If you've been thinking about having a floor installed or are someone who likes to keep tabs on potentially dangerous chemicals that your family could be exposed to, you may have heard the term "VOC" at some point. VOC refers to the Volatile Organic Compounds that can be found in many adhesives, aerosol sprays, paints, air fresheners, pesticides, dry-cleaned clothing, stored fuels, and building supplies including flooring materials. Until fairly recently VOCs had been thought very little of in the flooring world, but as research of VOCs continued it was found that they are something we should avoid bringing into our homes. Why? Because VOCs are pollutants emitted as gases that and are not only bad for the environment but can be dangerous to people too.
Having VOCs in your home can spur on a wide variety of health issues at any time. Irritation to the eyes, nose, or mouth are common, as well as nausea, loss of coordination, and headaches. More serious cases of VOC exposure have even resulted in liver damage, kidney issues, and even cancer in both animals and humans. As you can see, there is a reason why VOCs have become a hot-button topic with all of the problems they cause. And that's just on people! Imagine what they do to the environment!
Here's a list of symptoms you may experience if you've been exposed to VOCs:
Headaches
Eye irritation
Skin irritation
Throat Discomfort
Nausea
Dizziness
Fatigue
Nose discomfort
Difficulty breathing
Vomiting
Nosebleed
Needless to say, VOCs are not a force to be trifled with. You should try to get them out of your home as soon as you're able. The good news is that doing so won't leave you without plenty of flooring options. Now more than ever the flooring world is coming up with beautiful, affordable no-VOC flooring materials that will make a great addition to your home! A new floor that is safe for your family as well as for the environment makes for a win-win-win situation.
If making the switch to a no-VOC floor sounds like the right move for you give us a call. We'd love to help you find the perfect floor for your home.