Surprisingly, the vinyl floor is not harmful to human health unless you are exposed to it heavily. As they are synthetic products (vs. hardwood or cork which are natural), they may tend to cause other issues, especially with cheaper options. 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. I have a systemic reaction going on because of it! The stuff that soaks up water, and by that logic could soak up mold, mildew, dirt and other allergens? I would check/get clarification with your doctor and then ask your doctor what he or she would recommend. 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. Similar to cork flooring, some high-end vinyl floors (often called luxury vinyl) can offer the advantages of a hard surface easy to clean, no pockets for moisture and many have an antibacterial agent built into them. Why is vinyl flooring hazardous? Find out the top 5 things to know before choosing a waterproof floor. I would think, but I could be wrong, that would products would be okay as they dont have pollen, etc. And your floors, one of the biggest surfaces of your home, shouldnt be something that causes allergies, either. Vinyl tile flooring is constructed of new or recycled polyvinyl chloride or PVC that is known to be one of the most environmentally hazardous consumer materials that are produced for flooring. However, you can ask some questions to the Installer about the safety of grout, and other ingredients used during the installation process as it may emit toxicity. 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. For people with asthma and certain allergies, another aspect to consider is the VOC (volatile organic compounds) level of the floor. Which flooring is the best option for combating allergy triggers? Consider buying an anti-allergenic vacuum cleaner, with a specialized filtration system. But, it may have a tad of wood shavings in the core. Even if you don't have asthma or any known allergies, you can find yourself with eye, nose, and throat irritation, coughing, headaches, dizziness, and nausea if high levels of VOCs are in your home. How lengthy does it take for vinyl to off gas? Thus, Vinyl plank flooring is toxic and easily contaminates indoor air, water, and surfaces. Adding real plants can also purify the air. Each carpet loop can lock in dust, allergens and animal hair that can trigger allergies. As theyre chemical-based, they have the potential for immediate and timed-release of Volatile Organic Compounds (or VOCs). The allergens in old carpet can reduce the indoor air quality of your home and trigger asthma attacks just like they trigger nasal congestion, sneezing, itchy eyes, and other allergic reactions. American Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Frequently Asked Questions about Multi-Length Rigid Core Flooring. As a general rule, smooth stone will be much less likely to harbor allergens than a tile that is porous or has rough edges or is highly textured.. Polished marble and granite are excellent choices (for those with allergies), but natural-looking stone with a textured finishes and uneven surfaces can provide pockets for mold and other allergens to collect and develop. Your home is your castle. When it comes to selecting the ideal flooring for your home, many consumers are opting for vinyl flooring that is durable, versatile, and cost effective that will save you some major money. I really appreciate that. By Dane Eckard | Nov 13, 2015 7:58:00 PM | Allergies and Flooring. There are also hypoallergenic and low VOC carpet padding (such as felt or Shaws Triple Touch Carpet padding) which tend to be better for allergies or asthma. Eckards Flooring is a family owned business with over 50 years of in the flooring and home decor business. At present, the manufacturer companies stop using phthalates and provide phthalate-free LVP floor. Taking all those into account, your floors should look great, and provide worry- and more importantly, allergy-free surfaces for years. Like carpet, fabrics in your home can harbor allergens and irritants. Nor does the author in any way guarantee or validate the validity, totality, or efficacy of any claims and will therefore not be held responsible for the content of any claims. Do you have plywood subfloor or wood in the house? . Nonetheless, laminate provides a hard surface that is easy to clean and like hardwood, it doesnt harbor dust or dander. Vinyl gloves, being devoid of natural proteins, can also be used by people allergic to latex proteins. The reaction can cause coughing, sneezing, itchy eyes, a runny nose, and a scratchy throat. Stone and ceramic tile can be better choices than vinyl and laminate. I am in Atlanta, GA. Anupa You may want to look into a pre-finished wood. New flooring has been found to contain a large number of different chemicals within its composition that when installed into an indoor environment like a home it will off-gas and release these chemicals into the air of this enclosed area leading to a dangerous level of pollution in the air that could have long-lasting effects on human health. But you can manage allergies with prevention and treatment. These substances are broadly called allergens. I tried antihistamines and they did not solve the problem. Look for GREENGUARD and FloorScore certifications. The results of the aforementioned study actually show how vinyl floors were considered to be toxic. These chemicals can contribute to indoor air pollution by drifting out of the flooring and into the air and dust inside homes. Heat or energy recovery ventilators remove stale indoor air and pull the same amount of fresh air into your home. I did begin to notice that if I carried a plastic grocerry around my wrist I would develop a rash which would turn into welts. curtains, and horizontal blinds. Hardwood floors can be refinished, and with care can last a lifetime or more. 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. GREENGUARD tests flooring and many other products for over 10,000 chemicals to certify that they give off low emissions. 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. All those adhesives and man-made materials are potential sources of allergens. Even solid hardwood (which is often the best choice), can result in sneezes (as well as scratches) if you dont keep it clean. Cork Floors - While cork floors offer easy cleanup and can be visually beautiful, the porous nature of the material creates small pockets that dust and pet dander can hide. In the Spring I began to get hives/welts and little red dots that would appear on my skin of my arms and legs that were exposed. Laminate and vinyl plank flooring dont trap allergens like carpet and theyre generally much easier to clean. During the production of materials such as vinyl, the use of chemicals within this item will lead to a process that will occur in this indoor space called off-gassing. Notably, it releases dioxins, which are highly toxic compounds that pollute the environment and can cause serious human health problems. For people with asthma and certain allergies, another aspect to consider is the VOC (volatile organic compounds) level of the floor. Carpeting can also retain moisture, which encourages the growth of mold and mildew. These VOCs can become airborne into the air and significantly taint the indoor air quality and thus it is important to do your research to select a non-toxic flooring inside your home that will not pollute and taint your indoor air quality. One more thing you need to know about laminate flooring is that it can also trigger allergies. Additionally, its critically important to properly seal the tile and grout, and regularly clean and reseal it at the manufacturers recommendations. She loves being outdoors, finding new music, and testing out new recipes in the kitchen. Its easy to clean and holds up well to water. The short answer is- yes, as the manufacturers now use a minimum level of phthalates. I have lived with dogs and cats my whole life and when I am around them I do not break out. Hang on to your antihistamines, this piece will give you everything youve ever wanted to know about selecting the best allergy-friendly flooring. Vinyl plank floors have a shorter lifespan than wood floors, not eco-friendly and hard to recycle, emit gasses into the air called VOCs (volatile organic compound), hard to repair, and overall have inconsistent qualities. Lets go over some aspects to consider when looking for a new allergen-free, waterproof floor: Because waterproof flooring is a hard surface, it wont trap dust mites or allergens like pollen, mold, dust and pet dander. Honestly, vinyl plank flooring has minimum health issues. Additionally, look for other low-chemical products to use in your home. Are you sure? What can I do after installation to prevent allergens from living in my home. How is your daughter surviving if she is allergic to trees. This compound is known to pose severe threats to the lives of humans and animals. Off-gassing doesn't stop when the smell stops either. When looking for decorations like rugs, bedding, and pillows, choose ones that are made from natural materials and can be machine washable. You can read my full disclosure at the bottom of the page. These problematic gases are found in paint, glue, caulk, cleaning supplies, or formaldehyde. But the report back to 2015 by Healthy Stuff revealed that 58% of vinyl flooring tiles contain phthalates. Cork floors are a wonderful alternative to hardwood. Bamboo Floors - Touted as one of the most allergy friendly floors, bamboo floors can work well for allergy sufferers. Often, the flooring can be the biggest source of allergens. Engineered Hardwood contains several layers of actual wood, bonded to a base layer for strength. Complete this simple form to get started. Steam . Vinyl is a good allergy-friendly alternative as its hard surface qualities make it easy to clean of dust and debris and dont lend towards trapping allergens. 1. Sheet vinyl floors additionally involves phthalate plasticizers for flexibility. revealed that 58% of vinyl flooring tiles contain phthalates. Download the guide Five Things You Need To Consider When Buying A Waterproof Floor now to help you make the best decision for your space. When it comes to the safest option, hardwood flooring is a prime choice. At NO ADDITIONAL COST TO YOU, I will earn a small commission, if you purchase them. Now i am planning for vinyl flooring. They are also less expensive, but can ensure a level of safety if the thickness of the . January 11, 2023 by cracker The bad: air-polluting floors materials A latest study found that almost all vinyl flooring, made from reprocessed plastic, contained toxic phthalates, lead, cadmium, brominated flame retardants, and other toxic chemicals. It did prove that I was allergic to dust, pollen, molds etc, dogs and cats. So many of the homes are using the vinyl plank flooring it is becoming increasingly difficult to find a safe non toxic home. A latest study found that almost all vinyl flooring, made from reprocessed plastic, contained toxic phthalates, lead, cadmium, brominated flame retardants, and other toxic chemicals. Vinyl is a good allergy-friendly alternative as its hard surface qualities make it easy to clean of dust and debris and don't lend towards trapping allergens. Get more details about these certifications here. Your Online Resource for Relevant, Engaging, Biblical sermons! Most importantly, you can maintain this surface type effortlessly. 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. Thankfully, dust that has settled on hardwood is far easier to wipe away (or swiffer away) than dirt that has settled into the carpet (here are some cleaning products we recommend). Rubber rug pads and vinyl floors: no longer a event made in heaven Rubber, the two the organic and synthetic, isnt secure to use with vinyl floors since it reacts with the chemicals found in vinyl and motives staining. Thus, Vinyl plank flooring is toxic and easily contaminates indoor air, water, and surfaces. Get Additional $250 OFF Now*. Get our free cleaning guide for details about the best way to clean your floor (spoiler you only need 3 tools to clean!). Following the below steps, you can easily protect yourself from vinyl toxicity. Regarding an installer, youll need to find a local one. Armstrong Luxe Plank Bushes Bay Barnyard Gray A6861. Hay fever, also called allergic rhinitis, can cause: Sneezing. However, as it emits a level of VOC, it may be dangerous to your health and cause asthma or other issues. Solid hardwood floors are made of planks milled from a single piece of timber. Unlike vinyl, which is petroleum based, linoleum is made with linseed oil and its eco-friendly. Cork also helps insulate heat, so they are warm on your feet and they are cozy on your feet. Wouldnt there be wood at school (e.g. SermonSubscription.com. Phthalates are known toxins, exposing both humans and pets to the risk of asthma, cancer, kidney, lung, and even reproductive health problems. Following the below steps, you can easily protect yourself from vinyl toxicity. One may also ask, do vinyl flooring off gas? Like the certifications we talked about, there are other third-party certifications for other types of products like EnergyStar, Green Seal, and FSC International. Allergens can live in any number of places throughout the home, including oft-overlooked flooring. swollen, bluish-colored skin beneath the eyes trouble sleeping You may experience additional symptoms if you have asthma and are allergic to dust mites. Nonetheless, the top part that would be exposed is vinyl and should be okay. Bad news: your house is typically full of them. Watery, red or swollen eyes (conjunctivitis) A food allergy can cause: Tingling in the mouth. Laminate flooring also wins out over vinyl when it comes to environmental sustainability. Other suitable options but be wary of quality. Higher-end vinyl products typically are the better option for both durability and VOC content. The Best Way To Clean Waterproof LVT Flooring. For indoor floors, the odor may linger longer than on outdoor floors. Always check the product to see the formaldehyde rating (E1 or E0 are the best choices). Researchers have found that children living in homes with vinyl flooring and sofas treated with fire retardant chemicals show increased levels of certain toxic chemicals. It did prove that I was allergic to dust, pollen, molds etc, dogs and cats. The cost is usually thirty to fifty percent less. Mold, mildew, dust, dust mites, pet dander, pollen, dirt, grass, leaves, and even chemicals. The adhesives used in some types of engineered hardwood, laminate and vinyl floorings can carry high amounts of VOCs. 24301 Walden Center Drive Suite 300 Is Cleaning Products Safe for Vinyl Planks? Has the floor been tested for harmful chemicals? 623-404-4444. I have recently been told by my doctor to quit drinking from plastic!! However, always avoid older carpeted floors as it contains VOC elements like formaldehyde. 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. If you have carpet, or area rugs (or are required to have carpet), low pile (including looped carpets) are better options and so are natural fiber carpets such as wool or sisal. Whilst laminate can fade while uncovered to sunlight over long periods of time, it is more resistant than vinyl flooring. Waterproof floors are a great solution for those needing a durable floor that doesnt trap allergens and irritants. Taking these steps will make your home more peaceful and keep your allergies at bay. Solid hardwood flooring is considered the safest and least toxic option as it's completely natural and free from any toxins. Temperature changes, humidity, space for air circulation, and ventilation affect how much gas the floor releases. 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