Floorings that are high in VOCsaka volatile organic compoundscan be harmful to everyone, but they are especially hard on those who already have sensitive allergies. My heart was set on laminate, now what do I do? Best Floors Recommendations for Hypersensitive reaction Patients. Get Additional $250 OFF Now*. Allergy sufferers should avoid the deep pile of most carpets as these tend to hold allergens from dust mites, mold, pollen, pet dander, as well as dirt. Those dwelling with asthma or hypersensitivity symptoms have traditionally been told to take away all carpet in the home due to the fact carpet traps allergens. 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. This naturally occurring substance inhibits the growth of mold, mildew, bacteria and other allergens. 2420 McIver Lane, Ste 102Carrollton, TX 75006, Use left/right arrows to navigate the slideshow or swipe left/right if using a mobile device, more than 50 million people in the United States experience allergies each year, Best (& Worst) Flooring for Allergies & Asthma, Engineered Hardwood contains several layers of actual wood, Hardwood floors are consistently rated as one of the most allergy-friendly choices on the market, concrete is a very allergy-friendly flooring option, choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. VOCs are organic gases that are released as materials degrade over time and can cause allergic reactions, headaches, and respiratory distress or infections. swollen, bluish-colored skin beneath the eyes trouble sleeping You may experience additional symptoms if you have asthma and are allergic to dust mites. If a flood happens in the space, you can remove the flooring boards to let the subfloor and flooring boards dry. The PVC will create a large number of toxic chemicals like dioxins and phthalates that are released into the air and can produce toxic fumes into the environment. They are inherently mold and mildew resistant due to the antimicrobial presence of suberin. When properly installed and sealed with an allergy-friendly polyurethane-style clearcoat, hardwood floors do not harbor microorganisms like dust mites or trap dirt, dust, or other tracked in allergens. I hope everything works out well for you in your home. But, hardwood or cork (or other hard surfaces) are generally much better options. Vinyl also does not provide any increase in property value (but . To help keep dust, pollen, and dirt out of the house, use walk-off mats near doors and have a no-shoes-inside policy. 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. You can read my full disclosure at the bottom of the page. It's durable, easy to clean and comes in a variety of trendsetting colors, patterns, and looks. Regardless of which flooring surface you use, its important to keep the floors clean. Phthalates are known toxins, exposing both humans and pets to the risk of asthma, cancer, kidney, lung, and even reproductive health problems. Mold, mildew, dust, dust mites, pet dander, pollen, dirt, grass, leaves, and even chemicals. Is Cleaning Products Safe for Vinyl Planks? Why is vinyl flooring hazardous? I have been trying to figure out my allergy for almost the past year. Concrete? Vinyl production creates dioxin, vinyl chloride and ethylene dichloride, which can impact the environment in surrounding areas. That base layer is often man-made materials bonded together with a chemical adhesive. Your email address will not be published. But most of the websites that sell laminate floors or other types of flooring mislead us using some authoritative resources link. NO!!!!!!! As the modern vinyl flooring plank is made from phthalate-free materials, they have a minimum risk to your health. Yes, even hardwood flooring or laminates can cause allergies or asthma. Laminate floors is more largely used in other rooms of the home, yet its an affordable alternative for kitchen flooring. But you can manage allergies with prevention and treatment. 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. Carpeting in the bedroom can be especially problematic because it exposes you to carpet dust throughout the night. 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. Laminate flooring also wins out over vinyl when it comes to environmental sustainability. Never fully immerse the floor with water as this can cause water damage. However, selection can come with some considerations. Call Now and save. Pet hair itself is not an allergen. Often, the flooring can be the biggest source of allergens. How lengthy does it take for vinyl to off gas? Taking these steps will make your home more peaceful and keep your allergies at bay. However, theyre all still carpet and pad and can trap, store, and even attract allergens. That is a great recommendation. GREENGUARD and FloorScore are leading organizations that certify floors as healthy options for indoor installations. It consists of a melamine resin formaldehyde, which is often close to the surface of the laminate. Here are the vinyl floors products Shopper Reviews recommends: Tarkett NAFCO PermaStone Collection-Natural Slate-Sand Stone NS-660. Additionally, when seasonal allergies are at their high, avoid opening your windows. Your partners at The Good Guys can help with navigating some of these tricky allergy-free products. Solid wood, bamboo or eucalyptus flooring would be excellent allergy friendly floors. While carpet is an obvious aggravator of allergies, there are many other flooring finishes that are not ideal for the people who suffer from allergies. In the Spring I began to get hives/welts and little red dots that would appear on my skin of my arms and legs that were exposed. I have a systemic reaction going on because of it! But for those who are affected by allergies, flooring takes on a whole new meaning. The cost is usually thirty to fifty percent less. An allergen can be eaten, inhaled into your lungs, injected into your body or simply something you touched. Common culprits include citrus fruits, raw onions, garlic, tomatoes, peppers and chillies. Those are poisonous substances, and they have been linked to reproductive and respiratory overall healthiness problems in people who have lengthy publicity to them. However, theyre also found in indoor plants, bedding, and pillows, mattresses, stuffed toys, soft furniture, on pets, and in damp areas such as basements, kitchens and bathrooms. At present, the manufacturer companies stop using phthalates and provide phthalate-free LVP floor. 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. Although vinyl plank floors have exceptional qualities, they do have some disadvantages. Laminate flooring is toxic. This guidebook shares insights and knowledge from the Eckard's family's more than 50 years of experience in the home and commercial flooring business. These chemicals can contribute to indoor air pollution by drifting out of the flooring and into the air and dust inside homes. 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. 24301 Walden Center Drive Suite 300 Ive been in the flooring business 46 years. How does Fahrenheit 451 relate to real life? The consumer reports make the aware homeowners shock as phthalates have to link to asthma, or even it will be a reason for cancer. Most scientists will tell you that vinyl flooring is not suitable for your health because of the component ( PVC) it contains. Fax | 941.866.0428 This site is owned by The Flooring Girl LLC, a subsidiary of Dynamo Marketers. If you're allergic to allergens in your carpet, symptoms can include: 2 Runny nose Congestion Sneezing Red, itchy eyes Swollen eyes and/or lips Rash Wheezing Chest tightness Shortness of breath Coughing Symptoms of VOC Exposure Exposure to VOCs can cause: 3 Eye, nose, and throat irritation Nausea Vomiting Bleeding from your nose Shortness of breath Yes, vinyl flooring is toxic because it contains Polyvinyl chloride (PVC). 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. 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. Most people find it odorless, but those like me with a high sense of smell can certainly pick up the offgassing. The Content on this Site is presented in a summary fashion, and is intended to be used for educational and entertainment purposes only. If you have carpet, or area rugs (or are required to have carpet), low pile (including looped carpets) are better options and so are natural fiber carpets such as wool or sisal. All those adhesives and man-made materials are potential sources of allergens. Your email address will not be published. Like carpet, fabrics in your home can harbor allergens and irritants. However, many waterproof flooring manufacturers use materials that are safe for those with allergies and asthma and that meet rigorous indoor air quality certifications. For example, a website that ranks on Google First page uses this, to ensure phthalate increases the risk of allergies for children, How to protect yourself from the toxic vinyl floor. Vinyl tile flooring is constructed of new or recycled polyvinyl chloride or PVC that is known to be one of the most environmentally hazardous consumer materials that are produced for flooring. Laminate floors is more advantageous in terms of fading. How many times should pool water be turned over? It doesnt also emit any harmful chemicals into the air and has no health issues. Because of this, most physicians recommend that people with severe allergies or asthma get their wall-to-wall carpeting removed. Here are 3 things you can do to prevent allergens and irritants from living in your home. Why is energy transfer inefficient in the ecosystem? Bonita Springs, Florida 34134 Loved your piece.. I'm cursed. What are the pros and cons of engineered hardwood? How do I stop my windows from sweating in the winter? Engineered hardwoods are most frequently glued down using adhesives. But the report back to 2015 by Healthy Stuff revealed that 58% of vinyl flooring tiles contain phthalates. In addition to being a design and flooring option increasing in popularity, when treated properly and decoratively finished, concrete is a very allergy-friendly flooring option. Its durable, easy to clean and comes in a variety of trendsetting colors, patterns, and looks. She loves being outdoors, finding new music, and testing out new recipes in the kitchen. Is vinyl flooring toxic? 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. I have all the same plastic issues, however, I have also been dealing with stomach issues about the same length of time. Always check your VOC contents on all the products involved in the installation and look for low- or VOC-free options for adhesives and sealants. 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. Steam . Remember if youre just dealing with the carpet youre missing 50% of the area in which allergens hide. How ever, a short dense yarn or tight looped styled carpet will act more like a hard surface when it comes to dust, pollens and soil. These adhesives will contain lead and other VOCs that once it becomes acclimated to room temperature will turn into a gas and consequently off gas into the air. Ok, lets start with the bad news first. Multi-width vinyl flooring is a type of vinyl in which the planks, Vinyl floors naturally tend to expand and contract with the temperature and humidity. Be aware this may exist in the plywood subfloors or even some engineered wood products used in the construction of your home. Even solid hardwood (which is often the best choice), can result in sneezes (as well as scratches) if you dont keep it clean. The short answer is- yes, as the manufacturers now use a minimum level of phthalates. Like Linoleum, ceramic tile is also a non-toxic flooring option. and along with that, carpet cleaner, hay, grass, I'm not sure what it was but something in the strap of my brathat one was bad, laytex. Vinyl flooring will also produce other hazardous chemicals into the air from the adhesives that are used to install the flooring. Sheet vinyl floors additionally involves phthalate plasticizers for flexibility. Required fields are marked *. Armstrong Alterna Mesa Stone Canyon Solar D4112. As stated above, there is no cure for allergies. Besides, this report shows commercial products containing phthalates are safe and will not be harmful to the human body at a typical exposure level. What is the finest medication for dirt allergy? Allergy Management ALLERGY 14 NHS Guide to Healthy Living A llergy is said to affect as many as 40% of children and 30% of adults in the U.K. with wood or vinyl flooring;change vacuum bags regularly and vacuum upholstered furniture at least twice a week. It can seem tempting to do, especially when the weather is nice, but you might invite pollen in with the fresh air. I started to see an allergist and had the skin and patch testing done. In some severe cases, allergies can trigger a life-threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis. Use natural linoleum or tile made in the U.S. Nonetheless, laminate provides a hard surface that is easy to clean and like hardwood, it doesnt harbor dust or dander. The materials contaminate the air, and when you breathe in, it goes into your body. Help!! 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 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. In addition to natural allergies like dust and mold, some flooring contains volatile organic compounds ( VOCs) that can also trigger allergies in some people. My question is how do I verify this allergy- is there a test- and how do I treat it??? Like sturdy hardwood, cork and bamboo are allergy-friendly healthy floors options. What does the ghost do to Hamlet in Act 1 Scene 4? Your email address will not be published. Try to avoid handling irritant foods, or wear protective gloves when doing so (use cotton liners with rubber gloves). Every time your nose runs, it may not be due to allergies. Hard-surface flooring such as vinyl, tile or wood is much easier to keep free of dust mites, pollen, pet dander and other allergens. We recommend you to purchase the LVP flooring from a trusted company like Home Depot that emits a low level of VOCs. Why is Renting Furniture a Smart Decision? Many smells that come from products for the home contain volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. Or, perhaps ask your friends or your real estate agent. So many of the homes are using the vinyl plank flooring it is becoming increasingly difficult to find a safe non toxic home. Exposure to VOCs can trigger asthma attacks and is associated with symptoms including headaches, eye irritation, coughing, unexplained fatigue, and respiratory distress. Required fields are marked *, $MMT = window.$MMT || {}; $MMT.cmd = $MMT.cmd || [];$MMT.cmd.push(function(){ $MMT.display.slots.push(["e9ba73bf-1e8b-4c4a-909e-c54efc9e5793"]); }), $MMT = window.$MMT || {}; $MMT.cmd = $MMT.cmd || [];$MMT.cmd.push(function(){ $MMT.display.slots.push(["8a8357c5-6054-40ff-9476-b14d83c919ad"]); }). Always consult your medical physician for any specific medical advice or recommendations., ENVIROKLENZ Vinyl flooring is made from phthalates mixed with additives; plasticizers, stabilizers, pigments, and fillers. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC or vinyl) is the foremost poisonous plastic for our well-being and the environment. These problematic gases are found in paint, glue, caulk, cleaning supplies, or formaldehyde. I am currently in the market for a new home and will not even consider a home with vinyl flooring. Vinyl flooring, on the other hand, is widely available . 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