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Topic: Is cured Polyurethane toxic?  (Read 6494 times)

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Offline CuriousBonds

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Is cured Polyurethane toxic?
« on: August 28, 2012, 10:22:46 PM »
Is cured urethane toxic?  More specifically 40 shore urethane, or Vytaflex 40 slush in the form of a mask.

I found these forums while searching for an answer online and thought this would be a great place to ask. I apologize if i posted in the wrong section.  I am asking specifically in regards to a theatrical mask that I purchased.  It was cast with 40 shore Vytaflex urethane. 

The reason for my asking is that just after receiving the item, naturally I tried it on.  It did not have nostril holes and I have to put them in myself later, so even though I tried not to breath through my nose I inevitably did so anyway.  The smell of it was very strong, and I ended up getting a headache just after wearing it for about 15-20 min.  Then, even after I had it off, I don't know if I was just being paranoid because of the strong odor, but I felt a warm burning sensation in my chest area.  So I decided to do some research on urethane, but was only able to find information on the toxicity and dangers of urethane in it's uncured state, and working with urethane.  What I gathered is that the gases of uncured urethane are very hazardous to your heath if inhaled and react with the moisture in your lungs and then your lungs cannot expel it and create permanent scar tissue to trap it (Please correct me if I'm wrong).  I also read that even after urethane is cured and in a solid state, it offgases for years to come.  So my question is pertaining to these offgases (if it does in fact continue to give off fumes). Are these offgases or fumes that come off it still dangerous if inhaled?  Obviously I don't want something that is hazardous to my health in the short or long run.


My question is two fold..
1. Is it safe for me to wear on my face and possibly inhale any offgassing fumes still coming off of a urethane mask? 
2. Is it safe to have sitting as a display in my room which I spend my room in which I sleep every night and spend countless hours in daily?

Any and all information you can give me on the matter will be greatly appreciated.  Thank you!

Silly, I know.. but here is the mask in question if you need a visual:
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/uu312/yooho023/IMG_4779small.jpg?t=1346041335
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o181/inkmonkey_bucket/Photo11-09-2774117PM.jpg

Offline Stepan

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Re: Is cured Polyurethane toxic?
« Reply #1 on: August 29, 2012, 08:51:11 AM »
It is safe as long as it cured properly. To clean it, wipe the mask with a rubbing alcohol (try on inner surface first to be sure that alcohol doesn't remove the paint) or Windex. Then wash it with soap. Is smell persists, put the mask outside on the sun. Heat and air will drive volatile compounds away.

Offline CuriousBonds

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Re: Is cured Polyurethane toxic?
« Reply #2 on: August 30, 2012, 03:26:45 AM »
Thank you! I will try that.  :)

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