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Researchers found that, of 65 vinyl flooring tiles tested, 38 (
58 percent), contained phthalates. Phthalates are commonly found in flooring at levels which exceed U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) children’s product standards for
Most Vinyl tile flooring samples tested contained one or more hazardous chemicals. Fifty eight percent of vinyl flooring tiles tested contain phthalate plasticizers, which are hazardous and are subject to a pending ban in the European Union. Moreover, almost all (89 percent) of vinyl flooring samples tested contained organic tin-based stabilizers. Over half of the samples tested contained multiple plasticizers.
The consumer-health-protection organization HealthyStuff.org recently published a report finding that a popular type of flooring contains nasty chemicals linked to everything from
autism to infertility, cancer, and low IQ in children. Researchers tested more than 3,300 home-improvement products, including 1,000-plus samples of flooring and more than 2,300 samples of wallpaper. Flooring included vinyl (PVC) samples, along with real linoleum (vinyl sometimes passes itself off as linoleum), bamboo, ceramic tiles, hardwood, and cork. Previous studies have
found that harmful chemicals in building materials linger, creating indoor air pollution that's worse than outdoor pollution and winding up in household dust that we're exposed to every day.
PVC building materials, namely, vinyl flooring and coated wallpaper, were
seven times more likely to contain hazardous additives when compared to nonplastic flooring options. Wallpaper was particularly toxic because 96 percent of samples tested contained a PVC coating.
Researchers
also found heavy metals like cadmium and lead in vinyl flooring and wallpaper, along with flame retardants. These substances are linked to asthma,
fertility problems, learning disability, hormone-related diseases, and cancerThe safety of flooring products has been getting lots of attention since a 60 Minutes report earlier this year said that laminate wood flooring imported from China by Lumber Liquidators contained dangerous levels of the
toxic chemical formaldehyde.
The average level in Lumber Liquidators products that we found was
over six to seven times above the state standard for formaldehyde. And we found some
that were close to 20 times above the level that's allowed to be sold.
Materials standards are not adequately harmonized between nations, and commercial interests often override health concerns associated with many products, in part because related health problems may take years to develop and and be difficult to assign cause.
Yet the nationwide increase in immune system disorders, neurological problems, chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple chemical sensitivities, allergies and hormonal disturbances point to environmental factors. A 2004 report by the British Medical Journal states it is clear that environmental and lifestyle factors are key determinants of human diseaseaccounting for perhaps
75% of most cancers. And estimates show most Americans have somewhere between 400 and 800 chemicals stored in their bodies, typically in fat cells.
Risks: Eye and respiratory tract irritation, headaches, dizziness, visual disorders, and memory impairment;
chronic exposure increases the risk of cancer, liver, kidney and central nervous system damage. Persons with respiratory problems such as asthma, young children, elderly, and persons with heightened sensitivity to chemicals may be more susceptible to irritation and illness from VOCs.
PVCs contain phthalates, a class of widely used industrial compounds known technically as dialkyl or alkyl aryl esters of 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid. There are many phthalates with many uses, and just as many toxicological properties. These chemicals are used primarily to lengthen the life of fragrances and soften plastics.
Risks: Endocrine system damage (phthalates chemically mimic hormones and are particularly dangerous to children). Researchers have associated pregnant women’s exposure to phthalates with adverse effects on the genital development of their children. These risks may even prevail in low-dose exposure.
Sources: Plastic wrap, plastic bottles, plastic food storage containers, which can leach phthalates into our food. PVC in some consumer products such as vinyl flooring, drapes and wall-coverings, baby’s toys, shower curtains, blow-up air mattresses, cosmetics and fixatives.
How to minimize exposure:
• Install water filters
• Use cold water for drinking, making tea or coffee, and cooking
• Avoid fish high in mercury, such as king mackerel, tilefish, swordfish, shark, orange roughy, and marlin. Limit consumption of tuna, especially steaks and canned ‘white’ albacore.
• If your home was built before 1978, check for lead paint.
• Avoid buying products made with PFC, such as Teflon cookware and Scotchgard.
• Avoid using treated wood (CCA or ACZA) on decks or children’s play structures
