AIBU to be worried about the seriously stinky mortar used to set my paving stones?

[PondLife]

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Really interesting question.

When I was 5 months pregnant the builders came and put down an absolutely hideously stinking screed in my front room. I had vile headaches and felt nauseous and in the end went and stayed with a friend. I was worried sick about the baby. That was probably worse than yours because it was inside rather than outside. The smell did go after about four or five days though- I guess it will be even quicker for you as in your garden. I suppose we have to assume that this stuff is used in households and gardens up and down the land and that if it were poisonous someone would have noticed by now.

Put it this way, I spent a lot of time worried and it seems to have been unnecessary. Your chemical soup is at least in the open air and soon I doubt you will be able to smell anything.

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The smell will go when the mortar sets.

It will be perfectly safe otherwise it wouldn't be legal to use the stuff.

I shall tell you the meaning of the symbols

Hazardous chemicals are classified according to their dangerous properies, i.e. flammable, toxic, corrosive, irritant.

Xi - substance is an irritant
Xn - substance is harmful
N - I think it means dangerous substance but can't remember!

The R codes are risk phrases which expand on the above classifications.
R43 - May cause sensitisation by skin contact
R10 - Flammable
R51/53 - Toxic to aquatic organism, may cause long term effects to the aquatic environment.
R65 - Repeated exposure may cause skin dryness or cracking.
R66 - Repeated exposure may cause skin dryness or cracking.
R67 - Vapours may cause drowsiness and dizziness.

This will apply the the substance before it is used, i.e. in its liquid state. Once dry I would imagine most of the risks would be eliminated.
Can you prevent your littlies going into the back garden until the grout has completely dried out? The smell should dissipate soon I would have thought. Once the smell goes it'll be safe.

Oh and no I don't think yabu to be worried! But I think you'll find most grouts will have a similar composition.

aaaah pondlife, you're too kind

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What is the weather like where you are?

Not really the best time of year to be laying mortar unfortunately as it really does need dry conditions to 'go off' properly. Don't know about near you, but where I am we haven't had a truly 'dry' day for decades weeks.

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Checked with DH, he says it will dry once the conditions allow.

If you do lose too much of it in the meantime, because of it coming off on shoes etc, you may have to refill over the top at a later date.

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