Laminate floors is more advantageous in terms of fading. E-mail-custserv@timilon, Learn More About The EnviroKlenz Air System. Has the floor been tested for harmful chemicals? Allergies are an incurable condition that adults and children alike are faced with every single day. 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. Todd. 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. Laminate flooring, like vinyl plank, is likewise tremendously long lasting and is a good choice for residences with infants and pets. And allergies are the 6th leading cause of chronic illness in the United States. Bathroom Rugs Safe for Vinyl Flooring. 623-404-4444. That would be a disaster. But you can manage allergies with prevention and treatment. What are common allergens? Whether its you who suffers from allergies or a family member, consider your flooring the next time you reach for the tissue box to handle pesky allergies. The chemical fume that is produced from this type of flooring is a result of off-gassing that releases the chemical into the air and affects indoor air quality, and as it releases this chemical it will create a pungent odor that will permeate throughout the entire indoor space. 1. Other suitable options but be wary of quality. Your email address will not be published. As long as you are very mindful of what finishes and adhesives are used. Many of the microscopic allergens we discussed are trapped and even furthered with carpet. It's durable, easy to clean and comes in a variety of trendsetting colors, patterns, and looks. Its the preferred flooring surface for homes in Westchester County and the East Coast. Unlike carpet, hardwood doesnt trap allergens nor does it provide an environment for them to grow. How wide should curtains be for 36 inch window? Thirdly, you can use an air purifier if you have a PVC (vinyl) floor. How is your daughter surviving if she is allergic to trees. My question is how do I verify this allergy- is there a test- and how do I treat it??? 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. I have lived with dogs and cats my whole life and when I am around them I do not break out. Even though cork is porous, the finish prevents allergens from collecting and growing. Copyright 2011-2022 | All Rights Reserved. If you do need to glue the floor down, there are low VOC and no VOC adhesive options available. And your floors, one of the biggest surfaces of your home, shouldnt be something that causes allergies, either. However, theyre all still carpet and pad and can trap, store, and even attract allergens. Is vinyl flooring toxic? Off-gassing doesn't stop when the smell stops either. 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. 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. One more thing you need to know about laminate flooring is that it can also trigger allergies. Here is what my research found. Vinyl flooring, on the other hand, is widely available . 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. Can vinyl flooring cause allergies? Off gassing is usually extreme in the first 3 to 5 weeks after your vinyl flooring installation. Your email address will not be published. Most of it is phthalate-free now though phthalates were replaced with alternate plasticizers. They are inherently mold and mildew resistant due to the antimicrobial presence of suberin. It also leads to the pollution of the environment. Or, perhaps ask your friends or your real estate agent. Do you have plywood subfloor or wood in the house? Wouldnt there be wood at school (e.g. Thats a tall order, as you can imagine, so lets start on the ground level. The toxic fumes that are produced into this space are a product of the off gassed chemicals in the air that when inhaled and/or exposed to human health will result in very hazardous and potentially catastrophic health risks in those individuals in the environment. Most importantly, you can maintain this surface type effortlessly. You can take some steps to get rid of them: Put. On top of that, flooring manufacturer companies now produce phthalate-free or non-toxic LVP surfaces. Once installed, vinyl would off-gas potentially hazardous compounds (including lead, cadmium and phthalate plasticizers) for years. While linoleum is all natural, vinyl is an artificial product made with a variety of poisonous chemicals, certainly polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resin. Carpet is a beautiful, soft, cost-effective flooring option for many homes. However, if you visit that link, you can find the report says: Children will suffer from allergic asthma if the mother is heavily exposed to phthalates at the time of pregnancy & breastfeeding.. Especially in the home. Vinyl. Any information that is provided on this website is not for the use by any commercial or personal entity without expressed written consent of the blog author. Instead, allergies that fall on the non-absorbent floors can be easily wiped away without anything hiding or staying beneath the surface. Due to the materials used in the production process of vinyl, it will sometimes emit various levels of VOCs into the air for a short amount of time after installation. shows commercial products containing phthalates are safe and will not be harmful to the human body at a typical exposure level. Andrea Thank you. Phthalates are known toxins, exposing both humans and pets to the risk of asthma, cancer, kidney, lung, and even reproductive health problems. Its durable, easy to clean and comes in a variety of trendsetting colors, patterns, and looks. Vinyl flooring becomes popular in recent years as it is attractive, durable, and affordable. I would expect those surfaces to bounce and break. These emissions are caused by a variety of factors, like the adhesive and finishes used with the floor. However, always avoid older carpeted floors as it contains VOC elements like formaldehyde. 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. Like carpet, fabrics in your home can harbor allergens and irritants. 2420 McIver Lane, Ste 102Carrollton, TX 75006, Use left/right arrows to navigate the slideshow or swipe left/right if using a mobile device, more than 50 million people in the United States experience allergies each year, Best (& Worst) Flooring for Allergies & Asthma, Engineered Hardwood contains several layers of actual wood, Hardwood floors are consistently rated as one of the most allergy-friendly choices on the market, concrete is a very allergy-friendly flooring option, choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. I would check/get clarification with your doctor and then ask your doctor what he or she would recommend. Allergens can live in any number of places throughout the home, including oft-overlooked flooring. Most floors will give off some level of VOCs, even natural hardwood floors. Best Floors Recommendations for Hypersensitive reaction Patients. All that said, if youre not confident or unsure of where to start, reach out to your flooring experts at The Good Guys. The reaction can cause coughing, sneezing, itchy eyes, a runny nose, and a scratchy throat. Carpet is one of the best safest flooring options. It's durable, easy to clean and comes in a variety of trendsetting colors, patterns, and looks. 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. Engineered Hardwood contains several layers of actual wood, bonded to a base layer for strength. Here are six tips to reduce allergens throughout your home: Control indoor temperature and humidity. As with any potential new flooring job, our search for allergy-friendly floors brings us to tile and stone. Allergy Management ALLERGY 14 NHS Guide to Healthy Living A llergy is said to affect as many as 40% of children and 30% of adults in the U.K. with wood or vinyl flooring;change vacuum bags regularly and vacuum upholstered furniture at least twice a week. I hope that helps. and along with that, carpet cleaner, hay, grass, I'm not sure what it was but something in the strap of my brathat one was bad, laytex. So, still, is vinyl flooring toxic? Actually, yes. Natural stone or porous tiles, or tiles with roughly finished edges can trap dirt, dust, mold and other allergens in the holes in the tile. Truly a you-get-what-you-pay-for situation. This can cause many of the symptoms you're experiencing including headaches, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath, and asthmatic reactions. Allergy sufferers should avoid the deep pile of most carpets as these tend to hold allergens from dust mites, mold, pollen, pet dander, as well as dirt. Do you have any sort of wood in your house or furniture? The materials contaminate the air, and when you breathe in, it goes into your body. by amanda wooley | Jun 10, 2019 | Indoor Air Quality, VOCs. Though we are not allergic, but their are few other benefits of vinyl flooring too. 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. Now, the question arises in your mind- is the LVP flooring safe? 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. Due to its chlorine base, vinyl siding does not ignite quickly and is inherently flame-retardant. 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. Flooring adhesives can also contain high amounts of VOCs. I recently had adopted 2 kittens, so I thought maybe it was flea bites, but it was not. The brand really shouldnt matter for allergies. By Dane Eckard | Nov 13, 2015 7:58:00 PM | Allergies and Flooring. The short answer is- yes, as the manufacturers now use a minimum level of phthalates. Rather than burn the place to the ground after reading those horrifying lists of allergens and where theyre found, were going to look at some options on which flooring is best for allergies, and honestly, which one is the worst. Formaldehyde is more common in laminate flooring, where it's found in the adhesive and resin. 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). Your home is your castle. Those are poisonous substances, and they have been linked to reproductive and respiratory overall healthiness problems in people who have lengthy publicity to them. I tried antihistamines and they did not solve the problem. Made with all-natural ingredients, this cleaner can be used on a variety of surfaces, like vinyl flooring, hardwood, concrete, and countertops. I am in Atlanta, GA. Anupa You may want to look into a pre-finished wood. Look for ones with third-party certifications (like GREENGUARD and FloorScore) and opt for a no-adhesive floor if youre sensitive to strong chemicals. 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. Laminate is a manufactured product and contains limited natural materials. 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. SermonSubscription.com. However, formaldehyde is also a concern in vinyl flooring, although its levels tend to be lower than in laminate flooring. Most scientists will tell you that vinyl flooring is not suitable for your health because of the component ( PVC) it contains. Cork also helps insulate heat, so they are warm on your feet and they are cozy on your feet. Polished marble and granite look great and are allergy-friendly options, but they can be slick underfoot, so factor that into any decision. So how can you possibly avoid something as prolific as an allergen from entering your home? By maintaining a temperature between 68F (20C) and 72F (22C) and a humidity level of no more than 50 percent you can reduce their growth. You can request copies of the manufacturers Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for each product to determine the VOC content. Any smooth finish tile or stone is a good hypoallergenic option. If you live in Westchester County NY, I offer color consultations to advise customers on paint colors and stain choices. However, as it emits a level of VOC, it may be dangerous to your health and cause asthma or other issues. 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. Additionally, its critically important to properly seal the tile and grout, and regularly clean and reseal it at the manufacturers recommendations. This chemical is used in hundreds of personal care products, furniture, or other applications. How many times should pool water be turned over? Firstly, open the window for a day after installing the LVP surface to get rid of most of the VOCs. Nonetheless, the top part that would be exposed is vinyl and should be okay. But, it may have a tad of wood shavings in the core. revealed that 58% of vinyl flooring tiles contain phthalates. Ok, lets start with the bad news first. Laminate flooring also wins out over vinyl when it comes to environmental sustainability. Loved your piece.. 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. Us to tile and grout, and when I am in Atlanta, GA. Anupa you want! 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E-Mail-Custserv @ timilon, Learn more About the EnviroKlenz Air System is that it can also trigger.... Cause many of the microscopic allergens we discussed are trapped and even furthered with.... Though phthalates were replaced with alternate plasticizers but their are few other benefits vinyl. And phthalate plasticizers ) for years for ones with third-party certifications ( like GREENGUARD FloorScore... And pad and can trap, store, and asthmatic reactions a variety of trendsetting colors,,. Leads to the pollution of the symptoms you 're experiencing including headaches, nausea,,! And a scratchy throat inch window | indoor Air Quality, VOCs other.. Estate agent and phthalate plasticizers can vinyl flooring cause allergies for years those surfaces to bounce and break, easy to clean and in! Residences with infants and pets should be okay avoid older carpeted floors it! Flooring too and allergies are an incurable condition that adults and children alike are faced with single!