2007
Are Floor Strippers Safe?
Are Floor Strippers Safe
By Frederick M. Hueston
Almost all schools systems and public buildings apply acrylic finishes to there , terrazzo and stone flooring to keep them shiny and looking clean. Often these finishes have to be striped off and a new finish applied. The strippers that are used to remove these acrylic coatings often contain hazardous chemicals that are harmful to humans, animals and the environment. The following information will explore how dangerous these strippers are and offer an alternative.
I examined the Material Safety Data Sheets(MSDS) of over 20 popular strippers used to remove acrylic floor coatings. I found that there are several common ingredients found which are the following:
Monoethanolamine
Butoxyethanol
Ethanolamine
Ethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether
Sodium Hydroxide
I next examined the dangerous of these ingredients
Butoxyethanol
Butoxyethanol goes by several names including ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, ethylene glycol butyl either, ethylene glycol n-butyl ether, Butyl Cellosolve, butyl glycol, butyl oxitol,glycol butyl ether, Dowanol EB, Gafcol EB, poly-solv EB, and Ektasolve EB. If you see any of these ingredients on an MSDS for the stripper you are using you are dealing with Butoyethanol.
Butoxyethanol is used in many products other that floor strippers, including paints, varnishes, lacquers, paint thinners, agricultural products, herbicides, silicon caulks, cutting oils, fabric dyes and inks and household cleaners and even in some floor cleaners.
Butoyethanol is a dangerous chemical in many ways. It can pass into the air from water and soil as a vapor. This means that the vapors are emitted when you mix your strippers in water and apply them to the floor.
Butoxyethanol is very harmful to humans and has been shown in laboratory testing to cause the following:
Irritation of the nose and eyes
Headaches
A metallic Taste
Vomiting
Breathing problems
Low blood pressure
Lowered levels of hemoglobin
Blood in the urine
Metabolic acidosis
Birth Defects
Kidney and liver damage
Butoxyethanol and the Environment
Butoxyethanol can be absorbed by soil and can make its way into the water supply.
The warnings on many labels of floor stripper containing Butoxyethanol say the following:
Avoid breathing vapor or mist.Avoid contact with eyes, skin and clothing.Keep container closed.Use only with adequate ventilation.Wash thoroughly after handling.Keep away from heat and flame.
Do you want this harmful chemical used in your school or building?
Monoethanolamine
Monoethanolamine is another common chemical found in strippers.
Monoethanolamine also goes by several names such as Colamine, Glycinol, Olamine, Ethanolamine, 2-Aminoethanol, 2-Hydroxyethylamine, beta-Ethanolamine and beta-Hydroxyethylamine.
Some of the potential health effects include the following:
Extremely harmful to the eyes.
Harmful to lungs, skin.
Tissue damage can occur around mucus membranes
Can cause burns on the skin
Maybe toxic to Kidneys, Lungs, liver and central nervous system.
Monoethanolamine in also combustible.and corrosive
Harmful to animals and the environment.
Monoethanolamine can produce very harmful byproducts due to degradation in the environment.
Sodium Hydroxide
Another chemical found in many strippers is Sodium Hydroxide. Sodium Hydroxide
Is commonly known as lye. Any one who has ever worked with this knows it can easily burn you skin, not to mention what it can due to your eyes and mouth. It is classified as a poison and is very corrosive.
Since it is a poison it is harmful to animals and fish.
Conclusions and Alternatives
As you can see the common chemicals found in numerous stripper formulas are not safe for humans or the environment and cannot be classified as a sustainable practice if using them.
The good news is there are alternatives to these chemicals.
Acrylic coating on terrazzo and stone flooring can be removed mechanically with abrasives using no chemicals other than water.
Many Chemical companies are manufacturing strippers that are safe to work with and are Green Certified.
Fred Hueston is the founder of The National Training Center for Stone and Masonry Trades and Stone University. http://www.stoneuniversity.org/
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