Industrial floor coatings are designed for use in settings where large and heavy equipment is used. Therefore, the coatings are most commonly used in two settings: residential garages and parking for cars and trucks and industries with large and heavy machinery. It is therefor important that the coating used is level, impact resistant and durable. This ensures that the floors are protected against wear and tear, loose chemicals, and mechanical abrasion. Besides protecting the floor against cracks and general weakening, industrial floor coatings also ensure that all pores are covered and therefore its not easy for ground water to seep through.

By using industrial floor coatings, cleaning of grime and dirt becomes quite easy with just soap and water without having to use industrial cleaners that are toxic in most cases. However, it is vital that you don’t settle for any type of coating since many coatings contain substances like isocyanates which are create toxic polyurethane. The best part is that not all coatings contain toxins. This means that isocyanates were not used at any stage during the manufacturing process of such coatings. Such coatings contain hybrid polyurethane which is not only safer but also cheaper than most toxic coatings.

Exposure to isocyanates occurs when they are evaporated in the plastic making process and accompanying vapor and mist can be released during a variety of activities.

The most common activities that may cause exposure include:

Spraying foams and paints that contain isocyanates

Heating of plastics that contain polyurethane

Using the hot wire methods to cut polyurethane foams

In the manufacturing process of urethane forms

Rolling and hand painting isocyanate coatings

Health effects caused by exposure to toxic polyurethane can cause irritation to the skin, eyes and respiratory system. Even exposure to small amounts of this toxic substance can cause serious health effects such as asthma. Short-term exposure causes irritation, dermatitis and burns to the throat, eyes and nose.

Approximately one in every twenty workers exposed to isocyanates become sensitized which is permanent and even deaths from asthma have been reported as well. Sensitization is quite dangerous since such workers develop severe reactions when exposed to isocyanates.

Symptoms of exposure to isocyanates:

Chest tightness

Running nose

Sore eyes

Sore throat

Coughing

Wheezing (may develop to asthma)

Nausea, Headaches

Drowsiness

Vomiting

Overexposure, which in most cases means direct contact, may lead to:

Conjunctivitis (the lining of eyelids and part of the eyeball become irritated)

Damage to the eye tissue

Blistering

Rashes

Lung problems

Sensitization of the whole body

Isocyanates have a musty, fruity or pungent odor. However, you shouldn’t use odor to identify its hazardous concentrations. If you are able to smell it, then the concentration is above the permissible levels. It is not possible to detect over-exposure to isocyanates using your sense of smell since by the time you realize it will be too late.

Accompanying fumes are also very dangerous, especially to asthma patients, elderly people and children. It goes without saying that they are extremely dangerous to unborn children and pregnant mothers. It is therefore vital that you read and research the contents of the coating you intend to use. It is highly recommended to research alternative methods without toxic substances before adding unnecessary risk to your job.