When used according to manufacturer's recommendations, the product is safe and offers and acceptable standard of floor care. If problems arise, it is usually because the produce is used improperly. The custodian often replaces the thin areas with fresh paste, leaving a heavy build-up toward the outside of the traffic area. This build-up produces a dangerous surface. Acrylic finishes are also common.
Some companies offer special formulations for problem floor surfaces like terrazzo and marble.
One manufacturer makes an acrylic finish that contains aluminum oxide flakes. This finish can be applied in restaurants and other locations where floors are usually wet. These acrylics form a one-piece floor surface through interlocking crystallization when the material dries. Acrylics make safe floor surfaces, but are labor intensive and have to be removed when the product builds up. Improper cleaning methods can complicate matters further.