08/18/2023
Why we don’t sell vinyl flooring!
by
Joel Hirshberg on November 7, 2022
And why you should think twice before buying LVT, SPC or WPC.
The majority of all vinyl flooring is made in Asia, although new plants are being built in the US and are made with better ingredients. However, below are several good reasons why you should avoid using any product that contains vinyl:
Luxury vinyl flooring is made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is hazardous from production to disposal. There is no completely safe way to manufacture or dispose of PVC.
Vinyl chloride has been classified as a human carcinogen (14th Report on Carcinogens, National Toxicity Program) and is on the Living Building Challenge Red List of toxic chemicals to avoid.
Some vinyl flooring manufacturers are committed to reducing the amount of PVC and phthalates, but many companies have not eliminated them. Because chemical manufacturers are not required to reveal proprietary ingredients in their products, it is nearly impossible for consumers to determine which product might be safer than another.
Phthalates, which make PVC softer and more pliable, are known to leach into food and water supplies. A 2012 Swedish study of children found that phthalates from PVC flooring were taken up into their bodies, showing that children can ingest phthalates not only from food but also by breathing and through contact with the skin. (Sciencedaily.com. 2012-05-23)
There are many types of phthalates. Some are cancer causing, and some may be endocrine disruptors. The problem is, we don’t know which ones are being used in vinyl flooring because of the lack of proper labeling.
PVC also contains ethylene dichloride, mercury, and other chemicals, many of which have been banned from children’s products and other consumer goods.
Vinyl flooring is not repairable. While it is water and scratch resistant, its wear and photographic layers are typically paper-thin. When the LVT is scratched—and it will scratch—there is no way to repair it. It is not a through-body color like wood, cork, bamboo, or linoleum, all of which can be repaired.
The emissions from PVC create health hazards, such as dioxins and furans, two of the most toxic chemicals on the planet. These chemicals are typically produced during the manufacturing and during incineration in landfills. Small amounts may also be emitted from exposure to the sun and proximity to heat coming from a furnace or fireplace in your home.
Because PVC is not biodegradable and is both difficult and costly to recycle, most of it eventually ends up in landfills and is burned after its useful life. The threat of exposure to humans and the environment after incineration is very real.
The use of PVC in consumer products is banned in many countries throughout the world because of its potentially harmful effects on humans and the environment.
PVC is made from non-sustainable petrochemicals.
PVC is inexpensive and appears to offer many benefits to numerous industries. However, few manufacturers look at the long-range impact on humans or the environment. Although much research has been done, but much more needs to be done.
Article courtesy of Green Building Supply.