Is linoleum in an apartment harmful to health?

Linoleum is a profitable and convenient solution for an apartment. There are different types that can be divided by price category. But many refuse it because they are sure that it is dangerous to human health. Is it really? Let's figure it out.

Harm to health of linoleum

What is used to make linoleum? PVC is polyvinyl chloride, which is used as a binding component. But the statement that PVC is harmful to the human body is incorrect! PVC can release harmful substances to the body only during combustion. But we won’t talk about this, because almost everything that surrounds us is dangerous for our body during combustion.

Stabilizers and plasticizers - these components are actually dangerous to our health. They are used to ensure that the coating is flexible and durable. Budget options can use components that emit volatile substances and can enter the human respiratory tract.

NOTE. In an adult, linoleum may well cause a headache, and in a child - serious poisoning.

Pigment.If the cheapest pigment is added to the composition, then after some time it may also end up in the air. It is not toxic, but is dangerous for people suffering from allergic reactions.

Is linoleum harmful to health in residential areas?

Linoleum can be divided into two types: household and commercial.

Basically, either natural or synthetic is used for everyday life. Determining its harmfulness only by appearance is a very difficult task.

Synthetic is easy to care for and provides good thermal insulation. In everyday life, linoleum can be dangerous to human health if it contains PVC, which can release chemical resins, which in turn can:

• evaporate in a short period of time;
• release harmful substances;
• negatively affect the human body as a whole.

Natural is completely safe for human health. But, in turn, it is less resistant to moisture when compared with synthetic ones. If your apartment has high humidity, then this type of linoleum is definitely not suitable.

What harm can linoleum cause?

So, let us emphasize once again that material made exclusively from synthetic components can pose a danger to human health. PVC is a component that is used as a binder and is completely inert. It is not dangerous to human health, unless, of course, the manufacturer uses a cheap analogue. Fiberglass - it also does not contain volatile components that could be harmful to health.

After purchase, it is necessary to let the linoleum rest, then all harmful components will evaporate from it. Important components include pigments; if the manufacturer used the cheapest varieties, then it is not surprising that in a couple of years they will begin to enter the human respiratory tract. This may cause allergic reactions in humans.

ATTENTION. Under no circumstances should you install commercial linoleum in a residential apartment! Completely different requirements are put forward for it, so even high-quality types can harm your health!

Which material is the most harmful?

The main danger is posed by stabilizers and plasticizers, which are used in the adhesive layer. In cheap products, cheap types of stabilizers are most often used, which can harm our body.

What should you be wary of?

As we have already said, the most dangerous components in linoleum are stabilizers and plasticizers. They can only enter the air when heated or after the upper layers have already been erased. In order to protect yourself and your loved ones, be sure to ask for a quality certificate.

What to do if you bought linoleum with an unpleasant odor

If you have already purchased a coating that has a characteristic odor, you need to let it sit in a well-ventilated room. If the smell does not disappear, then using such floor covering is not recommended.

In order to minimize the risk to your health, you need to carefully choose flooring and not use a cheap analogue that can harm your health.