International. Coatings and other chemical treatments used in conjunction with wood flooring products are essential to provide resistance to scratches and other damage, while helping to preserve the appearance of the floor surface for years of use. However, the organic solvents used in some floor covering products can be harmful to human health and can have a significant environmental impact.
While efforts to regulate the use of these solvents have increased in recent years, especially in paint and paint products, a number of solvent-based floor coverings are still on the market in the United States. In addition, many so-called volatile organic free flooring products still contain chemicals of potential concern, putting consumers at risk.
As part of its ongoing research into the safety of chemicals used in industrial, commercial and consumer applications, UL, an independent research and testing organization, has recently completed a study in which various solvent-based and water-based flooring products were applied that were tested for airborne emissions in simulated indoor environments.
A white paper published by UL reviews the results of those tests, discusses the implications of the test results, and provides recommendations for manufacturers and retailers on how they can help contractors and consumers make appropriate decisions regarding floor covering products.
Source: UL.
