Look for environmentally friendly wood stains without odor. If you work in an area where organic solvents are rife, ensure the areas well ventilated or wear a mouth and nose covering. Avoid eating and drinking while working with the products. Therefore, it would be best to avoid painting while pregnant or looking to conceive soon. If you are exposed to a toxic product while you are pregnant, dont panic. Exposure during pregnancy to glycol ethers and chlorinated solvents and the risk of congenital malformations. We are surrounded by chemicals and toxins (poisons). Navigating your way through the guidebooks of parenting and how best to prepare you fetus for entering this world as a healthy baby well, its a tricky thing to do to say the least. Also, the formula is not toxic after it cures. Petroleum-derived solvents are damaging, including the extraction of petroleum, shipping, and manufacturing into chemicals and solvents, requiring a large amount of energy. In addition, be aware of basic first aid steps as accidents happen. Dont use mothballs around children under 3 years and make sure theyre stored safely. Chemicals used to make household furniture less flammable have been linked to learning disabilities in children. Also, you can get wood stain poisoning if you inhale solvents in the formula or chemical vapors or if you spray your eye. While painting, and as the paint is drying, some people may experience symptoms such as headaches, eye watering, dizziness and breathing problems. You can experience difficulty concentrating even for short durations. Young children put everything in their mouths, including household poisons, chemicals and medicines. took 1 hour, all windows open, masked with gloves. This way, youll avoid unpleasant surprises. But animal studies have shown that DDT can be harmful; embryos failing to attach to the uterus lining, high mortality rate if the babys born, etc. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'cutthewood_com-leader-1','ezslot_6',632,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-cutthewood_com-leader-1-0'); Baking soda is usually used to absorb smells or odors in refrigerators, while activated charcoal is usually used in air filtration, absorbing odors quickly. These fumes can certainly trigger conditions like asthma. Occupational and Environmental Medicine 69: 493-499. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22447643/ [Accessed October 2021]. Leave these containers in the room for several hours for the smell to absorbed. Some pesticides (bug killers) and herbicides (weed killers) are known to affect developing and newborn babies. Also, avoid coming into contact any foam inside the furniture. Don't have a pilot light going near where you are staining, and avoid smoking while nearby. Allow me to add that these ingredients are essential in helping the stains perform their role. Wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water. Mercury poisoning can damage you, although your bodys better equipped to cope with it. So, here are some best practices to adopt and reduce your risk. Epidemiology 23(6): 806-812. https://journals.lww.com/epidem/Fulltext/2012/11000/Exposure_During_Pregnancy_to_Glycol_Ethers_and.8.aspx [Accessed October 2021], Desrosiers TA, et al. Joining MDF Boards In 5 Easy Steps, How to Use Mineral Spirit On Wood- 5 Ways to Safely Use Mineral Spirit. However, they also include toxic chemicals that pose harm to human health. Well, its not so ideal in its powdered form. Hence, youll experience rapid low blood pressure or shock, resulting in an unexpected collapse. Stain Fumes Can Lead to Allergic Reactions, Strongest Wood Joint Types and Uses- 13 Quality Wood Joint Types, Does Wood Glue Work On MDF? The products have low odor and fewer VOCs. But its a good idea to avoid them as much as possible while you are pregnant. They are doing a 2nd coat of stain. Also, wait for the finish to dry well before getting or staying in the room. Unfortunately, the above is not the only health effect of stain fumes. In addition, the stain is only dangerous during the application and drying process. So Im kind of freaking out! Please whitelist our site to get all the best deals and offers from our partners. Some of the most asked questions on the subject include: Oil-based wood stains have compounds such as alcohol formaldehyde, glycol ether, petroleum, and sodium hydroxide. Simply the Worlds Most Interesting Travel Site. Even more, it may not click how the fumes may affect a third party who does not come into contact with the stain can. Aside from the dust and fumes, refinishing your hardwood BEFORE the baby is born is a bad idea, IMO. Breathing paint fumes isn't great for anyone, let alone pregnant women. It would be best not to ignore the few toxins in water-based products. While there are differing opinions, it's generally deemed risky to paint while pregnant and not worth the. she is now very upset after reading cautions and searching google. It is unlikely that a brief low dose exposure to paint fumes will cause any of the conditions that may be associated with occupational exposure throughout pregnancy. Wood stains generally have solvents, pigments, and binders. Learn more about, Twins & Multiples: Your Tentative Time Table, Husband painting basement- strong fumes upstairs, December 21, 2022 | by blessedwith1boy1girl. Theyre used to coat pharmaceutical pills, used as lubricants, and theyre also used in items such as packing materials and childrens toys. The place was well ventilated and their products are all low VOC but by the end the smell was really bothering me and I was starting to freak out! Irritation of the eyes and throat. He founded this website to help other woodworkers, whether hobbyists or professionals by sharing his knowledge and experiencie after a decade of woodworking. Its highly unlikely youre going to be exposed to any toluene in your home or place of work if you work in an office environment that it. Wash your hands well when you are finished, and promptly discard any brushes or cloths soaked in solvent outside of your home. Exposure can lead to lead poisoning which can have severe implications on human health. They include pesticides in the garden, flame retardants on furniture, lead, mercury and some cleaning products. Now is the perfect time to start your Baby Registry! Mothballs contain the chemical naphthalene, which has been known to give people headaches, nausea, dizziness and vomiting. Therefore, you may feel dizzy or lightheaded. When bleach is applied to the surface area, it takes 10-60 minutes to disinfect the area, and while it is sitting on the surface, it will fume and spread in the air indoors. So, lets decipher other stain fumes effects. The smell of wood stain will persist as it dries or cures. Learn how to safely store and dispose of household chemicals, and how to respond when a person is poisoned. Turn the fans and purifier off if the odor has faded diminished. Other immediate symptoms include throat and lung irritation . Outdoor wood is often treated with copper, chromium or arsenic to protect it from dry rot, fungi, mould and termites. Whilst your fetus is in the womb, its going through the most dangerous period of its life its where its at its most vulnerable. . Breathing issues. That's the latest advice from experts to Australians who have an attached adult tick. Some symptoms of this occurrence include memory loss and confusion. The way it exerts its effects is by effecting neuro developmental processes. Long-term exposure, even at low doses could have health implications which could be long-lasting. It is only reasonable to keep your eyes wide open, and thus the fumes get into the body system through them. Many symptoms of being exposed to polyurethane mimic allergies. Its used in the construction industry but its mainly used in the manufacturing of lead-acid storage batteries. You could also purge the house at intervals by doing this for 1-2+ hours or so at a time 1+ time a day until you are satisfied with the fume level. You may not interact one-on-one with the toxic formula in the can. Like pp said, turn on a fan, open the windows get some fresh air. However, the risk of this occurring is very small, especially if you've just been doing a small amount of varnishing. Unfortunately, stain fumes persist for a long, long duration, and youll end up inhaling the fumes. Surprisingly, instantly brewed coffee at three to four times normal strength delivers a perfect wood stain. As we discussed earlier, VOCs in the paint are responsible for the noxious odor fumes from the paint. Urethane and acrylic stains contain the greatest amounts of petroleum-based solvents. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Poisonous gases are released and it's a carcinogen too - capable of causing cancer. Phthalates are used in a variety of different products. Wood stains have dissolved chemicals that make them emit strong and toxic fumes. Women who have repeated and prolonged exposure to paint fumes during pregnancy may have a higher risk of giving birth to a baby with birth defects. Most chemicals you come across in your daily life wont harm your baby. Again, I left from when they started until about 5 PM. Have her stay out of the house while the stain dries and Of people will have some first trimester bleeding or spotting. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing. Can you be around polyurethane while pregnant? Phthalates have been linked to asthma, certain types of cancers, diabetes, fertility issues, cognitive issues and a host of other problems. Attarchi MS, et al. If you come into contact with a lot of the chemicals if, for example, you work at a dry cleaners you may be at a slightly increased risk of miscarriage. Babies often rub their eyes when they are tired. May 2, 2022. I painted a baby rocking chair, primed baby's room and kitchen, all with the so-called 'unsafe' paint (not the non-VOC). Terms of Service apply. Although polyurethane gives natural wood floors a beautiful, long-lasting sheen, it is also a toxic chemical and should be used with caution. My DH is staining our cabinets in the other room right now we are both going to be fine. Just limit the amount you eat one to two portions a week, max. Spray painting poses a danger for a couple of reasons: particles can be easily inhaled, and the chemical odor is quite strong. You can protect yourself and your baby by not putting food on arsenic-treated timber and washing your (and your childs) hands after they play on it. Therefore it would be best to beware of: The best way to get rid of these fumes is to avoid stinky stains. As the wood stain dries, the solvents evaporate, releasing volatile organic compounds or VOCs, contributing to air pollution and causing health problems. In addition, your wood may end up looking completely different. If you have an air purifier, turn it on. Is It Safe To Varnish Wood While Pregnant? According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, over one million pounds of BPA are released into the environment every year. Hence, please keep it away from ignition sources. But of course, some are still in commerce and pretty much everyones home or office has PBDEs. If you can go elsewhere, I would. I am thinking of just getting a hotel and not coming back until late (like 10 PM on Wedneday evening). Im going to discuss the potentially harmful effects of lead in this article, in addition to a number of other materials and chemical elements, which, if youre pregnant, you should steer clear from. Tyron is an avid woodworker and writer. Don't ditch the mask Image from iStock Furthermore, spray paint is full of harmful VOCs that are released as the paint dries. Make it a policy to paint in well-ventilated areas. The Dangers of Paint Fumes and Pregnancy. As we can see, wood stain poisoning is quite dangerous. Thankfully its preventable simply by limiting the use of lead products in the house and treatable using chelation therapy. Yes, off-gassing has effects, especially when you place furniture with toxic stains in a small, poorly ventilated environment. . Application with brush, spray can. All mosquito repellents in Australia have been tested and are safe to use. I left the house during the times that they applied each coating, but returned later that night when it was drying. The fumes weren't so bad, but I could still smell them a little. In my situation, we didn't get a hotel room because we could successfully block off the area that we sanded and stained. Also, the fumes may alter the nervous system and lead to brain damage. These fumes can certainly trigger conditions like asthma. Staining wood is a method practiced for hundreds of years. we hired someone to refinish the upstairs floors in our house. Paint containing lead was used in many Australian houses before 1970, so avoid stripping old paint while youre pregnant. Therefore, they become a gate for the toxic fumes in your body. That sent a red flag in the air for me. Wood stain is toxic during the application and drying processes, but is non-toxic after curing for 30 days. -decided on low VOC water based poly to minimize fumes/environmental impact -hung two sets of plastic sheeting-one at the bottom of the stairs, one at the top--made sure they were sealed well -taped garbage bags to the floor over the upstairs door thresholds and kept wet towels on both sides to keep fumes at bay. Phthalates are all around us and can get into the body via ingestion, absorption and inhalation, but thankfully the U.S. have now started to ban the use of phthalates in certain products. The fumes will automatically be absorbed into the bloodstream once they get to the lungs or stomach. We have been remodeling the room we are using for her nursery (knocking down walls, dry wall, paint, ect. You can even purchase a respirator to reduce the risk of inhaling the fumes. Most PBDEs are no longer used as a flame retardant, because the dangers of the ethers have been well documented. The term refers to the function the fact theyre added to materials to make them flame retardant. HealthTap uses cookies to enhance your site experience and for analytics and advertising purposes. When left uncured, polyurethane can cause asthma and other breathing problems. Parenting books and manuals often divulge the basic some of the more obvious things, such as dont consume alcohol or smoke, things like, things which I hope are common knowledge. Weighted blankets are they safe for kids or during pregnancy? It can cause kidney and liver damage. Severe stomach and abdominal pain and cramping. Just keep your home properly ventilated until the wood stain cures. Guide in Absorbing Strong Wood Stain Odors, 103 Pallet Bar DIY Plans & Ideas to Inspire You, How to Get Rid of Wood Borers (Step-by-Step Guide), Effective Ways To Prevent Wood Infestation, Watch Out: Signs of Wood-Destroying Insects and How To Eliminate Them. So, you will no longer worry about fumes once the finish cures. Wood stain fumes are harmful to human health, but there are things you can do to prevent risking your health and safety. Elizabeth Millard is a freelance journalist specializing in health and wellness. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies. Some cleaners could also cause chemical burns or rashes if they come in contact with the skin. But take care: Pregnancy is not the time to refinish furniture. However, researchers are yet to confirm these findings further. The fumes are dangerous because wood stains contain dyes, solvents, and binders that are unsafe to breathe. Wood stains have 3 main components including pigment or dye, binders, and solvents. And by the way if you have seen the equipment the guys wear while they lay the finish, they're like super duper ventilator masks so obviously don't be around while they do the finish. They also linger in the atmosphere for days or even months. Check out the following alternatives for your work. Also, please correctly label all poisons in the house and keep them in suitable storage locations. Scientists have studied the effects of such solvents and have discovered that women who are frequently exposed to these solvents, especially during the first trimester, have an increased likelihood of giving birth to a baby with a severe birth defect. Paint/wood stain fumes. Dyes can penetrate the wood and pigments sit on top of the wood like paints. But if pregnant, these effects could be severe and cause major developmental defects in the fetus; not just as a result of high levels of exposure at low levels too. With that in mind, here are four dangers of exposure to polyurethane fumes. Little late here on the response, but my family owns a hardwood floor company and we just had our bedrooms done in our condo (in the winter) so we couldn'topen windows toventilate the area. Click to visit. Thanks to our society (except some Jewish cultures); let's face it women do it all of the time getting that "picture perfect" nursery together. Thus, you cannot avoid breathing in and out during the staining job. In addition, the effects do not have to be overt as you may experience headaches, skin and eye irritations, or allergic reactions. Prolonged exposure to wood stain fumes can also cause more serious health issues, such as kidney damage and cancer. Check out these two product types in detail. Continue the ventilate your work area for several days as the furniture dries and the solvents release most of their fumes. Cadmium is also resistant to corrosion, wont dissolve or corrode in water, and its not flammable the ideal metal, right? Simply place the activated charcoal in a bowl or container and place it in the room where the smell is present. we took my cat to my brother's place for 3 days because she's very nosy and would have pranced into the rooms and probably gotten sick. Keep Flames Away. Pregnant daughter stained her stairs. Healthdirect Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing Apply . But if you have used bleach to clean bathrooms or other surfaces at home, you will likely smell bleach. Jan 29, 2022 at 7:53 PM. One compounding problem is that VOCs and ozone can become concentrated in . But scientists have discovered that PBDEs could potentially cause developmental neurotoxicity in pregnant woman and it could affect the fetal development of the brain, and the brains of young kids too. We will not be putting the finish on until it's warm enough to open the windows. Please check and try again, Recipient's email is invalid. Im in the same situation and worried. Theyve also been used as coolants, adhesives in addition to many more applications. If you have a task that involves chemicals (such as some types of cleaning), ask someone else to do it. Therefore, it's important to use wood stains in a well-ventilated space. This is a no-go during pregnancy, especially early on. But as they say, prevention is way better than cure. If you start to feel nauseous or dizzy at any point, leave the area immediately. If your work involves exposure to chemicals, talk to your employer. If you have a particular medical problem, please consult a healthcare professional. Jump in the fray! So my husband is remodeling our basement and painting walls and using wood stain. Theyre basically chemicals which have been dissolved in other substances. But the amount of mercury thats naturally occurring in the environment is considered safe: its a safe, natural level of exposure that is unless something occurs which raises environmental mercury levels, such as a volcano, which are actually responsible for half of the worlds atmospheric mercury emissions. To avoid inhaling dust particles, wear a mask preferably an N95 or KN95 while sanding the furniture. Left at 5:45 AM to go to gym to shower and then to go to work, so was not there for that long--maybe 7 hours (again after it was pretty muchdried before I got home). I would stay there for the staining (can you ventilate the rooms by cracking a window and shutting the doors upstairs?) Your email address will not be published. breathing in wood stain fumes while pregnant Author: Published on: fargo school boundary changes June 8, 2022 Published in: jeffrey donovan dancing with the stars 15 Materials That Are Super Dangerous For Pregnant Women, How Pregnancy Cause Long Lasting Changes In A Woman's Brain, 10 Delicious Mocktail Recipes for Fall Festivities. I have read lots of sites, etc about paints, stains, etc and most say hire someone else, don't be there, but it is not very clear about how long you have to stay away. There are also PBDEs in the environment. Your baby can also be exposed to chemicals after they are born through your breastmilk or if they put their fingers in their mouth. As with paint, it is not known as to the exact effects that the chemicals in varnish will have on a pregnant woman or her unborn baby. plus they are fun. Therefore, the formula is safer to use even for long working sessions. adapted, stored and/or distributed in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Healthdirect 9. You can begin the safety journey by always adhering to the usage instructions associated with any household products. But it would be best to consider it for your safety. Seek fresh air immediately and call poison control. Ventilation is a key issue in oil-based stains as it reduces the vapors concentration in the air. Worst possible scenario, it could cause the death of your fetus. Adequate ventilation is important. This helps you breathe fresh air and lower the risk of inhaling fumes while pregnant. Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. Heres another tongue twister and yes, it is spelt right. Prolonged exposure to these toxic fumes could result in brain damage or even death. Lead-based paint was commonly used prior to the 1970s, so pregnant women should avoid removing old paint because of the risk of lead exposure. Why not go out for some fresh air? The chemical bisphenol A (BPA) is found in most plastics, and can pass from a mother to her baby in the womb. The risk of harm to your baby may be slightly greater from solvent-based paints and old paintwork, which may contain traces of lead. Can paint fumes affect my unborn baby? Open all doors and windows in order to cross-ventilate fresh air in and keep the smelly air out. The Safety Data Sheet of major stain brands shows that, unlike traditional products, water based-stains do not have hazardous substances. Today I left for work before they got there. Burning and associated paint in the food pipe, throat, and mouth. But watching what you do during pregnancy is not always enough. Thats why kids are at greater risk, because they love playing with all sorts of things and putting anything and everything in their mouths. It's best to limit your exposure to paint and paint fumes while you're pregnant. If pregnant, these chemical plasticizers could cause a number of issues, and theyre even linked to pregnancy loss. In addition, you will still suffer some discomfort after ingestion. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'cutthewood_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_8',615,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-cutthewood_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); https://homeguides.sfgate.com/rid-strong-wood-stain-smells-37030.htmlhttp://www.ecospaints.net/blog/2015/07/why-you-should-use-non-toxic-wood-stain/, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AN7Oo-VfHAw. As a result of PCB exposure, an individual might suffer from a skin condition, and have lower levels of the hormone, triiodothyronine, which pretty much has a part to play in every physiological process. Of course, oil-based formulas have more harmful solvents. Also, please follow the direction of the grain to get a more sophisticated result. Inhale these toxic fumes while pregnant and it can get into your blood stream and directly affect the fetus. If so , how many weeks are u? The exhaust fan should be turned on exhaust if the smell originates from a bathroom or kitchen. I'm not worried. Now-- I am nervous that might have been a mistake, but nothing I can do now. Need to talk? Getting the Best Out of Your Ash Furniture 2023. But too much exposure/ingestion of fluoride could be toxic. Strong stain fumes may cause throat swelling, which blocks the airways. So why have they recently gotten a bad rap? a. . You're fine and so is baby. Wood stain can give wood depth, enhanced color, tone, and grain appearance. Again, I left from when they started until about 5 PM. Wearing gloves would be beneficial. Read product labels before you select a product, especially for indoor stains. Exposure can occur due to a number of means, including inhalation of lead from contaminated air, water, food, or direct exposure. Some public water supplies use fluoride in drinking water in a process called fluoridation and its naturally found in a lot of the foods we eat. they sanded on Saturday (I left during the sanding, so was not there as I had heard that it could have lead). Breathing in high levels of VOCs can cause a number of short-term health problems, from headaches and dizziness to a runny nose and itchy eyes. So, the effects may be severe in some and mild in others. My OB told me to stop worrying and start enjoying my life, I'm trying to take her advice. These solvents might be in the old finish you sand off or the new stain, polyurethane, or paint that you apply. Its safe to have your clothes dry cleaned when youre pregnant. In addition, off-gassing can last a long duration even after the shine from the stain fades. Long-term exposure is what should cause alarm. Wood stain is toxic during the application and drying processes, but is non-toxic after curing for 30 days. Don't freak, you are fine. Look for products that don't contain solvents (such as toluene) and that will clean up with water. I began using a budget friendly air filtration system in my shop and have seen excellent results. Flame retardants do what they say they do; theyre used to reduce the potential devastation caused by fires. I have done many, many projects while pregnant. Please select a reason for escalating this post to the WTE moderators: Connect with our community members by starting a discussion. It is also worth noting that the wood stain is very flammable when in liquid form. In addition, researchers also suggest that exposure to fumes from oil-based stains before conception is also hazardous. I left right away. Fortunately, it is easy to apply as all you need to do is dip a rag in the wine and rub the wood.