Promoting Freedom for Creative Architecture
Luxury vinyl flooring containing polyvinyl chloride can be harmful both during its manufacture and disposal processes, potentially emitting dioxin into the environment and emitting toxic pollutants such as formaldehyde.
Many brands now offer products free of phthalates by employing synthetic plasticizers such as DOTP or DEHT as replacement plasticizers, which still off-gas post installation but at much reduced emissions levels.
Phthalates are an extremely ubiquitous and toxic chemical found in soft plastic products like vinyl flooring, toys and plastic wrap - as well as many household goods like vinyl curtains and plastic storage bins. Studies have revealed how phthalates may adversely impact our health - especially that of children and pregnant women.
Phthalates can disrupt our endocrine systems, interfering with hormone cell signal pathways and even leading to reproductive problems in children. Thankfully, manufacturers have started offering phthalate-free vinyl floors.
The easiest way to avoid phthalates is to only purchase flooring materials that do not contain them, such as POLYFLOR's Camaro and Expona LVT collections which all meet this standard.
Vinyl flooring is typically composed of polyvinyl chloride, an extremely harmful and toxic material, and when installed can produce hazardous chemical fumes that negatively impact indoor air quality while creating unpleasant odors.
Vapors from these substances can penetrate the skin or be inhaled, contributing significantly to indoor air pollution and contributing to health issues. Furthermore, these gases have also been implicated in climate warming by producing ground-level ozone that reduces crop yields, cloud formation, atmospheric circulation patterns and precipitation rates - ultimately impacting climate warming overall.
Modern flooring manufacturers have wisely removed phthalate-containing softeners from their product offerings, which were once a source of concern to those with chemically sensitive bodies and can even disrupt hormones. Some manufacturers offer "phthalates-free" vinyl floors; however, these may not be completely nontoxic.
As more emphasis is put on eco-friendly design, it is imperative that materials used for construction be evaluated for their impact on the environment. LVT flooring often considered more sustainable and economical alternative can have serious negative consequences that impact its ecological footprint.
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), one of the most environmentally damaging materials, is one of the primary components. PVC production releases harmful dioxins into the air and water that pollute it further while also creating health problems in humans. Furthermore, as PVC does not biodegrade quickly enough for safe disposal into landfills, its presence will linger there for years releasing toxic fumes into the atmosphere that threaten plant life, animals and even humans in nearby locations.
Luxury vinyl plank and tile (LVT) has quickly become incredibly popular due to its realistic designs and easy maintenance requirements. LVT makes an excellent alternative to natural stone, hardwood and ceramic tiles; and features many aesthetically appealing patterns and designs.
However, these flooring options may not be entirely eco-friendly due to a core made with polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a hazardous material from production through disposal that has been linked with cancer and other serious health conditions.
PVC is not biodegradable, and when discarded will remain in waste facilities for decades emitting toxic fumes into the environment. PVC also poses a fire hazard when burned as this release dioxins into the air - one of the most toxic chemicals known to humanity that have been linked with various illnesses and can have lasting ill effects.
Vinyl floors have long been considered durable and low maintenance options, making them popularly used in photorealistic 3-D designs. Most are adhered to the floor, though certain varieties known as rigid-core vinyl or WPC/SPC contain recycled wood/bamboo dust/limestone mixtures with virgin PVC as a core material. With added plasticizers they can even be click-lock installed directly atop existing flooring without using adhesive glue!
While synthetic floors may be less invasive than real wood and tile floors, they still may produce toxic emissions during installation and shortly after. Some volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced during manufacture could enter the environment after burning organic waste; other harmful emissions may include dioxin, which is released when any organic matter is incinerated into combustion processes.
