Despite the versatility and durability of vinyl, some groups, including the nonprofit Center for Health, Environment & Justice, advise against buying any vinyl flooring, particularly for homes with small children, citing vinyl's lead and phthalate risks.
Look for a hardwood product with a polyurethane finish, as this increases its durability to withstand wear and tear over the years. Hardwood flooring can be accompanied by an area rug to enhance the safety of your baby and add to the aesthetic of your home.
Q: How long does vinyl flooring off-gas? A: The most significant off-gassing typically occurs right after installation. However, lower levels of VOC emissions may continue for weeks or even months. Good ventilation can significantly speed up this process.
Vinyl chloride is carcinogenic, flammable, and explosive, and when burned it creates dioxins – some of the most persistent and toxic chemicals known to humankind. Infants and children are especially at risk for developing cancer and immune system problems when they are exposed to it.
Phthalates can also affect the endocrine system, causing changes in hormone cell signal pathways and disrupting reproductive health. Some phthalates are even known to be cancer-causing. Luxury vinyl flooring is known to emit these toxins.
For a short time after installation, vinyl flooring emits what is known as volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. These are gasses that can have a long-term impact on your health and are also dangerous for the environment. They can be especially hazardous to those with respiratory problems.
Short-term exposure to vinyl chloride in the air can result in irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. Vinyl chloride exposure can also cause dizziness, sleepiness, headache, nausea, or tingling in the arms and legs.
Despite the versatility and durability of vinyl, some groups, including the nonprofit Center for Health, Environment & Justice, advise against buying any vinyl flooring, particularly for homes with small children, citing vinyl's lead and phthalate risks.
Many children's school supplies, such as lunchboxes, backpacks and binders, can be made out of PVC-a toxic plastic that is dangerous to our health and the environment. PVC contains dangerous chemical additives including phthalates, lead, cadmium, and/or organotins, which can be toxic to your child's health.
Since it's made completely of synthetic materials, vinyl flooring is unrecyclable. It also won't decompose naturally in landfills. Since it's made completely from synthetic materials, it'll emit harmful VOCs after installation at a higher rate than laminate floors and contribute to indoor air pollution.
Healthier flooring options include solid wood, natural linoleum, cork, bamboo, tile and stone.
If you're especially sensitive to scents, a bed with strong off-gassing odors may cause unwanted symptoms, such as headaches, nausea, or dizziness. Individuals with respiratory issues, such as asthma or allergies, could also experience irritation of the airway and difficulty breathing.
Sunning is great for outgassing everyday items, but how do you sun a new home or renovated room? You don't. Instead, you apply the principles of fresh air, ventilation and heat to speed the removal of VOCs from formaldehyde-containing cabinets, vinyl-containing flooring or paint, for example.
Factors such as the number of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the flooring, the temperature and humidity of the room, and the ventilation in the space can all affect how quickly the off-gassing process will occur. In general, however, most floors will off-gas for anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.
Vinyl nursery floors
Vinyl flooring is another excellent option for children's rooms. Its softness means kids don't have to play around on a hard, cold surface.
Vinyl floors are a popular choice for children's bedrooms because they have so many characteristics that make them tough enough to deal with anything a child can throw it. They're comfortable and quiet underfoot, resistant to scratches, stains and moisture, easy to install and maintain, and they're affordable.
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC or vinyl) is the most toxic plastic for our health and the environment. For more than 30 years, leading health, environmental justice, and health-impacted organizations across the country and world have been campaigning to phase out this poison plastic.
Six studies from four different prospective cohorts report that gestational BBzP, DEHP, di-butyl phthalate (DBP), and di-ethyl phthalate (DEP) exposures are associated with alterations in infant/toddler physical development as well as parent-reported externalizing, internalizing, and autistic-like child behavior.
PVC has also been blamed for emitting chemical softeners called phthalates (in vinyl flooring), lead additives (in blinds), and toxic glues. For instance, one study of PVC shower curtains found that they released phthalates capable of causing nausea and damage to the liver and reproductive system.
VOC stands for Volatile Organic Compounds. These compounds are chemicals that can easily evaporate into the air at room temperature. They are commonly found in various household products, including paints, adhesives, cleaning supplies, and yes, even in certain types of flooring materials, including vinyl.
These are made from a mix up of organic and non-organic ingredients: Linseed oil, cork, clay, chalk and pin resin are some of the ingredients usually used in linoleum floors. Is laminate floor safe for children and safe for the family? Absolutely.
Ultimately, when choosing flooring, you can rest assured that vinyl's performance is built to withstand the busiest lifestyle. Vinyl flooring is practical, easy to maintain, affordable and meant to last a long time in your home.
Some forms of vinyl and laminate flooring are considered to be toxic. This is because certain types can contain reprocessed plastic and other toxic chemicals including cadmium, toxic phthalates and lead. These flooring materials can give off toxic fumes that can impact air quality through a process called off-gassing.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has classified vinyl chloride as known to be a human carcinogen (cause cancer). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified vinyl chloride as a known human carcinogen by the inhalation route of exposure.
Vinyl/PVC
However, vinyl is dangerous on two levels. First, some chemicals associated with PVC are recognized carcinogens. Second, the plasticizers that are traditionally used to soften the hard PVC plastic and make it flexible enough to use as mattress pads or protectors are phthalates.