Hazardous Chemicals in PVC Flooring

This study investigated the composition of PVC flooring with respect to certain chemical additives, namely phthalate plasticisers and organotins. The study included analysis of five PVC flooring samples that were available for retail in the UK. Samples were found to contain high levels of several organotin compounds, in particular DBT (37.7 to 569 ppm) and TBT (128 to 17,940 ppb). Two phthalates were also detected at high concentrations. Diisononyl phthalate (DINP) was found in all samples at levels ranging from 4.7 to 15.8% by weight and butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) was present in three samples at levels from 1.6 to 5.0%. These finding are of concern in relation to the presence of hazardous substances in consumer products, their potential release to the environment and, in turn, their potential impacts on the environment and human health. Phthalates and organotins are hazardous chemicals. Organotins cause toxicity to the immune system in laboratory animals whilst phthalates exhibit a wide range of toxicity’s. The use of PVC flooring and other household furnishings has generated concern recently after it was hypothesised that the release to air and particulates of the phthalate plasticiser di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), present in PVC interior surfaces, may increase the risk of childhood asthma. Another study linked exposure to PVC floors in the home with increases in bronchial obstruction in children, possibly caused by plasticisers. In respect of the known and suspected toxicity’s of phthalates and organotins and their possible impacts on human health, the results of this study are of great concern.