Is Vinyl Flooring Toxic

Toxic metals in vinyl flooring.

Is vinyl flooring toxic.

Antimicrobials can be used usually in the underlayment. Vinyl flooring can last anywhere from 10 to 20 years. What is the concern about phthalates. Vinyl chloride has been classified as a human carcinogen 14th report on carcinogens national toxicity program and is on the living building challenge red list of toxic chemicals to avoid.

Organotins a form of tin can be used in the top layer. But another concern phthalates in vinyl flooring has also garnered attention since both home depot and lowe s announced that flooring products they sell will be phthalate free by 2016. Ehn found the heavy metal cadmium recently in vinyl floors probably recycled ones they say. Some vinyl is hard but most flooring vinyl is relatively soft and yielding.

This characteristic is achieved by the addition of phthalates to the material mix when the pvc is being manufactured. These are toxic substances and they have been linked to reproductive and respiratory health problems in people who have prolonged exposure. These chemicals can contribute to indoor air pollution by drifting out of the. The pvc will create a large number of toxic chemicals like dioxins and phthalates that are released into the air and can.

Linoleum flooring is a safer alternative to vinyl flooring and manufacturers have started offering phthalate free flooring that doesn t contain the potentially dangerous chemicals identified by. It s important to avoid recycled vinyl. Greenbuildingsupply interestingly the material safety data sheets on all of the vinyl flooring i found say that it is either relatively non toxic except for in case of thermal. I have seen various types including silver.

100 of vinyl flooring sold by lumber liquidators contained these dangerous chemicals although other flooring retailers were also selling vinyl flooring with high levels of phthalates. Vinyl flooring toxic fumes. A recent study found that most vinyl flooring made from reprocessed plastic contained toxic phthalates lead cadmium brominated flame retardants and other toxic chemicals. In april 2015 a study was released about vinyl flooring and toxic phthalates.

Some lvt manufacturers are committed to reducing the amount of pvc and phthalates but many companies have not eliminated them. Flooring samples sold by five major home improvement stores were tested and of the 65 vinyl flooring tiles tested 58 contained phthalates.