Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have recently built a enclosure for my hermans tortoises, i coated the wooden surfaces with outdoor semigloss varathane
(polyurethane) - ( 4 coats ) . I waited the directed time between coats , but there is still some offgassing after a week and a half , how long do i have to wait before i put the tortoises in ? Furthermore is there any research into the possible toxicity of polyurethane products in reptile. I do know that isocyanides are used in the synthesis of polyurethanes and that isocyanides are known carcinogens. ( i found this out today). So i guess im asking if it is safe to put my tortoises in at all, and if so , when ?

***how long do i have to wait before i put the tortoises in?

Until there is no trace of an odor, IMO. I put a glass (made of real glass, not plastic) upside down on one of the surfaces. Then every few days I pick up the glass an take a very small sniff (don't want to get loopy off of the fumes, LOL).

This is a better way to detect offgassing, IMO.

How long this process will take depends on more factors than i care to list. I can be several weeks if the coats were put on too thick.

***Furthermore is there any research into the possible toxicity of polyurethane products in reptile?

No.

***i coated the wooden surfaces with outdoor semigloss varathane (polyurethane) - ( 4 coats )

I try to avoid exterior products most of the time. They often have UV stabilizers and solids that are designed to stay semi-flexible over time. I just don't trust these. In fact these solids often are what cause the offgassing to take so long.