Chemicals in PVC flooring materials can be absorbed by children’s bodies a new study has found.
These chemicals- which are suspected to cause asthma, allergies and other chronic diseases in children can be ingested with food, by breathing and through the skin according to researchers at the Karlstad University in Sweden. Phthalates are softening agents found in construction materials and in many consumer products including toys, cleaning solvents and packaging. PVC flooring contains phthalates and research has shown that flooring is a significant source of indoor dust in homes.
Researchers analysed urine samples from 83 children, aged 2 months-6 months and found that levels of certain phthalates were higher in babies that had PVC flooring in their bedrooms.
The researchers also found that levels of another phthalate related to DEHP were lower in 2 month old children if they were exclusively breast fed with no supplements.
