Consumer Reports Vinyl Flooring Phthalates

On the ecofriendly side most is certified to be low voc material that won t contribute to indoor air pollution.

Consumer reports vinyl flooring phthalates.

Consumer reports ran lab tests on 17 vinyl flooring products testing for 13 types of phthalates. Building materials such as vinyl flooring and other consumer products containing phthalates can result in human exposure through direct contact and use indirectly through leaching into other products or general environmental contamination. Mannington is available only through specialty flooring stores. Government regulators around the world are increasing scrutiny and restrictions on the use of some phthalates.

Besides checking the composition of the flooring itself the lab also tested to see whether phthalates could be wiped off the vinyl flooring onto your hands or get into the air. There are no federal laws or rules prohibiting the group of chemicals known as phthalates from vinyl flooring. Consumer reports top rated options in solid wood engineered wood laminate porcelain tile and vinyl flooring. The flooring information on the box or brand website will have these details.

The consumer product safety commission does limit phthalates to less than 0 1 of the material used in toys and kids products. Look for vinyl plank flooring certified by floorscore or greenguard two low voc certifications. On the heels of concerns about toxic floors consumer reports assessed the risks posed by phthalates in 17 kinds of vinyl tile and found little to worry about when it comes to harmful health. It is among the top three leading vinyl flooring brands and has a foothold in wood laminate and porcelain tile.

In a recent test consumer reports conducted on phthalates in vinyl floors from multiple manufacturers we found only very low levels in the air and on wipes we ran across the 17 vinyl samples and. Most flooring falls into one of the following six types. And most is phthalate free. The type of flooring you choose will depend on your needs budget.