"Toxic" means two different worries
When people ask whether vinyl is toxic, they usually mean one of two things. The first is what comes off the floor into the air, called volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. That's the new-floor smell. The second is what's inside the material itself, mainly phthalates, which are chemicals once widely used to make vinyl flexible, plus heavy metals that can ride in on recycled content.
These are tested separately, by different programs. A label that answers one question doesn't answer the other. That's where most of the confusion comes from.
What FloorScore covers, and what it doesn't
FloorScore is the most common label on vinyl plank boxes. It's run by the Resilient Floor Covering Institute and certified by SCS Global Services. A FloorScore product has been independently tested and meets the VOC emission limits of California's Section 01350 program. Certified products face yearly audits and annual re-testing.
That's useful. It tells you the floor isn't a significant source of chemicals like formaldehyde, benzene and toluene in your indoor air.
What it doesn't tell you: whether the plank contains phthalates. FloorScore is an emissions standard, and phthalates aren't within its scope. FloorScore's own FAQ says certification means a product meets specific VOC emission limits and does not guarantee the absence of all chemicals. A FloorScore label alone is not a phthalate-free claim.
To confirm a product is actually certified, FloorScore suggests checking the maker's documentation, looking for the official label on the packaging, and searching the certifier's product database. A logo on a website is not the same as a current listing.
Phthalates: what changed after 2015
In 2015, a study of 65 vinyl flooring tiles from national retailers found phthalate plasticizers in 58% of them. Advocacy groups raised concerns that phthalates can migrate out of flooring into air and dust, and that children are more exposed to them than adults. The same testing found lead, cadmium and phthalates in products made with recycled vinyl.
That year, the largest home-improvement retailers committed to removing ortho-phthalates from the virgin vinyl flooring they sold. In a 2018 follow-up, the same researchers tested 26 new tiles from three major retailers. None had phthalates at detectable levels, and lead, antimony and bromine in the backing layers were virtually eliminated.
That's real progress, but it was a small sample from three stores. It doesn't cover every plank sold everywhere. So check the product, not the category.
The label that does check phthalates
The Resilient Floor Covering Institute also runs ASSURE Certified, made for rigid core SPC and WPC plank. It goes further than FloorScore:
| What is tested | FloorScore | ASSURE Certified |
|---|---|---|
| VOC emissions into indoor air | Yes, to CA Section 01350 | Yes, to half the state's chronic exposure limits |
| Ortho-phthalate content | No | Yes, 1,000 ppm cap, individual or total |
| Lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium | No | Yes, 100 ppm combined cap |
| Size, thickness and wear layer | No | Yes, to ASTM F3261 |
The first few days after install
The EPA notes that VOC levels are often higher indoors than out, up to ten times higher, and lists building materials and furnishings among the sources. Its advice is to increase ventilation when a new product might be giving off VOCs, and to follow label directions.
A new floor is one source among many. The EPA's list also includes paints, cleaning and disinfecting products, and hobby supplies. If you're painting a room the same week the floor goes in, ventilate for both.
In practice, open windows and run fans for the first days after install if the weather allows, and keep the AC running. A click floor that floats over the slab uses no floor adhesive. A glue-down floor does, so ask what adhesive will be used and read its label.
Older floors are a bigger question than new ones
If your home has old vinyl or resilient flooring, the tear-out can matter more than what goes down. Some older flooring and backing contained asbestos. EPA advice is not to sand or try to level asbestos flooring or its backing, to install over it when possible, and to use trained professionals for sampling rather than doing it yourself.
If you're not sure what's under your carpet or old sheet vinyl, raise it before any demolition, especially with small children in the house.
What to ask before you buy
Any reputable installer should be able to get you the paperwork for the product you choose. Our waterproof flooring installation page shows the SPC plank we put down and how we install it.
- Is this plank FloorScore certified? Can I see the certificate?
- Is it ASSURE Certified, or does the maker have a written statement that it contains no added ortho-phthalates?
- Does it use recycled content in the core, and is that content covered by the heavy-metal testing?
- Is it floating or glue-down, and if glue-down, which adhesive?
- Is there any old flooring to remove that should be tested first?
Questions People Ask
Is FloorScore certification the same as phthalate-free?
No. FloorScore certifies that a floor meets VOC emission limits under California's Section 01350. Phthalates aren't within its scope, and FloorScore's own FAQ says certification doesn't guarantee the absence of all chemicals. For phthalates, look for ASSURE Certified or a written statement from the maker.
Does vinyl plank still contain phthalates?
Many products no longer do. After 2015, major retailers committed to removing ortho-phthalates from virgin vinyl flooring, and 2018 testing of 26 new tiles found none at detectable levels. That was a limited sample, so check the specific product's certification or the maker's statement.
Is new vinyl flooring safe for a baby who crawls?
Choose a plank that is FloorScore certified for VOCs and ASSURE Certified or documented as free of added ortho-phthalates. Ventilate the house for the first days after install, as the EPA advises for new VOC sources, and keep the floor clean so dust doesn't collect.
How long does vinyl plank off-gas?
It varies by product, which is why FloorScore testing exists. FloorScore floors meet California's limits for VOC emissions. The EPA recommends increasing ventilation when a new product may be emitting VOCs, so open windows and run fans after install when weather permits.
What is ASSURE Certified?
It's a Resilient Floor Covering Institute program for rigid core SPC and WPC plank. Certified products cap ortho-phthalates at 1,000 ppm, cap lead, cadmium, mercury and hexavalent chromium at 100 ppm combined, meet indoor air limits and meet the ASTM F3261 product standard.
Is recycled vinyl content a concern?
It was. 2015 testing found lead, cadmium and phthalates in products made with recycled vinyl. 2018 follow-up testing found these elements virtually eliminated in the backing layers it checked. Ask whether the plank uses recycled content and whether it carries heavy-metal testing such as ASSURE Certified.
Sources
- RFCI, FloorScore certification: https://rfci.com/floorscore/
- FloorScore.org certification FAQs: https://floorscore.org/faqs/
- RFCI, ASSURE Certified: https://rfci.com/assure-certified/
- Toxic-Free Future, 2015 vinyl flooring study: https://toxicfreefuture.org/blog/new-study-finds-toxic-chemicals-widespread-in-flooring-sold-by-top-retailers/
- Toxic-Free Future, retailer phthalate phase-out commitments: https://toxicfreefuture.org/blog/home-depot-and-lowes-eliminating-toxic-phthalates-in-flooring/
- Ecology Center, vinyl flooring follow-up report (2018 testing): https://www.ecocenter.org/our-work/healthy-stuff-lab/reports/vinyl-flooring-follow-study/vinyl-flooring-follow-report
- US EPA, volatile organic compounds and indoor air quality: https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/volatile-organic-compounds-impact-indoor-air-quality
- US EPA, protect your family from exposures to asbestos: https://www.epa.gov/asbestos/protect-your-family-exposures-asbestos