After installation, clean the floors regularly, keep a healthy home environment, and use other products that dont use irritating chemicals. However, this type of flooring although it seems like the perfect flooring to select in your home, it actually is packed full of toxic chemicals that can pollute your indoor air and possibly effect the health of those exposed to this environment. Certain foods can cause irritant contact dermatitis. When it comes to construction inside your home like the installation of new flooring, the EnviroKlenz Air System will be able to pull the contaminated air from the toxins produced from the new flooring and filter out the VOCs, formaldehyde, PVC and other chemicals that are off-gassed into the air as well as break down and neutralize the odors created from these released chemicals. Long popular for their durability, style, high-end appearance and variety, tile and stone are good allergy-friendly options for flooring if attention is paid to the selection, style, and installation. 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. Spoiler Alert: Carpet is the worst. You can easily overcome this issue by keeping the window open for several days to eliminate the VOCs from the room. PVC is hazardous to both the environment and human health. As stated above, there is no cure for allergies. I have recently been told by my doctor to quit drinking from plastic!! A recent study found that most 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. Read more here. From tracking seasonal pollen counts to taking allergy medicine to voraciously cleaning, many people are overwhelmed with keeping their allergies in control. Polished marble and granite look great and are allergy-friendly options, but they can be slick underfoot, so factor that into any decision. We also cover the big question, What does waterproof mean, exactly?. These type of floors (including hardwood, cork, and LVT) are easy to clean and dont trap allergens like carpet does. But it is 2021, and the manufacturing companies care about the health issue as well as the environment. This makes them incredibly easy to clean, which is especially helpful during allergy season. I really appreciate that. There is an array of different air purifiers that are currently available to consumers that can all focus and mitigate certain pollutants from the environment such as noxious odors, allergens, particulates, and even chemicals from the air. Cork is also an eco-friendly product. There are so many flooring options available, so dont feel limited just because you have allergies or asthma. On top of that, flooring manufacturer companies now produce phthalate-free or non-toxic LVP surfaces. 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. Be sure to check the levels and presence of one particular VOC: Formaldehyde. It is so horribletopical benedryl works but I cannot do that for the rest of my life.Maybe I can give up food shopping.hehe. Always consult your medical physician for any specific medical advice or recommendations., ENVIROKLENZ Vinyl is produced using petroleum, which isn't a renewable resource. From the chemicals produced from the actual vinyl itself to the chemical (VOCs) used to install the vinyl like the adhesives, they can all create a toxic environment for your home. Call Now and save. The brand really shouldnt matter for allergies. I recently had adopted 2 kittens, so I thought maybe it was flea bites, but it was not. Loved your piece.. The results of the aforementioned study actually show how vinyl floors were considered to be toxic. Laminate flooring is toxic. Like sturdy hardwood, cork and bamboo are allergy-friendly healthy floors options. Dust, mold, animal dander and hair, are all easily addressed with a dust mop and regular cleaning with an appropriate hardwood floor cleaner. The symptoms that can follow after toxic vinyl floors are installed into your home can include the following: Eye, nose, and throat irritation Headaches Nausea Allergic skin reaction Fatigue Dizziness Conjunctival irritation And liver and kidney damage Construction air purifier for VOCs When properly finished, even a porous product like cork can be great for allergy sufferers. Is Cleaning Products Safe for Vinyl Planks? Now i am planning for vinyl flooring. So, you can install it in your home without any hesitation as it is non-toxic. Over the past several years, some waterproof and laminate floors have developed a reputation for having high levels of VOCs. How is your daughter surviving if she is allergic to trees. Ive never heard of someone being allergic to trees. 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. It's durable, easy to clean and comes in a variety of trendsetting colors, patterns, and looks. Over 14 billion pounds of vinyl flooring is manufactured in the United States each year and installed into homes and other indoor spaces. Conversely to hardwood floors, vinyl flooring cannot be repaired and it has a somewhat shorter lifespan than that of real wood floors. However, this type of flooring could be toxic flooring in your home that will release toxic chemicals into the air. Cork floors are a wonderful alternative to hardwood. What are common allergens? Unlike vinyl, which is petroleum based, linoleum is made with linseed oil and its eco-friendly. Im not sure if that product existed at the time I wrote the allergy issue. As stated above, there is no cure for allergies. How to Clean Vinyl Plank Flooring? The short answer is, yes. First, the production of PVC causes the release of toxins into the environment. Now, you may ask- do you want to say vinyl flooring has no side effects? Truly a you-get-what-you-pay-for situation. Just found out my daughter is allergic to trees. According to the AAFA, an allergy is a reaction within your immune system to a foreign substance in or in contact with your body. Lots of more affordable rug pad possibilities are made using one of those plastic known as PVC. These chemicals can contribute to indoor air pollution by drifting out of the flooring and into the air and dust inside homes. Ceramic Tile. Its production generates toxic chemicals. Does eliminating carpet certainly assist allergies? As a result, it may cause respiratory issues over time. Click to schedule Free Estimate. She loves being outdoors, finding new music, and testing out new recipes in the kitchen. Here is what my research found. Off-gassing can last between six months and five years depending on the household item and the chemicals used to treat it. How many times should pool water be turned over? What can I do after installation to prevent allergens from living in my home. 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. If possible, replace carpet with tile, vinyl flooring, or wood . Phone | 239.330.9650 As the materials (phthalate) are used in the final production process of LVP, it emits a level of VOCs into the air for a short amount of time after installation. Carpet is a digital magnet for allergens like dirt mites, pet dander, mildew spores and different potentially annoying proteins. Honestly, vinyl plank flooring has minimum health issues. By using this Site you agree to the following, By using this Site you agree to the following. My heart was set on laminate, now what do I do? And while many people go to a lot of trouble to allergy-proof their home, they often overlook one of the largest producers of allergy triggers in the home: the floor. Required fields are marked *. Weve created a free guide that goes through everything you need to know when buying a waterproof floor. Linoleum. But, it may have a tad of wood shavings in the core. Check out my ebook Discover the 6 Secrets of Refinishing Hardwood floors. What are the different types of waterproof flooring? Indeed, Home Depot stopped using ortho-phthalates to produce vinyl floors in 2015. 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). Higher-end vinyl products typically are the better option for both durability and VOC content. As long as you are very mindful of what finishes and adhesives are used. A recent study found that most vinyl flooring, made from reprocessed plastic, contained toxic phthalates, lead, cadmium, brominated flame retardants, and other toxic chemicals. From new paint, new furniture, wall additions inside the home, and even the removal and replacing of new flooring can all be potential sources of the entrance of hazardous chemicals into the indoor air of your home. With numbers like those, its easy to see why you would want to prevent allergy triggers as much as possible. 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. Theyre here to help with all your questions from allergy-friendly product selection, to installation and maintenance. However one thing to make sure of when considering . If youre interested in buying some cork flooring online, check out US Floors Natural Cork line. Use natural linoleum or tile made in the U.S. GREENGUARD tests flooring and many other products for over 10,000 chemicals to certify that they give off low emissions. But the report back to 2015 by Healthy Stuff revealed that 58% of vinyl flooring tiles contain phthalates. Armstrong and Designers Image is another floor retailer that offers eco-friendly LVP flooring. 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. The material and statements illustrated within this blog are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases or medical conditions. However, as phthalates are used during the final production, it may emit VOCs that may be harmful to human health. 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. These chemicals have been associated with serious health issues, including respiratory problems, neurological issues, skin irritation, and cancer. Laminate flooring also wins out over vinyl when it comes to environmental sustainability. I started to see an allergist and had the skin and patch testing done. Some dispute the negative relationship of carpeting to allergies, but there is no doubt that it holds more dust, dirt and moisture than any other kind of flooring, making it an ideal environment for dust mites. 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. I hope that helps. Find one here. 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. As theyre chemical-based, they have the potential for immediate and timed-release of Volatile Organic Compounds (or VOCs). 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