Vinyl floors is accessible in a wide selection of color and pattern options. These chemicals have been associated with critical healthiness issues, including respiratory problems, neurological issues, epidermis irritation, and cancer. These emissions are caused by a variety of factors, like the adhesive and finishes used with the floor. An advantage of waterproof flooring is that many come in loose lay or click lock constructions that do not require adhesive. This naturally occurring substance inhibits the growth of mold, mildew, bacteria and other allergens. Laminate and vinyl are alternative synthetic options. We disclaim all responsibility for the professional qualifications and licensing of, and services provided by, any physician or other health providers posting on or otherwise referred to on this Site and/or any Third Party Site. Congoleum DuraCeramic Sierra Slate SI-74 Golden Greige. How long does laminate flooring off-gas? And allergies are the 6th leading cause of chronic illness in the United States. From new paint, new furniture, wall additions inside the home, and even the removal and replacing of new flooring can all be potential sources of the entrance of hazardous chemicals into the indoor air of your home. Because youll likely find it in 12-foot-wide rolls, youll purchase a roll of 12 feet, Your new vinyl floor will require an adhesive. A perimeter-bond floor will need, Copyright 2023 HouseholdFAQ | Powered by Astra WordPress Theme. As they are synthetic products (vs. hardwood or cork which are natural), they may tend to cause other issues, especially with cheaper options. But, yes how you treat the floor (e.g. https://theflooringgirl.com/blog/review-coretec-plus-luxury-vinyl-waterproof-hardwood-planks.html. You may get a cold a few times a year, but those are not allergies. One note of warning on bamboo: it is technically a member of the grass family, rather than a tree product, so if you are looking for flooring friendly to grass allergies, this may not be the best choice. Bonita Springs, Florida 34134 Even with daily vacuuming, carpets can pick up and hold more dust and allergens than a hardwood or laminate floor. Now, the question arises in your mind- is the LVP flooring safe? Vinyl Plank, Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP), and Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) are very low in VOCs and offgassing. Because of this, many homeowners are worried about having these products in their homes. Here is what my research found. Be sure to choose ones that are easy to keep and are right for the type of lighting your room gets. So, still, is vinyl flooring toxic? The EnviroKlenz Air Purifier uses a two-stage filtration that includes a VOC air cartridge utilizing the EnviroKlenz patented earth mineral technology that is able to effectively interact with chemicals like VOCs and noxious odors created from these chemicals from the air through neutralization. Required fields are marked *, $MMT = window.$MMT || {}; $MMT.cmd = $MMT.cmd || [];$MMT.cmd.push(function(){ $MMT.display.slots.push(["e9ba73bf-1e8b-4c4a-909e-c54efc9e5793"]); }), $MMT = window.$MMT || {}; $MMT.cmd = $MMT.cmd || [];$MMT.cmd.push(function(){ $MMT.display.slots.push(["8a8357c5-6054-40ff-9476-b14d83c919ad"]); }). Floorings that are high in VOCsaka volatile organic compoundscan be harmful to everyone, but they are especially hard on those who already have sensitive allergies. Its the preferred flooring surface for homes in Westchester County and the East Coast. But for allergy sufferers, even the home can be a minefield of triggers and health concerns on a daily basis. In fact, one of the reasons homeowners go for vinyl floor is because of how easy it is to install. Phone | 239.330.9650 The adhesives used in the process may contain formaldehyde as well as other dangerous VOCs, and these can trigger other allergies sometimes immediately, and other times over time. In addition to natural allergies like dust and mold, some flooring contains volatile organic compounds ( VOCs) that can also trigger allergies in some people. MY PROFESSIONAL OPINION IS CARPET IF ITS THE CORRECT STYLE, IS THE BEST CHIOCE, when it comes to most areas of your home. If you research the best floors for allergies, youll find consistently that hard surface flooring are the safest floors for allergies. Off-gassing can last between six months and five years depending on the household item and the chemicals used to treat it. 623-404-4444. First, the production of PVC causes the release of toxins into the environment. Now thats not to say carpet is bad. MedHelp is not a medical or healthcare provider and your use of this Site does not create a doctor / patient relationship. Ive been in the flooring business 46 years. revealed that 58% of vinyl flooring tiles contain phthalates. Required fields are marked *. Click to schedule Free Estimate. Long popular for their durability, style, high-end appearance and variety, tile and stone are good allergy-friendly options for flooring if attention is paid to the selection, style, and installation. I would think, but I could be wrong, that would products would be okay as they dont have pollen, etc. GREENGUARD tests flooring and many other products for over 10,000 chemicals to certify that they give off low emissions. Most of it is phthalate-free now though phthalates were replaced with alternate plasticizers. Linoleum is another non-toxic surface type. When it comes to the installation of new flooring into a home this building material will release potentially toxic chemicals into the environment that are known as VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). Especially in the home. Can vinyl flooring cause allergies? Most importantly, you can maintain this surface type effortlessly. They are inherently mold and mildew resistant due to the antimicrobial presence of suberin. Once installed, vinyl would off-gas potentially hazardous compounds (including lead, cadmium and phthalate plasticizers) for years. One may also ask, do vinyl flooring off gas? It's durable, easy to clean and comes in a variety of trendsetting colors, patterns, and looks. nasal corticosteroids, such as Flonase or Nasonex, can reduce infection when featuring fewer unintended effects than their oral counterparts. Carpeting can also retain moisture, which encourages the growth of mold and mildew. Please note that this article may contain affiliate links. If you're allergic to allergens in your carpet, symptoms can include: 2 Runny nose Congestion Sneezing Red, itchy eyes Swollen eyes and/or lips Rash Wheezing Chest tightness Shortness of breath Coughing Symptoms of VOC Exposure Exposure to VOCs can cause: 3 Eye, nose, and throat irritation Nausea Vomiting Bleeding from your nose Shortness of breath One of the worst offenders in allergy magnets for your home is carpeting. The results of the aforementioned study actually show how vinyl floors were considered to be toxic. Thus, Vinyl plank flooring is toxic and easily contaminates indoor air, water, and surfaces. Cork floors are a wonderful alternative to hardwood. If your vinyl floor comes from an old plastic material, be sure it will contain phthalates that make the floor soft. Not to sound like a broken record but be sure to watch the VOCs on those products. Sealing prevents dirt, dust and other allergens from penetrating the porous surface of the tile or grout. My company has been in business 36 years. Vinyl production creates dioxin, vinyl chloride and ethylene dichloride, which can impact the environment in surrounding areas. So, is vinyl flooring toxic in the real words? However, prolonged exposure to this chemical may lead to several health issues like reproductive health issues. PVC is hazardous to both the environment and human health. Laminate and vinyl plank flooring dont trap allergens like carpet and theyre generally much easier to clean. Some dispute the negative relationship of carpeting to allergies, but there is no doubt that it holds more dust, dirt and moisture than any other kind of flooring, making it an ideal environment for dust mites. Unlike carpet, hardwood doesnt trap allergens nor does it provide an environment for them to grow. So many of the homes are using the vinyl plank flooring it is becoming increasingly difficult to find a safe non toxic home. Keeping your home allergy-free extends beyond just choosing the right product. Is vinyl flooring toxic? Look for ones with third-party certifications (like GREENGUARD and FloorScore) and opt for a no-adhesive floor if youre sensitive to strong chemicals. Linoleum is also a natural product that also is a good option for those with allergies or asthma. If you do need to glue the floor down, there are low VOC and no VOC adhesive options available. Be sure to check the VOC content of both the flooring (due largely to its petroleum base) and (for glue-down options) the adhesive used to install it, as these can be potent sources of allergy-inducing fumes. You can read more about it here Whats the difference between linoleum and vinyl? OMG I thought I was the only one with this! Yes, vinyl flooring is toxic because it contains Polyvinyl chloride (PVC). I have recently been told by my doctor to quit drinking from plastic!! Researchers have discovered that children living in residences with vinyl floors and sofas handled with hearth retardant chemical substances show accelerated levels of certain toxic chemicals. Humans absorb this chemical through contact with vinyl, as well as through the affected food we eat. Thats a tall order, as you can imagine, so lets start on the ground level. Use solid wood. Solid hardwood flooring is considered the safest and least toxic option as it's completely natural and free from any toxins. Always check the product to see the formaldehyde rating (E1 or E0 are the best choices). So, you can install it in your home without any hesitation as it is non-toxic. Your partners at The Good Guys can help with navigating some of these tricky allergy-free products. When it comes to vinyl flooring, this plasticizer is also used mostly in the time of final production to increase their flexibility and durability. An allergen can be eaten, inhaled into your lungs, injected into your body or simply something you touched. Not all tile flooring is allergy friendly. As the materials (phthalate) are used in the final production process of LVP, it emits a level of VOCs into the air for a short amount of time after installation. Actually, yes. The varied widths of the boards can give each room its own style. Andrew Thank you so much. Off-gassing is identified as the release of a chemical, particularly a harmful one, that will turn into a gas at room temperature and will expel into the air, leaving this space significantly compromised by the released chemicals. That base layer is often man-made materials bonded together with a chemical adhesive. To wrap it up, you have to know that vinyl plank floors are not that toxic not unless you get a heavy expose. For more advice on remodeling for those with allergies or asthma, check out this site: asthma and allergy foundation of America. 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