Flooring adhesives can also contain high amounts of VOCs. Truly a you-get-what-you-pay-for situation. And finally, you can look for an alternative to LVP flooring like ceramic tile. Laminate flooring is toxic. In addition to natural allergies like dust and mold, some flooring contains volatile organic compounds ( VOCs) that can also trigger allergies in some people. 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. You can request copies of the manufacturers Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for each product to determine the VOC content. For people with asthma and certain allergies, another aspect to consider is the VOC (volatile organic compounds) level of the floor. In this article, we are going to discuss the disadvantages of vinyl flooring, the chemicals that it releases into the air, and how you can effectively remove the chemical pollutants produced from vinyl flooring out of your homes air after installation. After installation, clean the floors regularly, keep a healthy home environment, and use other products that dont use irritating chemicals. Heat or energy recovery ventilators remove stale indoor air and pull the same amount of fresh air into your home. Compared with other types of floor, this kind of flooring is superbly easy. Honestly, vinyl plank flooring has minimum health issues. The second stage is a hospital-grade HEPA filter that is able to filter particulate matter as small as 0.3 microns in size which will include particulates like allergens. The hard surface makes it easy to clean with a dust mop (ideally a swiffer). I had gone through your article and many others as i just got my house constructed. The majority of laminate plank and rigid-core vinyl flooring products require click-lock and floating installation, eliminating the need for adhesives. Nonetheless, laminate provides a hard surface that is easy to clean and like hardwood, it doesnt harbor dust or dander. Any smooth finish tile or stone is a good hypoallergenic option. Always be sure to check that the product has the correct certifications. If there is anything disturbing you on the ground, such as dust or dirt, then it will be reflected on your floor and can cause health problems due to allergy. I would think, but I could be wrong, that would products would be okay as they dont have pollen, etc. Is there even such a thing as an allergy-proof floor? MedHelp is not a medical or healthcare provider and your use of this Site does not create a doctor / patient relationship. Besides, this report shows commercial products containing phthalates are safe and will not be harmful to the human body at a typical exposure level. Like the certifications we talked about, there are other third-party certifications for other types of products like EnergyStar, Green Seal, and FSC International. Laminate flooring may or may not be a good choice for those with allergies it can depend on the manufacturer and the grade of product. Most floors will give off some level of VOCs, even natural hardwood floors. I do work in the medical field as well and Ive noticed that most people are allergic to pine trees so its all about how you treat the floor went to lay it down and the cover you put over it like the sealant. Method vs Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent, 5 Safety Tips To Remember When Moving Out, Why Hire An Electrician Hartford CT For Your Home Remodel. Building materials are among one of the most hazardous items to an indoor environment as they are packed full of potentially toxic materials that will overtime release dangerous chemicals into the air of this enclosed area. It isn't easy, but us possible. But it is 2021, and the manufacturing companies care about the health issue as well as the environment. If youre researching this on your own, remember to steer clear of soft surfaces like carpet and consider more natural products like hardwood, or cork, or general hard surfaces like concrete, tile or stone. Regardless of which flooring surface you use, its important to keep the floors clean. Luxury vinyl plank and vinyl tile flooring are one of the hottest new trends in flooring in recent years. Vinyl flooring can last anywhere from 10 to 20 years. GREENGUARD and FloorScore are leading organizations that certify floors as healthy options for indoor installations. My designer discount at the paint stores usually more than offsets the cost for the hour consultation. I have a systemic reaction going on because of it! Vinyl gloves, being devoid of natural proteins, can also be used by people allergic to latex proteins. It doesnt contain any harmful ingredients that are 100% safe for human health. The reaction can cause coughing, sneezing, itchy eyes, a runny nose, and a scratchy throat. Thirdly, you can use an air purifier if you have a PVC (vinyl) floor. It is made of natural materials mixed with sustainable elements. Sheet vinyl floors additionally involves phthalate plasticizers for flexibility. As a result, it may cause respiratory issues over time. As with any of these products be careful to note the VOCs on the sealant and the adhesives used during install and adjust your product selections accordingly. When properly installed and sealed with an allergy-friendly polyurethane-style clearcoat, hardwood floors do not harbor microorganisms like dust mites or trap dirt, dust, or other tracked in allergens. These hidden dangers listed above can seep through the carpet material into the padding beneath where it is harder, if not impossible, to remove. It helps to have some general guidelines as to what makes a good, hypo-allergenic flooring and what might not be so great. Laminate and vinyl are alternative synthetic options. But, hardwood or cork (or other hard surfaces) are generally much better options. Here are some other articles that might interest you: hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(529392, '2310777b-aa0a-4b06-87dd-dbcb05f672bd', {"useNewLoader":"true","region":"na1"}); Dane is the owner and manager at Eckard's Flooring Savannah GA. A full-bond floor will have adhesive applied to the entire surface area. Spoiler Alert: Carpet is the worst. Dust mites and mold spores like heat and humidity. Find one here. Following the below steps, you can easily protect yourself from vinyl toxicity. With natural stone, its important to seal it to prevent mold and bacteria from growing) and for all types of tile (natural stone, porcelain and ceramic), its important to seal the grout, and reseal it, ideally every 1-2 years. Cork / Bamboo. Be aware this may exist in the plywood subfloors or even some engineered wood products used in the construction of your home. Give the floor planks time to adjust and acclimate with the house, Youll need at least 352 square feet of sheet vinyl. At present, the manufacturer companies stop using phthalates and provide phthalate-free LVP floor. The short answer is- yes, as the manufacturers now use a minimum level of phthalates. the adhesive and the finish coat. Formaldehyde is more common in laminate flooring, where it's found in the adhesive and resin. type of poly and type of cleaner) can have an impact, too. More than the trapped allergens during daily life, I am extremely concerned about the replacemtn flooring exuding VOCs and other such material What exaclty should I be looking to avoid if I use hardwood or carpet and how do I know who to use? Once at home, clean these items as needed. Consider buying an anti-allergenic vacuum cleaner, with a specialized filtration system. Regarding an installer, youll need to find a local one. If youre looking at engineered wood as an option for your floors, pay special attention to the amount of VOCs in each product and select products with the least amount possible. As mentioned earlier, there is one flooring option considered less effective than others when dealing with allergens. Most cork floors, though, are floating, so its important that your subfloor is level/even, otherwise you may need to smooth and/or level out the floors prior to installing cork. That opens you up to a wider variety of flooring options than many other project considerations (water-resistant flooring is considerably more restrictive). Phthalates are known toxins, exposing both humans and pets to the risk of asthma, cancer, kidney, lung, and even reproductive health problems. First, the production of PVC causes the release of toxins into the environment. wow, I suffer from the same problems with the shopping bags, ziploc bags, garbage bags, seems like anything plastic I touch hates me. Laminate flooring, like vinyl plank, is likewise tremendously long lasting and is a good choice for residences with infants and pets. Get more details about these certifications here. While linoleum is all natural, vinyl is an artificial product made with a variety of poisonous chemicals, certainly polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resin. You can get rid of VOCs and let some fresh air into your home by opening a window, using the exhaust fan in your kitchen or bathroom, or having a mechanical ventilator installed. The hives and welts kept coming and were getting worse. Cork. Plus, vinyl siding is approved for use in all types of construction1, including non-combustible rated structures up to 40 feet tall, one hour fire-rated assemblies, wild fire zones, and other fire resistive construction. She loves being outdoors, finding new music, and testing out new recipes in the kitchen. It also leads to the pollution of the environment. Dust mites, dirt, and moisture (MOLD!!!) Surprisingly, the vinyl floor is not harmful to human health unless you are exposed to it heavily. How ever, a short dense yarn or tight looped styled carpet will act more like a hard surface when it comes to dust, pollens and soil. Your email address will not be published. Treating a mud mite hypersensitive reaction antihistamines, along with Allegra or Claritin, can help relieve sneezing, runny nose, and itching. Like Linoleum, ceramic tile is also a non-toxic flooring option. So, it is entirely safe to install in your home. 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