Low VOC flooring for condo: important, or not so much?

March 18, 2021 8:07 AM

Trying to figure out how critical it is that I purchase low/no-VOC flooring for condo renovations. Is this stuff much safer than regular flooring? Is other flooring actually unsafe? So far as I know none of us have VOC sensitivities, but upcoming new members of the family may or may not. Basically I don't want to waste money on snake oil or something very overblown.
posted by miltthetank to Home & Garden (4 answers total)

As far as I know, that would refer just to any formaldehyde etc fumes from engineered wood (particle board / plywood) layers, glue fumes from the adhesive used (if any), and/or solvents from the finishes on pre-finished hardwood. Anything you can smell during installation should be gone within a couple of weeks, or a couple months at the absolute outside. I wouldn't worry about it for future occupants.
posted by seanmpuckett at 8:32 AM on March 18, 2021 [1 favorite]

On the other hand:

There is a substantial literature reporting associations between increased residential VOC exposure and respiratory symptoms, asthma, atopic disease, and reduced lung function;18–23 however, the results are overall inconsistent.24,25

Recent studies have also highlighted the potential for maternal VOC exposure during pregnancy to increase the risk of childhood asthma and atopic disease.26,27

From Volatile organic compounds and risk of asthma and allergy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational and interventional studies

The American Lung association recommends that you use low VOC construction products. They do have a real bias, in that they unapologetically promote lung health.
posted by SaltySalticid at 8:44 AM on March 18, 2021 [4 favorites]

It's not too hard to find low-VOC flooring now (and it doesn't cost more) , so if it's a concern, you should do it. A few years ago, asking for low-VOC flooring would have been a snipe hunt.
posted by The_Vegetables at 8:52 AM on March 18, 2021 [1 favorite]

I'd do it, and it should be easy -- flooring that meets GreenGuard requirements is pretty common in the industry. Definitely avoid places like Lumber Liquidators, they've had trouble with absurdly high-emitting products in the past. If you have difficulty finding GreenGuard-type flooring, look at commercial suppliers -- the LEED program has requirements for low-VOC flooring, so places that supply office construction will have it unless, like, they're run by the mafia or something.
posted by aramaic at 11:27 AM on March 18, 2021