How dangerous are paints and dust in an outdoor boat yard?

[cruisin123]

Hi all,
I have a question that I've been unable to find a definitive answer to so here goes...

I'm considering putting my boat in a live-aboard slip that is located in a boat yard. I've gone to check it out and I like the area and slip fee rates, however, my only concern is that when walking up from the dock to the parking lot and vice versa, one must walk through an outdoor boat yard.

When walking through the outdoor yard I noticed that there are many boats in various places being painted and sanded, and more often than not if its a busy day at the yard, you actually get a brief whiff of paint smell as you walk past boats that are getting DIY painted by owners or yard crew.

Additionally, the yard crew sweep up the dust periodically with a push broom and I can visually see a small cloud of dust wafting around the guy with the broom.

Is exposure of this degree meaning, walking from the boat to the parking lot through the yard, any reason for concern? I'd really like for someone with some medical/health knowledge on this subject to tell me it's nothing to worry about. However, I know this stuff can be toxic and I definitely don't want to get cancer.

Thanks very much for reading and I appreciate any replies.

[Danm1]

Don't walk through wet paint and don't walk near anyone sanding or spraying and it shouldn't be a problem. Ninety-nine percent of the time those aren't an issue going from a dock to a parking lot or wherever.

[psk125]

People using 2-part polyurethanes are told to use it with positive pressure masks (they supply clean outside air to the sprayer) or with masks that have substantial filters. Breathing it in isn't good for you. Bottom paint is MADE to kill things. Breathing in the dust isn't good for you either. Staying away from people painting or sanding is good advice. Our yard requires tarps under any work so nothing hits the ground and sanders have to have vacuum dust attachements to keep it from being blown around.

[PaulCrawhorn]

Just wear PPE let them think you are a cautious feller

[Franziska]

Unless you are already compromised health wise, just very occasionally walking through a boatyard will not be an issue.

Otherwise everyone in this forum would be highly likely to get cancer from it.

There is lot of old folks here too :-)

Good luck trolling for more opinions on your first posting & welcome to the forum.

[bobnlesley]

Originally Posted by Franziska

Unless you are already compromised health wise, just very occasionally walking through a boatyard will not be an issue...

What about if you walked through a Californian boatyard? They've got to be dangerous.
I haven't been there in many years, not least because I'm scared to; when we were sailing up and down the US east coast we bought and used loads of everyday boating products and saw that most of which carried warning labels telling me how they'd kill or seriously injure me if I were to use them in California.

[Fore and Aft]

cruisin123 I am regularly in boatyards and the biggest danger to your health is finding a boat project, taking some photos and then showing the wife the photos later. If looks could kill I would have been dead on the office floor last week, after I showed the boss photos of a 45 foot steel yacht project.
Cheers

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, cruisin'.
I'd wear a dust mask, when passing 'quickly' through 'noticeable' pollutants.

[Alan Mighty]

Industrial air pollution? In a boatyard?

I've seen people argue that 250K Americans live in one of the 1K toxic industrial air pollution hotspots in the US.

When anyone asks them if they want to live a better lifestyle, they allegedly shake their heads in horror at the prospect of living longer in misery.

Or so the reports suggest: https://projects.propublica.org/toxmap/

https://www.theguardian.com/commenti...opeans-article

[MicHughV]

Like many others, I built my own boat...if it wasn't welding fumes, it was glue...paint...varnish....thinners....rust...and every other possible thing you can think of, 24/7 for nearly 3 years, up close and personal......that was 40 years ago...I'm still tickin'.....ok, I'm ticking a lot slower these days...but still ticking....the trick is to wash down the dust, dirt and grime with a cold beer....or two....or three...if it's a really bad day...

[Boatyarddog]

Originally Posted by cruisin123

Hi all,
I have a question that I've been unable to find a definitive answer to so here goes...

I'm considering putting my boat in a live-aboard slip that is located in a boat yard. I've gone to check it out and I like the area and slip fee rates, however, my only concern is that when walking up from the dock to the parking lot and vice versa, one must walk through an outdoor boat yard.

When walking through the outdoor yard I noticed that there are many boats in various places being painted and sanded, and more often than not if its a busy day at the yard, you actually get a brief whiff of paint smell as you walk past boats that are getting DIY painted by owners or yard crew.

Additionally, the yard crew sweep up the dust periodically with a push broom and I can visually see a small cloud of dust wafting around the guy with the broom.

Is exposure of this degree meaning, walking from the boat to the parking lot through the yard, any reason for concern? I'd really like for someone with some medical/health knowledge on this subject to tell me it's nothing to worry about. However, I know this stuff can be toxic and I definitely don't want to get cancer.

Thanks very much for reading and I appreciate any replies.

If your going to long term live in a Marina near a boatyard.
I'd cover your boat with a canvas cover or tarp.
Also, REMOVE YOUR SHOES before entering!! It will leave bottom paint dust outside your cockpit and cabin.
Getting a whif of Heptane or solvent can be alarming.
Unless your smelling it really strongly for repeated times, and not touching it and
unless your respiration is really sensitive, some are, it shouldn't be an issue.
I'm not a health pro though.
Boatyarddog

[MicHughV]

Just walkin' down any smog, car exhaust filled city must be worse than a boatyard...??

Many bars allow smoking....I've been to places where the smoke is thick as lead...

Walking past a boat yard seems like a walk in the park to me...

[Capt Clark]

Crusin123,

Welcome to the forum. Good question but really hard to answer. I believe the effects of these chemicals are not immediately seen thus hard to say how hazardous they are. I would suggest avoiding them as much as possible (wearing a mask when needed, remove your shoes outside, and getting a slip as far from the boatyard as possible).

Capt Clark

[MikeHoncho]

completely un-quantifiable not knowing the product or concentration of the product in air. Best advise is to not breath it. Comparing smog or cig. smoke to a airboard solid which probably has carbon fiber or fiber glass particulates and metals in it is in error.

[S/V Illusion]

Originally Posted by bobnlesley

What about if you walked through a Californian boatyard? They've got to be dangerous.
I haven't been there in many years, not least because I'm scared to; when we were sailing up and down the US east coast we bought and used loads of everyday boating products and saw that most of which carried warning labels telling me how they'd kill or seriously injure me if I were to use them in California.

Your in greater jeopardy by simply living in California