Specifically, vinyl plank and luxury vinyl plank or luxury vinyl tile flooring are low in VOCs and at low risk for off-gassing. Rolled vinyl flooring is typically higher in off-gassing risk levels.
But it's true—vinyl flooring can also contain harmful VOCs and other chemicals. The good news: low-VOC vinyl flooring has come a long way in recent years. These days, if you know what to look for, it's totally possible to find vinyl plank, LVT, and vinyl sheet that do right by your home and your health.
Generally speaking, floors with a nontoxic seal or finish have the lowest VOC levels. These include solid hardwood floors, polished concrete, and tile. Keep in mind that every flooring option comes with a lot of variety. Take the time to consider the different materials and finishes available to you.
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. These toxic chemicals can be harmful to air quality of the immediate environment it's installed in and may cause respiratory problems over time.
Healthier flooring options include solid wood, natural linoleum, cork, bamboo, tile and stone. A key feature of all of these is that they are easily cleaned of dust and dirt.
Wood. The best option of course is hardwood due to its natural durability and classic elegance. Just like the above example, wood is naturally sustainable that doesn't contain any trace of formaldehyde.
Ceramic, Porcelain & Glass Tile
Tile is a safe, non-toxic flooring option that is easy to maintain. Ceramic, porcelain and glass tiles are all durable options for solid-surface flooring and are a great option for rooms with moisture, like bathrooms and kitchens.
If you have vinyl flooring, consider using an air purifier designed to remove VOCs like phthalates from your indoor air so you can breathe easier. Dust and vacuum frequently with a HEPA filter vacuum.
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.
After 9 days total VOCs showed a rapid decrease and after that stayed at a very low level for a few months. The study concluded, "PVC floorings after 10 days of installation in the room should not be source of indoor air contamination."
When it comes to environmental impact, laminate has a slight edge over vinyl thanks to its recycled wood core. However, the melamine wear layer on the surface is still made of plastic, which may off-gas VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that can be harmful to people and pets.
To summarize, vinyl is a better choice when you need water resistance, lifespan, and durability in your flooring. Meanwhile, laminate is preferable if you want a more stylish appearance, lower costs, and a comfortable feel underfoot.
The VOCs given off by vinyl flooring are principally treatment chemicals used when the flooring is being manufactured. Over time, though, the flooring material can release these compounds into your home air. This is especially true as the material gets old and begins to break down.
Some phthalates are even known to be cancer-causing. Luxury vinyl flooring is known to emit these toxins.
When vinyl fumes are overpowering you with pungent odors that can last for days, just take the source outside and lay it out in the warm sunshine. Turn the offending item over every few hours, and the smell that would have lasted days will be gone in less than 24 hours.
Increase Fresh Air Ventilation
Bringing in fresh air is key to limiting VOC concentrations in your home, especially after cooking, using a wood fireplace, or doing arts and crafts.
Carbon air filters can capture a lot of VOCs quickly if the airflow rate through the filter is high enough. This makes carbon filters a decent option for short-term situations where you need to quickly “soak” up a lot of VOCs.
Vinegar is an acid condiment shared all over the world. According to the raw materials, vinegar can be mainly divided into fruit and cereal ones, both of which possess unique aroma and flavor characteristics and corresponding volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
PVC is hazardous to both the environment and human health. There are many reasons for this. First, the production of PVC causes the release of toxins into the environment. Notably, it releases dioxins, which are highly-toxic compounds that pollute the environment and can cause serious human health problems.
Hard-surface flooring materials that are non-absorptive, chemical resistant, and monolithic, such as resinous flooring, are the most hygienic flooring options. Resinous flooring consists of a solid and impermeable surface.
Home Depot Eliminates Toxic Chemicals From Paint, Flooring, and Insulation. Home Depot, the largest building product retailer in the U.S., has announced a sweeping new Chemical Strategy that considers several building product categories, including carpet, fiberglass insulation, paints, and laminate flooring.