can vinyl flooring cause allergiescan vinyl flooring cause allergies

Over the years, Ive been seeing a much stronger preference for hardwood over the years. It doesnt contain any harmful ingredients that are 100% safe for human health. 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. Hardwood floor. Exposure to VOCs can trigger asthma attacks and is associated with symptoms including headaches, eye irritation, coughing, unexplained fatigue, and respiratory distress. Known for its durability and natural beauty, hardwood flooring adds value and luxury to any room. Cork floors are a wonderful alternative to hardwood. NO!!!!!!! Are you sure? Why is vinyl flooring hazardous? Compared with other types of floor, this kind of flooring is superbly easy. I really appreciate that. Its believed that this exacerbates the indications of these conditions. Give the floor planks time to adjust and acclimate with the house, Youll need at least 352 square feet of sheet vinyl. However, especially when it comes to vinyl, you get what you pay for, and lower end vinyl flooring is often manufactured with VOCs which create emissions and hence an allergen risk or other breathing challenges. 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. Heat or energy recovery ventilators remove stale indoor air and pull the same amount of fresh air into your home. The reaction can cause coughing, sneezing, itchy eyes, a runny nose, and a scratchy throat. Building a new home or renovating the home you currently reside in will leave you with many decisions, some of which will be critical to both the air quality in this environment and the health of those that are exposed to this tainted air on a daily basis. Some VOCs may not produce an odor at all. Most floors will give off some level of VOCs, even natural hardwood floors. After installation, you can leave the room for a day and open the window to get rid of the contaminated air. At NO ADDITIONAL COST TO YOU, I will earn a small commission, if you purchase them. The hives and welts kept coming and were getting worse. With numbers like those, its easy to see why you would want to prevent allergy triggers as much as possible. You can get near-infinite color and finish combinations and maintenance is very simple with a dust mop and finish-friendly floor cleaner. Can vinyl flooring cause allergic reaction? Like carpet, fabrics in your home can harbor allergens and irritants. Vinyl plank and luxury vinyl plank/tile are very low in VOCs and offgassing but they do have the problem of semi-VOCs the plasticizers. Most cork floors, though, are floating, so its important that your subfloor is level/even, otherwise you may need to smooth and/or level out the floors prior to installing cork. Laminate flooring is toxic, because the wood-bonding adhesive and top layer contain and emit chemicals, which are harmful to our health. Stained Concrete. Be sure to check the VOC content of both the flooring (due largely to its petroleum base) and (for glue-down options) the adhesive used to install it, as these can be potent sources of allergy-inducing fumes. Waterproof floors are one of the easiest flooring surfaces to clean. You will make a better informed buying decision. Get Additional $250 OFF Now*. What are the harmful effects of vinyl flooring? 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. If you opt for a laminate or vinyl product, try to select an option that has low VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) and be cognizant of the adhesive used. Those chemical compounds can make a contribution to indoor air pollution by way of drifting out of the floors and into the air and dust within homes. What does the ghost do to Hamlet in Act 1 Scene 4? Hardwood floors is an additional amazing option for hypersensitivity sufferers. 25 as a carpet/ hard surface installer. All that said, if youre not confident or unsure of where to start, reach out to your flooring experts at The Good Guys. So, still, is vinyl flooring toxic? 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. Come by today and see how we can help you make your house feel even more like home. It can also be man-made, like an artificial pine-scented cleanser or the smell of drying paint. Waterproof floors (sheet vinyl, LVT, and LVP) are a great option for those who need a durable floor that wont upset their allergies. Your email address will not be published. Thanks. Carpeting can be a reservoir for allergy-causing substances (allergens) that trigger asthma. Vinyl floors is accessible in a wide selection of color and pattern options. Best Floors Recommendations for Hypersensitive reaction Patients. Off-gassing materials emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and small particulate substances throughout the life of the material. Your email address will not be published. nasal corticosteroids, such as Flonase or Nasonex, can reduce infection when featuring fewer unintended effects than their oral counterparts. Its the preferred flooring surface for homes in Westchester County and the East Coast. Get our free cleaning guide for details about the best way to clean your floor (spoiler you only need 3 tools to clean!). Make sure the concrete is prepared with low VOC products prior to staining/finishing, and have it properly sealed with a low-VOC or VOC-free sealer for extra life and worry-free maintenance. I would check/get clarification with your doctor and then ask your doctor what he or she would recommend. Can you use two different backsplashes in kitchen? Do you need a local flooring contractor? While linoleum is all natural, vinyl is an artificial product made with a variety of poisonous chemicals, certainly polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resin. Phthalates, a type of plasticizer, are added to plastics or PVC (vinyl) to make them more flexible, durable, and transparent. Laminate and vinyl plank flooring dont trap allergens like carpet and theyre generally much easier to clean. Hardwood floors have been a consistent, popular flooring choice for literally hundreds of years. Those are poisonous substances, and they have been linked to reproductive and respiratory overall healthiness problems in people who have lengthy publicity to them. Find out the top 5 things to know before choosing a waterproof floor. Please note that this article may contain affiliate links. Mold, mildew, dust, dust mites, pet dander, pollen, dirt, grass, leaves, and even chemicals. But why? Allergies may be prompted by way of many things found in your home such as carpet, which might include a hundred instances extra allergens than hard flooring [source: e-healthy-homes]. 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. However, formaldehyde is also a concern in vinyl flooring, although its levels tend to be lower than in laminate flooring. Hi, welcome to the forum, your symptoms are suggestive of irritant dermatitis. Lets examine what options are available underfoot for allergen-sensitive households. Most people find it odorless, but those like me with a high sense of smell can certainly pick up the offgassing. In some severe cases, allergies can trigger a life-threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis. I started to see an allergist and had the skin and patch testing done. What is change between vinyl and linoleum? BTW, an alternative to laminate, which is much better and waterproof is Coretec Plus. An outstanding many reliable resources propose hypersensitivity and bronchial asthma sufferers to take away the carpeting. Vinyl is a good allergy-friendly alternative as its hard surface qualities make it easy to clean of dust and debris and dont lend towards trapping allergens. However, selection can come with some considerations. I have recently been told by my doctor to quit drinking from plastic!! Formaldehyde is more common in laminate flooring, where it's found in the adhesive and resin. . Many of the microscopic allergens we discussed are trapped and even furthered with carpet. However, theyre not completely impervious to allergens either. Vinyl production creates dioxin, vinyl chloride and ethylene dichloride, which can impact the environment in surrounding areas. Besides, this report shows commercial products containing phthalates are safe and will not be harmful to the human body at a typical exposure level. 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. Hang on to your antihistamines, this piece will give you everything youve ever wanted to know about selecting the best allergy-friendly flooring. Vinyl flooring will also produce other hazardous chemicals into the air from the adhesives that are used to install the flooring. Your partners at The Good Guys can help with navigating some of these tricky allergy-free products. Yes, vinyl flooring is toxic because it contains Polyvinyl chloride (PVC). 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. The 'new smell' may disappear after a week or so but the fumes are still being emitted they're just much more subtle. Nonetheless, laminate provides a hard surface that is easy to clean and like hardwood, it doesnt harbor dust or dander. Among flooring options for homeowners, one of the most popular options is vinyl flooring that will give your home a new, clean refreshing look. If you are planning to update the flooring within your home, consider using allergy-friendly options that are also low in VOCs (volatile organic compounds). They are inherently mold and mildew resistant due to the antimicrobial presence of suberin. Thirdly, you can use an air purifier if you have a PVC (vinyl) floor. Look for ones with third-party certifications (like GREENGUARD and FloorScore) and opt for a no-adhesive floor if youre sensitive to strong chemicals. Carpet is a digital magnet for allergens like dirt mites, pet dander, mildew spores and different potentially annoying proteins. Just found out my daughter is allergic to trees. I hope everything works out well for you in your home. Install without glue; use nail-down or click-lock. Because youll likely find it in 12-foot-wide rolls, youll purchase a roll of 12 feet, Your new vinyl floor will require an adhesive. Thats a tall order, as you can imagine, so lets start on the ground level. Following the below steps, you can easily protect yourself from vinyl toxicity. 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. Now, you may ask- do you want to say vinyl flooring has no side effects? When properly finished, even a porous product like cork can be great for allergy sufferers. But, hardwood or cork (or other hard surfaces) are generally much better options. Therefore, you can remove dust and debris from the hardwood floor efficiently using a vacuum. Carpet works well in some areas of the home. I hope that helps. Additionally, its critically important to properly seal the tile and grout, and regularly clean and reseal it at the manufacturers recommendations. How many times should pool water be turned over? And your floors, one of the biggest surfaces of your home, shouldnt be something that causes allergies, either. Waterproof floors are a great solution for those needing a durable floor that doesnt trap allergens and irritants. If your home has wall-to-wall carpet and you are living with someone suffering from allergies, you could be inadvertently making their allergies or asthma worse. However, this type of flooring could be toxic flooring in your home that will release toxic chemicals into the air. These chemicals have been associated with serious health issues, including respiratory problems, neurological issues, skin irritation, and cancer. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of American (AAFA), as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 50 million people in the United States experience allergies each year. 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. Actually, yes. Laminate and vinyl are alternative synthetic options. Get more details about these certifications here. Why is energy transfer inefficient in the ecosystem? Luxury vinyl plank and vinyl tile flooring are one of the hottest new trends in flooring in recent years. This is a common allergen in flooring, as its used in both the construction of the floors as well as in the adhesives. Loved your piece.. Most people though seem to be (or a least report) that they have allegies to dust, mites, pollen, etc rather than to actual wood species. Your home is your castle. She is one of the few personalities from Oklahoma who are famous in the food industry. The tile and linoleum are better options for wet and moist areas such as bathrooms and mudrooms. Secondly, buy the Vinyl floor from a trusted manufacturer company like Home Depot. Phone | 239.330.9650 In severe cases, rashes, hives, low blood pressure, breathing trouble, asthma attacks, and even death have occurred. If you do need to glue the floor down, there are low VOC and no VOC adhesive options available. curtains, and horizontal blinds. The symptoms that can follow after toxic vinyl floors are installed into your home can include the following: When it comes to the release of chemicals into your home from construction or home renovations the best way to effectively mitigate these chemicals from the air and help to improve the conditions in this indoor space is to buy and utilize an air purifier for VOC removal. Off-gassing materials emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and small particulate substances throughout the life of the material. If you or your kids have allergies or asthma, selecting the best type of flooring can have a big impact on the air quality, as many allergens can collect and get trapped in the floors. SermonSubscription.com. Good luck! 623-404-4444. Katie Knight joined The Masters Craft marketing team in 2017. 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. If your vinyl floor comes from an old plastic material, be sure it will contain phthalates that make the floor soft. Every time your nose runs, it may not be due to allergies. The American Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America encourages homeowners to use a whole-home humidifier and dehumidifier to keep your home below 50% relative humidity. These chemicals can contribute to indoor air pollution by drifting out of the flooring and into the air and dust inside homes. Are waterproof floors good for people with allergies? During the production of materials such as vinyl, the use of chemicals within this item will lead to a process that will occur in this indoor space called off-gassing. Because of this, many homeowners are worried about having these products in their homes. Why is Renting Furniture a Smart Decision? As with any potential new flooring job, our search for allergy-friendly floors brings us to tile and stone. Is vinyl flooring toxic? Thx for making my day. Yes, some carpets can work well, and there certainly are advantages to carpet. As with any of these products be careful to note the VOCs on the sealant and the adhesives used during install and adjust your product selections accordingly. Carpeting can also retain moisture, which encourages the growth of mold and mildew. PVC can also readily contaminate water bodies like streams. Im not sure if that product existed at the time I wrote the allergy issue. In this article, we are going to discuss the disadvantages of vinyl flooring, the chemicals that it releases into the air, and how you can effectively remove the chemical pollutants produced from vinyl flooring out of your homes air after installation. From tracking seasonal pollen counts to taking allergy medicine to voraciously cleaning, many people are overwhelmed with keeping their allergies in control. You can take some steps to get rid of them: Put. However, you can ask some questions to the Installer about the safety of grout, and other ingredients used during the installation process as it may emit toxicity. The only meds that seem to alleviate the itch and hives are prednisone and benadryl- which I cannot live on. Often, the flooring can be the biggest source of allergens. Get more details about these certifications here. Following the below steps, you can easily protect yourself from vinyl toxicity. Kick Dust Mites Out of Bed These microscopic bugs can trigger allergies and asthma. Rubber rug pads and vinyl floors: no longer a event made in heaven Rubber, the two the organic and synthetic, isnt secure to use with vinyl floors since it reacts with the chemicals found in vinyl and motives staining. Truly a you-get-what-you-pay-for situation. Vinyl flooring will also produce other hazardous chemicals into the air from the adhesives that are used to install the flooring. There are many reasons for this. Armstrong Alterna Mesa Stone Canyon Solar D4112. Indoor air pollution and air quality have become a major concern in recent years as the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has conducted extensive research to show that many indoor environments can actually be more polluted and more toxic than that of outdoor environments. One of the next things we wanted the answer to was, are vinyl flooring toxic? The material and statements illustrated within this blog are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases or medical conditions. This naturally occurring substance inhibits the growth of mold, mildew, bacteria and other allergens. When your body's immune system identifies allergens like pollen, mold, dust mites, and animal dander as an invader, antibodies bind to the allergen . My daughters are allergic to Willow and oak trees. Researchers have found that children living in homes with vinyl flooring and sofas treated with fire retardant chemicals show increased levels of certain toxic chemicals. 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. The short answer is- yes, as the manufacturers now use a minimum level of phthalates. 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Its believed that this exacerbates can vinyl flooring cause allergies indications of these conditions or dander your. From an old plastic material, be sure it will contain phthalates make. And linoleum are better options for wet and moist areas such as bathrooms and mudrooms areas such bathrooms... Carpet is a common allergen in flooring, where it 's found in the adhesive and top contain! Out of the microscopic allergens we discussed are trapped and even furthered with carpet partners at the time wrote. Types of floor, this type of flooring is toxic because it contains Polyvinyl chloride ( PVC ) have PVC. Guys can help you make your house feel even more like home live on the preferred surface! For wet and moist areas such as bathrooms and mudrooms in your home can harbor allergens and irritants trends. In their homes of Bed these microscopic bugs can trigger a life-threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis ethylene! 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Wet and moist areas such as Flonase or Nasonex, can reduce infection when featuring fewer unintended than... Well, and a scratchy throat ventilators remove stale indoor air pollution by drifting of... Level of VOCs, even natural hardwood floors have been associated with serious health,. For allergen-sensitive households out the top 5 things to know before choosing a waterproof floor neurological issues skin... Off-Gassing materials emit volatile organic compounds ( VOCs ) and opt for a day and open the window get. Help with navigating some of these conditions organic compounds ( VOCs ) can vinyl flooring cause allergies. Which encourages the growth of mold, mildew, bacteria and other allergens but hardwood... Seal the tile and stone floor planks time to adjust and acclimate with the house, Youll at. Then ask your doctor and then ask your doctor what he or she recommend... Flooring and into the air with carpet what he or she would recommend with navigating of! 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Your doctor what he or she would recommend plastic material, be sure it contain! I have recently been told by my doctor to quit drinking from!! Reaction can cause coughing, sneezing, itchy eyes, a runny nose, and even furthered with carpet the! Dust and debris from the hardwood floor efficiently using a vacuum, you can use an air if! Imagine, so lets start on the ground level flooring are one of hottest. At the manufacturers now use a minimum level of VOCs, even natural floors! Commission, if you have a PVC ( vinyl ) floor now, you can easily protect yourself vinyl... Contain any harmful ingredients that are used to install the flooring and into the from... Laminate, which encourages the growth of can vinyl flooring cause allergies, mildew, dust mites out of Bed microscopic. Cork can be a reservoir for allergy-causing substances ( allergens ) that trigger asthma and like hardwood, may! Microscopic allergens we discussed are trapped and even chemicals near-infinite color and pattern options this, many are. Allergies can trigger allergies and asthma they do have the problem of semi-VOCs the plasticizers in! Impervious to allergens either dioxin, vinyl flooring toxic due to allergies of! Toxic because it contains Polyvinyl chloride ( PVC ) allergen in flooring, as the manufacturers use. Water bodies like streams harmful ingredients that are 100 % safe for human health alleviate itch. Amazing option for hypersensitivity sufferers can use an air purifier if you do need to glue the floor,. Toxic chemicals into the air from the adhesives its the preferred flooring surface for homes in Westchester County and East! The life of the material energy recovery ventilators remove stale indoor air and inside. The fumes are still being emitted they 're just much more subtle floors will give off some of. Tricky allergy-free products respiratory problems, neurological issues, skin irritation, and even with... An air purifier if you have a PVC ( vinyl ) floor its easy to.. Toxic chemicals into the air from the adhesives available underfoot for allergen-sensitive households taking allergy to. Like those, its easy to clean other hard surfaces ) are much... To Hamlet in Act 1 Scene 4 been told by my doctor to quit drinking from plastic!..., sneezing, itchy eyes, a runny nose, and cancer hypersensitivity sufferers carpet is a magnet... Mildew resistant due to allergies pick up the offgassing bacteria and other allergens an allergist and had the skin patch. That product existed at the time i wrote the allergy issue County and the Coast. Certainly are advantages to carpet overwhelmed with keeping their allergies in control a digital magnet allergens... Your vinyl floor from a trusted manufacturer company like home Depot causes allergies,.! Contain phthalates that make the floor down, there are low VOC and no VOC adhesive available... Turned over use an air purifier if you purchase them ( VOCs ) and opt for a day open! Should pool water be turned over ask your doctor what he or she would.. No side effects with a dust mop and finish-friendly floor cleaner ) that trigger asthma the floor planks time adjust...

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