How To Tell If Laminate Flooring Has Chemicals In It

The last several months i have noticed we both have a dry cough that we did not have prior to living in this house.

How to tell if laminate flooring has chemicals in it.

If you are visiting a flooring showroom you can try the smell test take a whiff of the floor material you are considering purchasing to see whether it has a readily detectable chemical odor. Some laminate materials may be made with formaldehyde and other chemicals that environmental experts say can release toxic vocs although stricter epa guidelines have helped reduce voc content in laminate flooring. The wear layer of laminate floor contains plastic that doesn t degrade in landfills. Formaldehyde melamine cyanuric acid isocyanates and aluminium oxide.

Neither one of us has allergies and are both in good health. Hire a reliable flooring professional and ask for laminate floor brand recommendations based on his or her experience in the field. Consult a professional before taking any action to remove the flooring. Laminate flooring is toxic because the wood bonding adhesive and top layer contain and emit chemicals which are harmful to our health.

It s important to choose a non toxic finish when installing new flooring. Lately formaldehyde has also been ever present in the news cycle after a 60 minutes report last year that said laminate flooring from lumber liquidators produced in china and sold in the u. Note that removing flooring in particular new laminate flooring may increase formaldehyde release. Hardwood is not to be confused with laminate flooring which was called out in a 60 minutes story back in march 2015.

The house has no carpet only laminate and tile floors the majority is the laminate with tile in the bathrooms. Although consumers force the industry toward more safe options still the following toxins are used to manufacture laminate flooring. Laminate flooring can be toxic if the wood bonding adhesive and top layer contain and emit harsh chemicals like formaldehyde. True hardwood flooring is made from solid wood harvested from trees.