Some years ago I worked part-time at a gym and was stripping a cement floor. When the usual red liquid (Square-One) was gone, I grabbed a can of no-name stripper to finish up the job. Earlier, my boss had told me it was a "free sample" to try, and if I liked it better, he'd get more of it. Well, right away I noticed that it was not the same stuff. This stuff was thick (like rubber cement). It did a GREAT job, but when I went to clean the mop in the sink with hot water, I could see fumes flowing out of the sink. They were heavier than air, and began flowing around the floor. I could tell where it was as it was distorting the view through it. It was then that I also noticed my legs were burning, and I became quite sick... headache, nausea, dizzy. There was no label on the can. After several hours, I recovered, and never tried using that stuff again.

QUESTION. Based on what I've described, can anyone out there tell me WHAT this stuff may have been that I ran into? It was obviously not compatible with water, but what kind of floor stripper can't get wet?? I'm wondering about the possible long-term affects I may have set myself up for.

Thanks.

Hi, weatherguy!

I'm not sure about the long-term effects. If you have any for any length of time, then I would go to see a doctor.

I've certainly stripped my share of floors as a custodian and also stripping furniture as a furniture refinisher.

I've gotten sick many times when I've used chemicals without taking the proper precautions such as using a respirator and gloves.

The worst experience that I had was when I was selling photography products in the gymnasium of a school a few years ago. They had just refinished the floor. You could really smell it! I didn't feel very good on any of the days that I was there and could hear my heartbeat in my ears for a number of months after that!

I'm still here and got over my symptoms. However, I consider these experiences to be lessons learned that whether there's a label or not and I know that it's some sort of caustic chemical, that I'd better be protecting myself by wearing a ventilator, gloves and goggles if need be, and also having adequate ventilation when being around those sort of things.

I don't think that washing out equipment was so much that problem for you as just not adequately protecting yourself. The equipment needs to be cleaned in order to save money.

Certain caustic liquids can de-fat your tissue and the results of the inhalation of fumes are obvious.

I would just consider this to be a lesson learned and to be much more careful the next time.

Thanks!

When it happened what name was on container, where did boss get it from, did you call that company and get a MSDS on the product

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Clough

Hi, weatherguy!

I'm not sure about the long-term effects. If you have any for any length of time, then I would go to see a doctor.

I've certainly stripped my share of floors as a custodian and also stripping furniture as a furniture refinisher.

I've gotten sick many times when I've used chemicals without taking the proper precautions such as using a respirator and gloves.

The worst experience that I had was when I was selling photography products in the gymnasium of a school a few years ago. They had just refinished the floor. You could really smell it! I didn't feel very good on any of the days that I was there and could hear my heartbeat in my ears for a number of months after that!

I'm still here and got over my symptoms. However, I consider these experiences to be lessons learned that whether there's a label or not and I know that it's some sort of caustic chemical, that I'd better be protecting myself by wearing a ventilator, gloves and goggles if need be, and also having adequate ventilation when being around those sort of things.

I don't think that washing out equipment was so much that problem for you as just not adequately protecting yourself. The equipment needs to be cleaned in order to save money.

Certain caustic liquids can de-fat your tissue and the results of the inhalation of fumes are obvious.

I would just consider this to be a lesson learned and to be much more careful the next time.

Thanks!

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Thanks for the response. Yes, I certainly have considered this event a lessons-learned. I was young and in-experienced at the time... would have responded differently today.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Fr_Chuck

When it happened what name was on container, where did boss get it from, did you call that company and get a MSDS on the product

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Unfortunately, there was no label. It was one of those black, 5-gal, metal cans. At the time I did not know what an MSDS was, and did not have the experience or training to ask the right questions. I would have responded differently today.

Thanks for your positive and proactive responses, weatherguy! :)