can vinyl flooring cause allergies
For people with allergies, it can seem like a lot of time is spent controlling them. Heat or energy recovery ventilators remove stale indoor air and pull the same amount of fresh air into your home. Read more here. . One of the next things we wanted the answer to was, are vinyl flooring toxic? Avoid laminate, vinyl flooring and synthetic carpeting. Instead, allergies that fall on the non-absorbent floors can be easily wiped away without anything hiding or staying beneath the surface. Made with all-natural ingredients, this cleaner can be used on a variety of surfaces, like vinyl flooring, hardwood, concrete, and countertops. The materials contaminate the air, and when you breathe in, it goes into your body. Consider buying an anti-allergenic vacuum cleaner, with a specialized filtration system. Your email address will not be published. It all starts with a free consultation so that we can learn more about you and your needs. Generally speaking, soft surfaces are not going to be your best option, so stick with harder surface floor products and avoid rugs. It doesnt contain any harmful ingredients that are 100% safe for human health. How do I stop my windows from sweating in the winter? Nonetheless, the top part that would be exposed is vinyl and should be okay. Conversely to hardwood floors, vinyl flooring cannot be repaired and it has a somewhat shorter lifespan than that of real wood floors. Why is vinyl flooring hazardous? I am currently in the market for a new home and will not even consider a home with vinyl flooring. 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. You can request copies of the manufacturers Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for each product to determine the VOC content. If you opt for a laminate or vinyl product, try to select an option that has low VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) and be cognizant of the adhesive used. That is a great recommendation. While carpet is an obvious aggravator of allergies, there are many other flooring finishes that are not ideal for the people who suffer from allergies. Unlike vinyl, which is petroleum based, linoleum is made with linseed oil and its eco-friendly. American Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Frequently Asked Questions about Multi-Length Rigid Core Flooring. I would expect those surfaces to bounce and break. In addition to natural allergies like dust and mold, some flooring contains volatile organic compounds ( VOCs) that can also trigger allergies in some people. Or, perhaps ask your friends or your real estate agent. Flooring adhesives can also contain high amounts of VOCs. Truly a you-get-what-you-pay-for situation. You can read more about it here Whats the difference between linoleum and vinyl? 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. It doesnt also emit any harmful chemicals into the air and has no health issues. Like Linoleum, ceramic tile is also a non-toxic flooring option. Hardwood floors is an additional amazing option for hypersensitivity sufferers. 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. Many carpet manufacturers are now offering hypoallergenic carpet, and moisture-resistant padding is available (very useful in basements, for example), and natural fiber or renewable green carpeting is better on allergies than the standard products. The majority of laminate plank and rigid-core vinyl flooring products require click-lock and floating installation, eliminating the need for adhesives. BTW, an alternative to laminate, which is much better and waterproof is Coretec Plus. She manages the creative aspects of the marketing department such as the website, social media, emails, and print marketing. If so, feel free to buy me a coffee and support my blog. Yes, some carpets can work well, and there certainly are advantages to carpet. 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. They can often be found living in your bedding. Always check the product to see the formaldehyde rating (E1 or E0 are the best choices). Also, the floor has cadmium, lead, and other dangerous things, but in small numbers. All those adhesives and man-made materials are potential sources of allergens. In severe cases, rashes, hives, low blood pressure, breathing trouble, asthma attacks, and even death have occurred. 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. And, generally hard surfaces will be better options than carpet. Wouldnt there be wood at school (e.g. Wood Toxicity and Allergen Chart Wooden Species Response Pine, Huon irritant Pistachio irritant Poison Walnut (Cryptocarya pleurosperma) bark disturbing to skin, dust may cause asthma, nausea, giddiness, sap is toxic and corrosive Poplar irritant, blisters, asthma, bronchitis. This can cause many of the symptoms you're experiencing including headaches, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath, and asthmatic reactions. Get more details about these certifications here. It can trap bacteria and allergens and its a terrible surface for laminate or vinyl to go on top of. To help keep dust, pollen, and dirt out of the house, use walk-off mats near doors and have a no-shoes-inside policy. Thus, Vinyl plank flooring is toxic and easily contaminates indoor air, water, and surfaces. I have lived with dogs and cats my whole life and when I am around them I do not break out. VOCs are organic gases that are released as materials degrade over time and can cause allergic reactions, headaches, and respiratory distress or infections. Look for ones with third-party certifications (like GREENGUARD and FloorScore) and opt for a no-adhesive floor if youre sensitive to strong chemicals. Our rigid core flooring is both GREENGUARD and FloorScore certified, something that you wont typically find in competing products. Now, you may ask- do you want to say vinyl flooring has no side effects? What are the pros and cons of engineered hardwood? Can you use two different backsplashes in kitchen? When we were researching we ran into the query Does vinyl flooring produce VOCs?. Theyre durable, can be refinished, versatile for use throughout the home, and for our purposes, theyre allergy-friendly. The EnviroKlenz Mobile Air System is the ideal air purifier for a wide variety of airborne pollutants that can be found in your air from allergens, noxious odors, chemicals, and microorganisms. Could it be possible that the plastic particles is getting in my track and reacting?? Especially in the home. The relieving fact is- home improvement companies now produce phthalate-free vinyl flooring. Like wood, tile, and cork, when properly sealed, bamboo flooring resists the growth of mold and mildew and doesnt trap dirt and dust. Now thats not to say carpet is bad. Many of the microscopic allergens we discussed are trapped and even furthered with carpet. VOCs are organic gases that are released as materials degrade over time and can cause allergic reactions, headaches, and respiratory distress or infections. What are common allergens? Install without glue; use nail-down or click-lock. A perimeter-bond floor will need, Copyright 2023 HouseholdFAQ | Powered by Astra WordPress Theme. It actually happens to me with grocery bags, gloves and cardboard boxes. Laminate is a manufactured product and contains limited natural materials. Hi there, wow, I suffer from the same problems with the shopping bags, ziploc bags, garbage bags, seems like anything plastic I touch hates me. Is Cleaning Products Safe for Vinyl Planks? It is important to note that now, in 2020, this question is now considered to be a myth. As the modern vinyl flooring plank is made from phthalate-free materials, they have a minimum risk to your health. Most floors will give off some level of VOCs, even natural hardwood floors. These adhesives will contain lead and other VOCs that once it becomes acclimated to room temperature will turn into a gas and consequently off gas into the air. But you can manage allergies with prevention and treatment. 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. You can easily overcome this issue by keeping the window open for several days to eliminate the VOCs from the room. The tile and linoleum are better options for wet and moist areas such as bathrooms and mudrooms. These adhesives will contain lead and other VOCs that once it becomes acclimated to room temperature will turn into a gas and consequently off gas into the air. Because of this, most physicians recommend that people with severe allergies or asthma get their wall-to-wall carpeting removed. Over the past several years, some waterproof and laminate floors have developed a reputation for having high levels of VOCs. If a flood happens in the space, you can remove the flooring boards to let the subfloor and flooring boards dry. I'm cursed. For a sustainable choice, search for glass tiles produced from recycled materials. 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. Those dwelling with asthma or hypersensitivity symptoms have traditionally been told to take away all carpet in the home due to the fact carpet traps allergens. Watery, red or swollen eyes (conjunctivitis) A food allergy can cause: Tingling in the mouth. 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. Please note that this article may contain affiliate links. Once installed, vinyl would off-gas potentially hazardous compounds (including lead, cadmium and phthalate plasticizers) for years. Always check your VOC contents on all the products involved in the installation and look for low- or VOC-free options for adhesives and sealants. Natural flooring options, championed by products like cork and bamboo, are also a great allergy-friendly option. Your home is your castle. This of course begs the inquiry Is laminate flooring really that toxic?. Can you be allergic to vinyl flooring? Find out the top 5 things to know before choosing a waterproof floor. In severe cases, rashes, hives, low blood pressure, breathing trouble, asthma attacks, and even death have occurred. As stated above, there is no cure for allergies. From tracking seasonal pollen counts to taking allergy medicine to voraciously cleaning, many people are overwhelmed with keeping their allergies in control. 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. Allergies may be prompted by way of many things found in your home such as carpet, which might include a hundred instances extra allergens than hard flooring [source: e-healthy-homes]. Allergens are substances that cause an allergic reaction. While concrete does emit VOCs, the emissions are significantly lower than that of most other building products, as reported by the Portland Cement Association, a policy, research, education, and market intelligence organization serving Americas cement manufacturers. Hardwood supplies e.g. 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. Regarding an installer, youll need to find a local one. This compound is known to pose severe threats to the lives of humans and animals. Voc content the relieving fact is- home improvement companies now produce phthalate-free flooring... Flooring toxic? with dogs and cats my whole life and when you breathe in, it into... Some level of VOCs, even natural hardwood floors is an additional amazing option for hypersensitivity sufferers is-... Ran into the query Does vinyl flooring can not be repaired and it a! 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