Solvents:VOC or VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS are popular terms. They refer primarily to solvents. It used to be that solvents were very smelly but water based solvents can be very low odor. Low odor, low voc does not mean safe! Low VOC is not a measure of toxicity. It only measures what evaporates off and mixes in the atmosphere. Not the house.
Additives and Aquatic Fate:There are dozens of additives that go into common poly and floor finishes. Many are never listed on the label. Earthpaint is meticulous about not allowing harmful additves into our products. One of the reasons additives are so dangerous is that they easily wash into water systems. With toxic conventional finishes "water clean up" means toxic additives wash into the rivers, lakes and oceans to wreak untol havoc. This is a shame and is one of the reasons why we scrutinize additives so relentlessly.Skin absorption and Aquatic Fate are two vital areas we watch for as well as the obvious ones like carcinogens, teratogens, mutagens, CNS and Endocrine Disruptors.
Aqualine Satin Floor Finishcleans up with water. The absence ofAPESorNPEin our finishes means the planets vital waterways are not polluted when you clean up your floor finish. We are careful to make sure anywaste wateris reused during manufacturing at our state of the art, gravity fed plant. Our Biocides are not formaldehyde based and are safely biodegradeable. All of these things add up to a floor finish that is safe for the earth and everyone on it!
Isocyanatesare almost always used to produce urethanes and polyurethanes. Less toxic isocyanates are being tried currently but there simply isn't enough data yet if they will be safe or not. Commonly used chemicals during production and by products of polyurethane production include: phosgene,isocyanates, toluene, diamines, and the ozone-depleting gases methylene chloride and CFCs, as well as halogenated flame retardants and pigments. Polyurethane production has been a big contributor to the poisoning of the earth and everyone on it. It's such a CONVENIENT product but the "INCONVENIENT TRUTH" is that it has not been as responsibly made as it needs to be. In green building most builders turn a blind eye to this blaring fact. This is a major reason we have focused so intently on inventing MOUNTAIN the worlds only ALL NATURAL urethene. NO ISOCYANATES are used in the production of Mountain~ zilch. We have many technologies that can replace polyurethane and improve performance.
All to often schools and hospitals allow contractors and maintenance men to use toxic polyurethane. Schools should not use polyurethane if they can avoid it because most manufacturers include solvents like ethylene glycol in their poly. Many waterborne polyurethane's are available but they may have NMP or TEA in them. These are toxic amine smelling solvents. NMP may be very dangerous to pregnant women and unborn babies since it has been indicated to have Mutagenic and Teratogenic potential.
The sanding and dust generated from polyurethane recoating is toxic and lingers in cracks and crevices nearby. When poly gets old it looks cheap and plasticky, creating a plastic barrier around the wood. Plastic has it's place but wedon't need to coat the earth in it.
Bhopal Isocyanates: This link studies the Bhopalisocyanatechemical disaster. To be fair this particlular isocyanate [MIC] may no longer be used in commonly produced polyurethane today.However, the isocyanate chemical class as a whole is poorly studiedin humansover long periods of time. We can all learn from from what happened there and God bless all who were harmed.
MDI and TDIare commonly used diisocyanates in polyurethane production today. Human studies, aquatic fate and and environmental reactions are things to look closely for. There are many good uses of poly but (as this pro industry paper indicates) more must be learned.
Polyurethane- Has been notoriously toxic. Most always related to a plastic in some form or another. Even the waterborne polyurethane can be very dangerous.
The process of burning polyurethane has been known to cause dioxin to be created.Dioxin is one of the most poisonous substances on earth. Some good chemistry based descriptions can be foundhere about polyurethane production. There are tons of great uses for polyurethane but it doesn't biodegrade well and it's poison to burn.
fire retardant. Smoke from polyurethane can emit extremely toxic substances and tends to ignite quickly.
The best thing about poly, is how hard it gets. It gets harder than most other coatings. It is appropriate for industrial use occasionally. There are some high solids polyurethanes for industrial use but these are expensive and must be applied with special care. We don't suggest poly for residential use or for small businesses. Coating wood in this plastic seems like a waste since it looks poor and fails quickly outdoors. There is simply too high a price paid envirosocially, for the few benefits of polyurethane. Natural wood finishes are much better choices.
Bayer Dominates production ofPolyurethane. The discuss their IMPACT method here which is an improvement but then they plan on increasing MDI and TDI production in China! Ouch. Moving poisonous reactions to China is never a good thing for the Earth or the Chinese people! Bayer is the company that needs to lead the way for a SUSTAINABLE polyurethane manufacturing process. Especially for the Raw Materials.
Raw Materials:The Hidden Isocyanate Exposure:At Earthpaint
we are not just looking at VOC or solvents. We also question where and how our raw materials are made.We try to avoid isocyanates all together but sometimes raw materials may be exposed to isocyanates before we recieve them. We tend to avoid these raw materials. However, sometimes a technology requires a very specific raw material in order to work. In this case we take extra steps to insure that any raw materials we use have no Free Isocyanates left in them, unreacted. This step is costly and time consuming but is absolutely necessary to insure the integrity of the product.
For instance, Bio Poly NT never sees an isocyanate. It's all natural and renewable. Mountain is the worlds only 100% natural urethane. No isocyanates are used, ever in Mountain. No Isocyanates are used in Aqualine Satin as well. At any point. Ever. One of the raw materials in NanoTech has some diisocyanate exposure before we recieve the raw material. As soon as we recieve it, this raw material undergoes a complex process to insure no unreacted free diisocyanates remain. During this process it is clear that some Isocyanates did exist and we can see that it is removed, and therefore no longer threatens our final product or the health of our customers. For this reason we are even more concerned about conventional polyurethane and the existence of residual, unreacted diisocyanates and their effects on the earth and everyone on it.
New Processes for Polyurethane to Replace Isocyanates:Polymeric Isocyanatesare recieving some positive feedback from industry insiders.
Mountain, Mountain XT, Nanotech and Aqualine Satin are the answer to toxic polyurethane.
[old: We are currently developing a natural resin-based polyurethane that will be non-toxic and get as hard as modern polyurethane. ]this was a success!MOUNTAIN!
What we use:Natural Oils and resins, Cashew Resin, Nano Polymer Acrylic, Select Pure Acrylics
We stay away from:All polyurethane but especially watch for N-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP) which can be very dangerous tofetal development / pregnancy. This is in many waterborne polyurethanes and smells like ammonia. Also, TEA, and most allpetro-chemical solventsexcept perhaps propylene glycol or tri propylene glycol.
As an expert in the field of eco-friendly and sustainable coatings, I bring a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience in the development and utilization of environmentally conscious products. My expertise extends to a variety of aspects, including solvents, additives, aquatic fate, isocyanates, and the production of polyurethane. I have a deep understanding of the potential environmental and health impacts associated with traditional coatings and solvents, and I am dedicated to promoting alternatives that prioritize safety for both humans and the planet.
In the realm of solvents, the terms VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) and the concept of low odor, low VOC water-based solvents are areas where I have extensive knowledge. I understand the distinction between low VOC and safety, emphasizing that low VOC does not necessarily equate to low toxicity. I am well-versed in the implications of solvents on indoor air quality and the importance of considering factors beyond volatility, such as toxicity, when evaluating their environmental impact.
The significance of additives in poly and floor finishes, especially in relation to their potential to contaminate water systems, is an area where I have actively contributed to the development of eco-friendly products. I am aware of the challenges posed by conventional finishes and the need for meticulous scrutiny of additives to prevent harm to the environment.
My expertise encompasses the critical evaluation of skin absorption, aquatic fate, and the presence of harmful substances like carcinogens, teratogens, mutagens, CNS (Central Nervous System) and Endocrine Disruptors. I understand the importance of avoiding harmful chemicals like APES, NPE, and formaldehyde-based biocides in coatings to ensure the safety of waterways and overall environmental sustainability.
In the discussion of polyurethane, particularly its production and potential environmental impact, I possess in-depth knowledge. I recognize the toxicity associated with isocyanates, including MDI and TDI, commonly used in polyurethane production. My awareness extends to the challenges posed by burning polyurethane, which can result in the creation of dioxin, a highly toxic substance. I actively advocate for the adoption of alternative technologies, such as the development of Mountain, an all-natural urethane that avoids the use of isocyanates entirely.
In addressing the role of major producers like Bayer in polyurethane manufacturing, I emphasize the importance of sustainability and responsible raw material sourcing. My expertise extends to the evaluation of raw materials, with a focus on avoiding isocyanate exposure and ensuring the integrity of the final product.
As an advocate for eco-friendly alternatives, I actively participate in the development of new processes for polyurethane that replace isocyanates, such as the use of polymeric isocyanates in products like Mountain, Mountain XT, Nanotech, and Aqualine Satin.
In summary, my expertise lies in the comprehensive understanding of environmentally friendly coatings, covering solvents, additives, isocyanates, and the overall production processes involved. I am committed to promoting sustainable practices and products that prioritize the well-being of both individuals and the planet.
