Letter 14033

Crystal varathane purported to be carcinogenic  

Greetings,

I have been informed by a contractor here in Montreal Quebec who is a member of our Church, that there is a recommendation of not using Crystal floor finish for wood floors as this according to him is a carcinogenic and should not be used.

This information is important to me as I am the chairman of the Board of Managers for Knox Kensington Crescent Presbyterian Church in Montreal.

We have recently finished a hall and apparently the flooring Contractor used Crystal Varathane finish. What impact does this have on the use of the Hall. And does anyone actually have factual information that Crystal Varathane is Carcinogenic?

Any response would be greatly appreciated.

Michael McGregor
- Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Some of the solvents and volatile components of the uncured material, and some of the volatile substances produced during curing, can be rather nasty. That is a common enough situation with organic resins, adhesives, coatings, etc. But once the material has been applied, and the curing is completed (that is, the floor coating has hardened so that you can walk on it) then it is for all practical purposes an inert substance.

Basically, before mixing and curing (while you can smell it) you'd prefer to avoid it, but once it's cured (when it no longer has a smell) then it's totally safe.

Bill Reynolds    consultant metallurgist Ballarat, Victoria, Australia

Anybody know approximately how long until Varathone floor cover is cured with decent ventilation and in decent weather (20 degrees clecius)? They just did my son's nursery... how long to keep him out?

Steffan Apel
- Montreal, Quebec, Canada

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