Do floors containing vinyl have an impact on indoor air quality?

Most architects, designers and builders agree that the air quality inside a building depends on a number of factors, including how a building is designed, built and maintained; the construction materials, furnishings and cleaning materials used in the building; the heating/ventilating/air conditioning (HVAC) system; and the behavior of occupants.

Products emitting low levels of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) should be considered when selecting interior products. Any VOCs that are emitted from floors containing vinyl are dissipated quickly through normal ventilation.
Vinyl products will not adversely impact indoor air quality when installed according to manufacturers’ recommended procedures.

The Carpet and Rug Institute’s (CRI) Green Label Program has established indoor air quality standards for carpet. Products with emissions below the program’s established emission criteria are considered low-emitting products and receive Green Label certification. Quarterly product testing ensures continued compliance with the program.

A significant indoor air quality advantage of vinyl flooring and vinyl-backed carpet is that they are impervious to moisture, so spills will not penetrate surfaces where such moisture could lead to microbial growth. For example, vinyl-backed carpet dries measurably faster than carpet backed with porous materials. Also, a study published in the American Journal of Infection Control (August 2000) supports the use of easy-to-clean surfaces such as vinyl in healthcare settings as a way of controlling pathogens and promoting a sterile environment. This is one of several reasons why vinyl upholstery, wall protection and base, wallcoverings and flooring are widely accepted and specified by hospital and healthcare designers.