Dangerous Chemicals from Vinyl Flooring & Wallpaper Raise Concerns

EMSL Analytical provides phthalates and formaldehyde testing services to determine if the chemical is present in products and indoor environments to protect the public from exposure and health risks.

Cinnaminson, NJ

This week MSNBC reported the results of an environmental group’s testing of more than 2,000 wallpapers and floor coverings for toxic materials. In addition to finding low levels of heavy metals the report indicated the presence of phthalates in worrisome amounts.

According to the study most of the vinyl wallpaper products and floor coverings contained at least some level of phthalates. Concerns over the ability of phthalates to mimic human hormones resulted in the U.S. Congress banning and strictly limiting their presence in children’s toys and child care products just last year.

Phthalates are used in many products as fragrance stabilizers and to keep plastics flexible, durable and transparent. The list of phthalate containing products includes vinyl wallpapers and flooring, toys, personal care products and even medical products. Phthalates can be released from the products quite easily, especially as the products age, since there is no covalent bond between the chemicals and the plastics they are mixed with.

Exposure to phthalates can be through direct use or indirectly from the chemical leaching into foods or the general environment. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced last year that EMSL Analytical is an accredited laboratory for testing for Phthalate Content, Test Method CPSC-CH-C1001. EMSL Analytical is one of the nation’s premier independent consumer product testing laboratories.

“Due to the ability of phthalates to act as endocrine disruptors it is important to minimize people’s exposure to the chemical,” reported Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President at EMSL Analytical. “This is especially true for children and pregnant woman. EMSL provides complete phthalate testing services for environmental samples as well as to determine if they are present in consumer products.”

To learn more about phthalate or other consumer product testing services please visit www.EMSL.com, email info@EMSL.com or call (800) 220-3675.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of quality environmental and materials testing services and products to professionals and the general public. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.

Contact Information

Joe Frasca

Senior Vice President, Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

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