Some phthalates are even known to be cancer-causing. Luxury vinyl flooring is known to emit these toxins. When it comes to smaller, less-ventilated areas of your home, the buildup of phthalates will be more severe due to the size of the space and the lack of ventilation.
So is vinyl flooring toxic? Toxicity levels of vinyl flooring were once a major concern dating back to the study discussed above which was conducted in 2015. It's now 2022 and most floor manufacturers have eliminated the use of this chemical and now provide 'phthalates-free' vinyl flooring.
In reality, the off-gassing should be the strongest during the first two weeks and continue to off-gas for up to months after it is placed into your home.
When it comes to environmental impact, laminate has a slight edge over vinyl thanks to its recycled wood core. However, the melamine wear layer on the surface is still made of plastic, which may off-gas VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that can be harmful to people and pets.
Healthier flooring options include solid wood, natural linoleum, cork, bamboo, tile and stone. A key feature of all of these is that they are easily cleaned of dust and dirt.
Generally speaking, floors with a nontoxic seal or finish have the lowest VOC levels. These include solid hardwood floors, polished concrete, and tile. Keep in mind that every flooring option comes with a lot of variety. Take the time to consider the different materials and finishes available to you.
Does flooring contain asbestos? Flooring, including sheet vinyl, floor tiles and any associated paper-like backing, adhesive or glue, can contain asbestos. Asbestos was added during the production of flooring to strengthen the flooring and to increase its durability.
Vinyl chloride is the primary component of PVC. It is extremely dangerous when inhaled. Vinyl chloride is considered carcinogen. Prolonged exposure to vinyl chloride causes lymphoma, leukemia, and brain, liver, and lung cancers.
In older homes, it's common to find asbestos in vinyl sheet flooring, as well as linoleum and laminate.
Vinyl flooring is made using PVC, a plastic that's incredibly toxic not just in its production, but long after it's out in the world.
Firstly, it can be difficult to install and may require professional help. Secondly, vinyl plank flooring is not as durable as other types of flooring such as hardwood or tile. It is also prone to scratching and denting from heavy furniture or objects being dragged across the surface.
If you have vinyl flooring, consider using an air purifier designed to remove VOCs like phthalates from your indoor air so you can breathe easier. Dust and vacuum frequently with a HEPA filter vacuum.
Carpet will attract, trap, and hold everything from dust mites to pet dander and urine. Carets hide germs in plain sight. If creating a healthy and hypoallergenic home for you family is important to you, then vinyl plank flooring is your best flooring option.
Formaldehyde can also be found in the emissions from vinyl flooring adhesive and the base layer of many laminate flooring types.
Can vinyl chloride cause cancer? The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has classified vinyl chloride as known to be a human carcinogen (cause cancer). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified vinyl chloride as a known human carcinogen by the inhalation route of exposure.
Some phthalates are even known to be cancer-causing. Luxury vinyl flooring is known to emit these toxins. When it comes to smaller, less-ventilated areas of your home, the buildup of phthalates will be more severe due to the size of the space and the lack of ventilation.
Vinyl chloride can irritate the eyes, mucous membranes, and respiratory tract. Escaping compressed gas or liquid can cause frostbite or irritation of the skin and eyes. Chronic exposure can cause permanent liver injury and liver cancer, neurologic or behavioral symptoms, and changes to the skin and bones of the hand.
If you are in North America, manufacturers stopped using asbestos in flooring products by 1986. In any case, if the older flooring is covered by a new layer of vinyl floor it poses no asbestos risk.
Vinyl floors are widely used in public areas for their low cost and easy cleaning. From 1960 to 1980, asbestos was often added to improve vinyl floor performances.
It is always safer to assume vinyl materials manufactured before 1980 contain asbestos. Asbestos can become friable when sheet flooring is removed. Only a licensed abatement professional should remove asbestos vinyl sheet flooring because this product becomes friable upon removal at any age.
Due to the materials used in the production process of vinyl, it will sometimes emit various levels of VOCs into the air for a short amount of time after installation. These toxic chemicals can be harmful to air quality of the immediate environment it's installed in and may cause respiratory problems over time.
We all know that vinyl is one of the best faux wood flooring options around thanks to its incredible durability and gorgeous visuals. But it's true—vinyl flooring can also contain harmful VOCs and other chemicals. The good news: low-VOC vinyl flooring has come a long way in recent years.
Vinyl Plank, Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP), and Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) are very low in volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) and offgassing. Most people find it odorless, but those like me with a high sense of smell can pick up a little bit of offgassing.