One of the problems we deal with all of the time and few people know about, is indoor air pollution. One of the most common causes of IAP is the presence of formaldehyde in flooring products.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has this to say on the subject.
“Indoor air pollution is estimated to have caused nearly two million deaths in 2004, including half of pneumonia deaths in 2005, the group noted. Experts from nearly twenty research institutions and universities around the world met to define the scope and boundaries of the planned new WHO indoor air quality guidelines for household fuel combustion. The new guidelines will complement the existing “WHO guidelines for indoor air quality: selected pollutants,” issued in 2010, and covering certain chemicals that may accumulate indoors from unsafe heating systems and poor construction – including carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, benzene, and radon.”
Indoor Environment CONNECTIONS – February 2011
Off gassing with flooring products is a common concern for those with respiratory issues. While for the most part Formaldehyde has been eliminated or lowered to minimal amounts in most modern flooring products, to sensitive individuals it still poses problems.
At a senior facility, a resident had a high level of sensitivity and we were called in to remove the vinyl flooring and install natural linoleum. Linoleum is a natural product made of linseed oil, resins, powdered cork, wood flour, ground limestone, and other natural materials. Mineral pigments provide the color. Linoleum is also naturally anti-bacterial as well as biodegradable.
If you are a property owner and have had complaints about respiratory problems from your tenants, perhaps the flooring is an issue. You may want to consider using natural linoleum.
We at DeepVac are licensed flooring contractors with over 20 years’ experience in dealing with issues just like this. If you live or have property in the San Francisco Bay Area, call us for a free estimate at 415-892-7333 or write us at operations@deepvac.com.
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