Vinyl Health Risks

The studies that did find negative effects of phthalates in vinyl flooring on children focused primarily on their effect on the airways and assessing phthalate levels inside the body.

Vinyl health risks.

International agency for research on cancer. Centers for disease control and prevention 2006. Phthalates are used to soften plastic and vinyl and make them more flexible. These substances pose a health risk to anyone who is exposed to them.

Industry experiments in laboratory animals as early as the 1950s found evidence of harm but officials did not initially disclose the findings. Nowadays most vinyl flooring contains tin as a stabilizer that s been mixed in with carbon. Additionally some plasticizers can react with adhesives when your flooring has been laid and cause a problem called plasticizer migration. Most vinyl flooring contains chemicals called phthalates many of which have been banned from children s products over concerns of negative health effects.

These tin based stabilizers are known as organotins. Researchers say vinyl flooring and sofas with flame retardants can present a health risk to children. Any harmful effects to mother earth and her inhabitants whether it be during stages of production of pvc vinyl or after production to the disposal of it is unacceptable. Last accessed december 28 2018.

World health organization 2012. For more information call the atsdr information center at 1 800 232 4636. The effects of exposure to any hazardous substance depend on the dose the duration how you are exposed personal traits and habits and whether other chemicals are present. Dioxins are carcinogenic bioaccumulative toxins that can persist in the environment for a prolonged period.

Share on pinterest experts say linoleum is a safer alternative than vinyl flooring. For example milliken s luxury vinyl tiles are 100 phthalate free and they use bio based plasticizers instead which don t pose a risk to human health or harm the environment. Keep in mind though the study is only. According to the cdc organotin exposure can have adverse health effects like skin and eye irritation respiratory problems birth defects and cancer.

These harmful chemicals are created during the manufacture of the chloride in pvc. The harmful health effects of vinyl chloride have been known for decades though the industry has suppressed and misrepresented the health effects from pvc exposures for years. Vinyl chloride iarc monographs on the evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humans volume 100f.