{"id":205784,"date":"2023-08-03T20:00:07","date_gmt":"2023-08-04T00:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.constructionspecifier.com\/?p=205784"},"modified":"2023-07-28T13:25:18","modified_gmt":"2023-07-28T17:25:18","slug":"how-designers-and-architects-can-mitigating-floorings-impact-on-indoor-air-quality","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.constructionspecifier.com\/how-designers-and-architects-can-mitigating-floorings-impact-on-indoor-air-quality\/","title":{"rendered":"How designers and architects can mitigate flooring’s impact on indoor air quality"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Photos<\/a>
Photos courtesy Tarkett North America. <\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

By Roxane Spears<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chronic respiratory illness, including asthma and allergies, have been on the rise in the U.S. over the past few decades.1<\/sup> One influence on the increasing rates of asthma and allergies is poor indoor air quality (IAQ) and the presence of indoor pollutants.2<\/sup><\/p>\n

Many flooring products have historically been manufactured with chemicals such as ortho-phthalates, formaldehyde, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that, when emitted from those products, can have adverse effects on human and environmental health and contribute to indoor air pollution.10<\/sup> To combat this and instead promote good IAQ, designers and architects should look for flooring products that are independently certified for low or no levels of known indoor irritants and consider floors that are easy to clean and maintain, and do not contain high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).<\/p>\n

Common indoor air pollutants<\/strong><\/p>\n

Many factors can contribute to indoor air pollution. They include paints, adhesives, and solvents; flooring, interior finishes, and furniture that contain high levels of VOCs from chemicals used in their manufacturing; chemical cleaners used to maintain indoor environments; mold growth; and dust mites, among others.4 <\/sup>HVAC systems can filter out some of these airborne pollutants, but the filtration of many systems is poor.<\/p>\n

Outdoor air pollution, such as ozone, pollen, diesel fumes, and smoke, can influence IAQ when it leaks inside. These substances can enter in three ways. First, through natural ventilation, such as fans and opening doors and windows. Second, through mechanical ventilation, such as HVAC systems. Third, through infiltration, which is when pollutants leak in through openings, joints, and cracks in the walls, floors, and ceilings, as well as cracks around windows and doors.5<\/sup><\/p>\n

Whether they originate from inside or outside, these airborne pollutants, allergens, and triggers can migrate within indoor spaces and settle on furniture, flooring, and any other open surface. Poor indoor ventilation can worsen IAQ, as it prevents the air from circulating freely and diluting pollutants.6<\/sup><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Asthma<\/a>
Asthma affects 6.1 million children in the U.S. (1 in 12) and is attributed to about 10 million missed school days each year.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

How flooring contributes to air quality<\/strong><\/p>\n

According to the Green Science Policy Institute, most of the 80,000-plus chemicals on the U.S. market have not been adequately tested or evaluated to ensure their safe use in everyday products. The Six Classes Approach, recommended by this institute, highlights six categories of known chemicals of concern, commonly used in consumer and building products, to accelerate manufacturers\u2019 adoption of safer chemicals and prevent \u201cregrettable substitutes\u201d in consumer products and building materials. \u201cRegrettable substitutes\u201d refers to the substitution of
\na known toxic chemical with another that has similar adverse health effects, for example, the substitution of bisphenol A or BPA with bisphenol S or bisphenol F.7<\/sup><\/p>\n

Building environments involve installing flooring, insulation, and HVAC systems, applying and maintaining paint, and selecting furniture and electronics. Each of these products can contain any number of harmful substances, including ortho-phthalates, VOCs, PFAS, and antimicrobials, among others, that can affect air quality and human health.8<\/sup><\/p>\n

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), source control of these pollutants is the most effective way to control air quality. This means selecting or not selecting a product based on how it contributes to IAQ is a key decision for designers and architects to make. Though ventilation is necessary to support good IAQ, source control may also be a more cost-efficient approach because increasing ventilation can also increase energy costs.9<\/sup><\/p>\n

When it comes to flooring products, there are three main ways to approach source control of indoor pollutants.<\/p>\n