There S Mercury In Urethane Floors

Due to recent attention on mercury containing flooring the university was concerned that the synthetic floor in the gym may contain mercury.

There s mercury in urethane floors. Us epa reports that certain polyurethane flooring materials installed between 1962 and today contain mercury. 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. Pma breaks down and releases odorless colorless mercury vapor. Urethane flooring may also utilize rapidly renewable agro based materials as well as recycled materials within their formulation.

The bioavailability of any mercury from polyurethane floorings in the non vapor form is not known. Athletic flooring installed between 1960 and 1980 often contains mercury that may pose a health risk during renovation activities. Mercury flooring removal in a gym slated for renovation. The floors and items that have been in contact with.

This is an important issue because pcbs have been identified as probable. Disposal in minnesota. Farbin these materials were used to create gum rubbers rigid foam and elastomers. A university planned to renovate their gym where the flooring was comprised of hardwood on top of an older synthetic rubber floor.

Because of previous practices mercury contamination can be found in some soils and demolition debris in minnesota. Before undertaking athletic facility updates it s important for facility managers to understand the history risks and responsibilities related to mercury in gym floors. History of mercury in gym floors. Mercury catalyzed polyurethane flooring and mercury contaminated demolition debris and soil.

Mercury is an element that can cause harmful environmental and health effects when disposed of improperly. The mercury floor problem and health effects. A polyurethane coating or urethane floor coating is a highly flexible highly abrasion resistant floor coating that is known for its shine and longevity. Wesley newhouse newhouse prophater kolman hogan llc tel.

Developed in 1937 by i g. 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. 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. 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.

Mercuric salts are reported to have been used as catalysts in the production of.