Phthalate-Free Vinyl Flooring One Step Closer to Mainstream

Flooring manufacturer Tarkett North America has unveiled improvements to many of its vinyl flooring products, from reduced emissions to phthalate-free materials. Much of its Johnsonite flooring line now has total VOC emissions of 100 mcg/m3 or less, with some products below 10 mcg/m3.

Beginning this year, Tarkett manufacturing in North America will transition to a phthalate-free formulation for virgin vinyl flooring. Used to provide flexibility to PVC, phthalates are endocrine disruptors that may also affect IQ and cause respiratory illness. (See “Phthalates Linked to Lower IQ Scores in Children,”