Last Updated on December 11, 2023 by Kimberly Crawford
Everyone cares about health, and you won’t allow your house to be among the dangers to your health. Is vinyl flooring toxic? You will need to understand the components that make the vinyl flooring. The leading material is polyvinyl chloride (PVC). What do we know about polyvinyl chloride?
It will be wise to understand what makes up the vinyl flooring. Notably, the components making up the vinyl are phthalates with many additives. Additives may not be toxic, but phthalates are the health risk factors.
It will be prudent to be cautious about the quality that you are buying. Health conditions that the vinyl can cause include asthma, cancer, lung, kidney, and other issues.
The fact that vinyl is inexpensive makes it quite enticing. The ease of installation and durability remain the primary reasons why it is among the best.
So, is it toxic?
Arguably, vinyl flooring can be toxic. Its toxicity is not in excess because we are talking about components making up the vinyl. PVC is not the only compound, but other materials may pose issues.
Phthalates
The leading component that accounts for over 60% of vinyl is the phthalates. Phthalates are the popular softeners that give PVC its soft nature. Many studies about the effects of PVC on animals and humans are available.
Long-term exposure may cause issues such as lung cancer, liver cancer, and other issues. There is a report explaining the effects of phthalates in disrupting the endocrine system. So, conclusively, we can say that the raw materials that the manufacturers use to make the vinyl flooring can be toxic.
Do you often suffer asthma and you have the vinyl flooring installed in your house? Maybe it is time you take it seriously. There is a close relationship between phthalate exposure and asthma. Children born to mothers living in a room with vinyl flooring suffer a greater risk of asthma.
Plasticizers
Additives such as plasticizers also pose a health risk. Notably, they cannot have a chemical bonding with vinyl. It will, therefore, allow them to leach. When plasticizers start leaching, it means that it can contaminate the environment. It becomes a risk component for pets, children, and even the old.
You may be wondering about how possible it can risk your health. We always inhale air, it will be good if we inhale clean air, but what happens when unhealthy compounds evaporate in the air? You risk damaging your lungs! Crawling kids will be picking things in the floor, and it will be sad if it will be some of these components
Is it possible to get non-toxic vinyl flooring?
Yes, some companies are distributing toxin-free vinyl flooring. There are specific raw materials that are harmful, and some companies are now beginning to phase out these components.
When buying vinyl flooring, everyone chooses something durable, elegant, and versatile. The most common types that often lead the market are vinyl and linoleum. Linoleum is longer lasting than vinyl.
Linoleum flooring is more advantageous than vinyl since it uses eco-friendly materials such as cork, pine, wood flour, and oil. The majority of the materials making up the linoleum flooring is biodegradable. Vinyl uses synthetic materials like resin, PVC, and many types of additives.
You may not find a toxic-free vinyl. You only need to be sure that the manufacturer is trying to minimize the toxicity. Employing the best practices can help reduce the severe nature of the toxins.
You should consider other brands such as real hardwood which is more eco-friendly if you care about your health. You may use options for other materials such as hardwood, tile, polished concrete, and other brands.
It is hard to find vinyl free from toxins. How toxic is the vinyl?
The level of toxicity is low in the majority of vinyl flooring. The concentration of toxic substances is too low to cause a health alarm. You only need to use the modern vinyl planks for flooring.
There is real evidence of toxicity in substances making vinyl flooring, but the concentration is not enough to cause a health risk. The effects on the air, water, and the environment are also negligible. The only worry is if someone is exposed to it for a very long time and maybe someone has undelaying health issues.
Bottom line
To conclude, vinyl flooring is indeed toxic, but its toxicity is not sufficient to cause a health issue. The truth that the components they use are harmful may not qualify it to be worse.
It may take lots more concentration to make it a health hazard. The companies making vinyl products should focus on improving the quality and trying to minimize the use of harmful components. If they do this, it will be easier to change the history of vinyl flooring materials.