THE EFFECT OF PHTHALATE ON HEALTHThe Right Choice of Flooring such as today’s highly popular revisited vinyl, the Luxury Vinyl Tile/Planks can help mitigate the worries and offer a better hard-surface solution than others with potential health related issues. The LVT can also mimic the softer category in cosmetics and functional elements.Mahesh SubramanianConsultant, MS chemical Engineering/Material science/Chemistry and PhD candidateFor LVT the best choice of Hard Surfaces

THE FLOORING MARKET- A COMPLEX MAZE AND NOT SO GREEN

• The flooring market is a multibillion dollar surface covering industry and all floor coverings due to immense challenges, faces its issues highlighted by competing arts to gain market-grounds.

• The issues revolve around health and dust primarily with soft and hard-surfaces and Vinyl (as many kinds) faces questions and these can be allergy, formaldehyde, phthalates, the Chlorine, the Fluorine, the Isocyanates, and other incineration events leading to heavy metals/organic waste in manufacturing as catalyst. The wall coverings and boards are also party to unfriendly ingredients. All are well documented and still in existence.

• The coldness of tiles from ceramic and porcelain and marble and equivalents faces a different appeal and lower impact resistance and need to protect from water and dirt still.

• There is noise and flame retardant issues in all surfacing• There is the issues on how the floorings beginnings from polymer making with respect to Heavy metal used in

catalyst to make and to cure, to fibers for boards/panels and wood harvesting events creating the “green” effect story.

• Can we recycle is a major discussion and if yes can it be used in same product and guarantee performance? Most claim and use other materials and create a negative appeal and danger.

• How do we clean and how much do we spend to clean?• What is the predicted longitivity?• Then there is the hybrid elements such as the engineered floors and Wood Plastic composite and softer materials -

tiles look alike and right fully justified. The cosmetics and feel may be different but can serve the environment aspects to a greater extent.

• Most importantly comes the cost and support warranty acknowledgement and always the battle of homegrown and imports.

Need to continually strive to make flooring a safer product for use and we all try and some more closer

Related building products graph - depiction of all materials –Available in various search engines

The polymers, ceramics and others have increased 25% over the metals growth (stagnant) from 2005 to 2015Increasing emphasis lies in non petroleum based products for polymers and use of nano technologies and

improved carbon foot print, and in metals the use of light weight metals and transition metals have shown growth in energy savings and solid state battery technologies with hybrid mix of “Other” fibers

THE PURPOSE OF THIS PRESENTATION IS LVT AND POLYMERS AND ITS IMPACT AND VIRTUES OVER OTHER

MATERIALS• Where does 30million tonnes of PVC go? Construction is the biggest in pipes. It is the largest consuming polymer and only poly-olefins of all categories such as LDPE, HDPE, PP to name a few mirrors PVC. The PVC was claimed to be slowing down but LVT category and a sense to address issues of plasticizers and recycling at approximately 1 billion ton has helped improve dynamics of polymer acceptance. The average consumption is 35billion sq.ft at 3.5mm thickness. In many regions of world the use of resilient is still to grow to 2% level of flooring and is potentially a good prospect indicating how much potential exists and right chemicals used.

The demand of PVC will grow higher in high population countries as GNP reaches $500/year @ 14%

WHERE DOES NON PVC CONSUMPTION STAND? IT IS PROPOSED IN MANY CASES AND FOSSIL FUEL HAS HELPED MORE IN USA FOR THERMOPLASTIC POLY-OLEFINS LATELY

Packaging has helped Asian countries in PETNot included are bioplastics but most plastics of bio derived face big dimensional problems and temperature of use issues due to crystalline morphology mixed, and certain olefins are lower density polymers and not completely a resilient category in practice theoretically but as extender. This effort will continue and needs to be encouraged as morphology of polymers can be altered. There is a big cost factor of supply demand. So the events of “safe” LVT and application still supersede the other polymers that some proponents of companies of alternative polymers still continue to invest in PVC methodologies for a good reason. The new plasticizers are more expensive than PVC many folds and have to be used for good practices and consumers educated on chemicals which can be harmful.

VARIOUS POLYMERS AND WHY PVC STANDS-OUT AS BEST CHOICE, AND WARP IS NOT IDEAL FOR OLEFINIC POLYMERS DESPITE PROCESSING WAYS FOR LVT CORE AND TRUE RESILIENCY/ A TRUE NON-PVC IS YET TO ARRIVE MATCHING ALL FEATURES OF TRUE-FLOAT AND USE WITHOUT GLASS-FIBER

Polymer Expansion % - DS dimensional stability

Comment

PVC 0.25 Virgin PVC and extrude to press directly and calendaring

PVC fillers <0.005 75% CaCO3- ideal/needs plasticizer at 30%+

PVC with fillers and glass fiber-non woven mesh

<0.08 Processing to interleave and GF not necessary

PLA 0.5+ Great story but is not feasible as was tried and floor buckled in a week!

HDPE 0.6 Stiffness is great for flatness but expansion not ideal

LLDPE 0.35+ A great solution but lower temperature at 80C of melt for control of process

LLDPE with fillers 0.35 80% boiler ash and or coated CaCO3 else expansion will take place, but water absorption at 0.2% can effect DS

LLDPE with fillers and Glass fiber 0.22 Improved but temperature limitation can increase crystallinity to 35%

LLDPE/C-Olefins with fillers and Glass fiber temperature >130C and fast cooling at 15F press plate and appropriate film chemistry

0.10 to 0.25 Adds to cost with chillers and anisotropic with press either oil based or AIR pressure-floating and not to exceed 20bar/ flow issues as prefer >30bar. Extrusion like PVC not easy when in melt, but when cooled offers 2X impact and tensile strength over PVC but a right choice plasticizer can help PVC like premium LVT in AUTO show rooms!The non PVC films include PP or PE or PET or PC for décor side film on top and has issues on DS at 0.35%

PETG/Acrylic and other wood/synthetic polymers/Fibers are also used for flooring. What isnow important as always to use right fillers (need for modulus/stiffness/cost), which are not harmful to respiratory/lung and ovarian cancers. Natural is better but morphology of filler shape is critical.

PLASTICIZER USE IS NECESSARY TO MAKE PVC FLEXIBLE AND THERE ARE THE GOOD AND THE SUSPECTED BAD ONES WHICH HAS BEEN USED IN PLENTY OVER THE YEARS THAT WILL LINGER FOR 2000 YEARS WITH HALF LIFE ON SIMILAR TERMSThe use in cosmetic fragrances/soaps/cleaners not included. 50% of phthalates produced is consumed in building and interior products. DEHP/DIDP/DINP/BBP are common plasticizers used and suggestively been asked to be removed from formulations at 60% extensions, despite some typical backlashes as has approached maximum possible exposure limits and statistically proven at 2 to 3X levels than recommended in urine analysis in stricken patients from reproductive to cancerous cases. They are classified as pollutants, linked to Asthma, Autism cases as they break down with slow hydrolysis, breast cancer and breast milk inducing more than 3X levels in Kids/Babies as is a measure of Kilogram. It is easily soluble in fat. Obesity is the biggest problem in many countries and a link? 2miilion pounds produced in US alone, and equates 25% of extension and 20,000 ppm when leached out every year! DEHP in exposure measurements is suggestively to be more than PCB/DDT! While the requirement set is <20ppm exposure. All samplings have shown some levels of phthalates and is a concern at 0.2ppm in urine and as high as 40ppm. Above 20ppb is a reproductive issue.

THE OTHER POLLUTANTS WHICH ARE ON WATCH LIST

What is obvious is like phthalates the cleaners are more dangerous and cleaning of the surfaces needmore attention too and may leach out more ingredients too! Not mentioned are formaldehyde which acidic cleaners can diffuse. This is where unlike other surfaces, as LVT with right coating requires little effort to clean and is a closed surface. It is an ideal case for commercial/ Hospitals/ Hotels/ Food courts/ Malls. It is estimated the cost of savings with ease of cleaning and time and simple cleaner formulas one can save 15c/sq.ft maximum that in 15 years or less of commercial use will pay the premium LVT floor for itself!

Different plasticizer in the PVC world and for a layman all appears same but the constrictionof extended chain groups and molecular weight and strain places an important role in hindrance. This does not mean we stop testing in defense but need to be aware of environmental causes and means to provide safe floors. The DOTP (and others) are recommended. Why would not all use it? It is the question of meeting cost expectations and failure to checkrecycled PVC and in essence to satisfy one cause they forget other basic fundamental.

THE LEACHING OF PLASTICIZER!

Different tests are recommend from GC to head space and FTIR for analysis

DINCH is safer as can see and DOTPfollows same category and is used in LVT commonlyMany floorings in LVT openly depict the types used.

HOW IS THE WORLD MOVING TO REPLACING PHTHALATES?

Green in the bar graph of replacing DEHP and premium LVT has adopted this in 2008 during its conception

The addition of particles – dust aids increased emission

AUTISM AND EFFECTS - CHOICE BY PREMIUM LVT FOR A CLEANER ENVIRONMENT

The DEHP and hydrolysis and effected cells and Healthy cells clearly Shows the extracts from samples are 3X and is a clear Indication of why phthalates used in many tiles from Vinyl needs to be taken out. This is a factor and is dear to many in its design on a personal level to make it clean and use natural fillers and address facts.

FLOORING MARKET GRAPHICS sales in Billions

The resilient will grow double digit and will take over softer and other hard surface areas as is more versatile and provides a better balance of properties. The investments will continue for next 5 years to drive the sales globally and likely Will see more greener events. Soft coverings will also see greener polymer from PET to PP to Nylon, but the vibrant aspects of hard surface is unique and will not change the trend of flatness in soft Materials of carpet. The hybrids will hold a new category.Green resources will cost more and recycling is important but damaging too and need research and investment.

THE TREND IN PHTHALATE

The flooring tiles were sampled from five  national flooring retailers: Ace Hardware, build.com, Lowe's, Lumber Liquidators, and Menards.  Samples were acquired from retailers in seven different states.

Highlights of Findings from Flooring Study:Most Vinyl tile flooring samples tested contained one or more hazardous chemicals.   Fifty eight percent of vinyl flooring tiles tested contain phthalate plasticizers, which are hazardous and are subject to a pending ban in the European Union.  Moreover, almost all (89 percent) of vinyl flooring samples tested contained organic tin-based stabilizers.  Over half of the samples tested contained multiple plasticizers.Home Depot has made a commitment to phase out phthalates by the end of 2015, and others yet to propose a firm statementSome retailers, manufacturers and brands are better than others.  The poorest performing retailers: Lumber Liquidators

and Ace Hardware, had phthalates in 100 of the flooring samples tested.

Lowe’s (48 percent), Menards (23 percent) and build.com (25 percent) also had products tested which contained phthalates.

premium LVT is free of such heavy metals and phthalates from day one.

Even Europe is slower in adopting

RECYCLE CONTENT IN PVC AND EFFORTS

The recycling efforts is at <10% and increasingly proposed But given the presence of other phthalates the dangerpersists. There needs to be a greater classification of content. Manufactures using specially formulated virgin PVC and long term specific Recycling ways will be from the known product replaced will have better control. This will be true of all flooring eventually to monitor and only carpet is getting closer at specific grades as softness and cosmetics do matter.

PVC withstands flame but when burnt can cause dioxins and other polymers support flame more and has issues of catalyst in making, from heavy metals too, so regardless of push from groups appropriate chemicals and recycling will play a role in disposal. This is a mustRequirement when one researches product.

VIRTUES OF NEW PLASTICIZERS

The industry is moving from phthalates and one can see its demand and most LVT manufacturers uses DOTP and similar chemistriesand its use is split in all categories depicted in piecharts and is a big effort to accomplish free of Phthalate eventually, unless a ruling much in linesof formaldehyde comes to force, despite testingand relation to human health factors proven.

GIVEN THE ISSUES WITH PHTHALATE – SELECTIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS?

The molecular weight and steric angles play a role with molecular weight aiding resiliency, no VOC andthe appropriate choice of plasticizer will aid with fillers other features of anti germ, FR improvement andAcoustic, COF, stability and ease of loose lay – factors few LVT is designed to promote and patented.

Safer plasticizer have beenaround for 40 years!

LVT-VIRTUES AND HEALTH AND WHY HOSPITALS!Anti germs and bacteriafree and additional eventscan be offered but a closedA film with right coating, there is a built-in feature.

Not all LVT passes all theseTests in ASTM and is GREENGUARD Certified too. Some have FR and Acoustical wayssurpassing typicallyOther floors! Taber and wearis conducted by manyways. One can get LEED points too. Baby bottle Safe chemistry is to be atour thoughts all the time.

Tests suggest you save 25% in effort

You cannot unless free of recycle content and phthalate free

WHY LVT? AND WHY PREMIUM LVT?• The infections in hospitals kills 37000 patients in EU and cleaning will play a role

and LVT comes to the fore in stopping bacteria and ease of cleaning!• The LVT optimizes cleaning, no need for harmful ingredients in solution-pays for

itself• No damage when heavy items dropped and if floating like Premium LVT you can

selectively replace plank or Tile.• Resistant to most chemical attacks unlike other floors. Premium LVT can clean up

permanent markers/can use mild bleach/ can stop a bullet too in some cases! • It can stop a flame for reasonable time and will not smell or smoke or drip like

phthalate ones!• Can be explored as wall coverings and ceilings with special films and is clean • Creates an open and dynamic vibrant environment due to color and texture

schemes• Can be cut and marked for signs• No fade in UV light• Furniture and other equipment cannot damage corners• Check Vinyl Plus a member of Green Industry Platform – UNIDO/UNIEP• The resiliency of décor films helps to contour the cosmetics to all textures and

offers good COF at >0.6 to aid non-slipping. The sandwich of layers offers many possibilities of antiskid backs

• Most Premium LVT is the highest in class for stability and has no Glass Fiber and is a big point to note as flatness and flexibility are not compromised!

TESTING FOR PHTHALATES AND HEAVY METALS

• Heavy metals can be analyzed by XDRF and or acid digestion to ICP or EDS or XPS• The organic plasticizer can be analyzed with FTIR after extraction• The PVC can be analyzed with Flame or pyrolysis and FTIR of Vapor condensed• The head space analysis and GC can be useful for many ways to test real events of particulates

and outgassing,as the oily plasticizer is not easy to detect. http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/about/index.html

• In Humans the urine analysis is a good show tell as fatty elements can absorb and others not.

ICP-inductive coupled plasma/XDRF-X-ray Fluorescence/EDS-energy dispersive spectroscopyFTIR-Fourier Transform Infra Red and other tests can be DSC (differential scanning calorimetry)andGC-Gas Chromatography – info: call manufactures of LVT

PHTHALATE AND TECHNICAL DETAILS• MEP phthalate has been linked to breast cancer in Mexico study and a 4 fold increase, or

68% increase in breast cancer. 434 women and 221 healthy ones in sampling. Many possible theories proposed but all agreed to a linkage.

• Children products banned from 2009 in US for imported ones especially.• Healthystuff.org publishes the facts• 1/3rd of product definitely contains unhealthy plasticizers and a dangerous trend as 90% have

measureable trends in US. • It has been proven phthalates reduces the efficiency of chemo treatments making it a worse

scenario potentially• Many states have issued events that phthalates needs to be disclosed on types. • Phthalates are used in nail, shampoo and fragrance too and serious concern• It has been reported that phthalates causes breast enlargement in pre-puberty women and has links

to breast cancer prognosis at increased levels.• Used in car-care, toys , plastic containers, shower curtains and insecticides• Intravenous, plasma storage bags have increased dosage also. • Certain countries such as Lebanon and UAE have most cases related to breast cancer and chemical

scrutiny has been advice to such chemical groups removal. Pediatric cancer rate of 9.2% a increase over the years are noted.

• There will be 70% increase in cases in cancer cases for 40-55 years of age in breast cancer predominantly in women and many in middle-east.

• Phthalate are endocrine disruptors and interrupts many other hormonal events which is published in medical journals all over.

IN SHORTHealth Shorts: Facts about phthalates October 16, 2008 The U.S. Public Interest Research Group, a consumer advocacy organization, recommends that parents check product labels this holiday season for the presence of phthalates. Phthalates are substances added to plastics to make them softer and more flexible. Products containing phthalates, including toys and baby care products, are widely available, although less frequently than in the past because of health concerns. Based on research showing adverse effects on laboratory animals and human studies suggesting abnormalities in children born to mothers with high levels of phthalates, the use of the substance in toys has been restricted by the European Union and several states. A U.S. law banning the use of six phthalates for products intended for children under 12 was signed into law in August 2008 and will take effect in 2009. The "Phthalate Information Center" (www.phthalates.org), an Internet site that claims the health concerns of phthalates are unfounded, is sponsored by major plastics manufacturers rather than independent scientists. http://news.psu.edu/story/182711/2008/10/16/health-shorts-facts-about-phthalates The best way is early detection and educational programs and laws which can ban potential dangerous

chemicals well proven to cause health problems in modern day communicating ways. As producers we need to be conscious of the resources we use in market and be proactive as most chemical use and events will see a push back from groups and lobbies and in many cases it is about cost of product and survival. Manufactures of LVT has a personal agenda to carry on the health factor events and provide superior performance and worry free products from select manufactures, a step ahead of the rules and make it aware to consumers what is ideal. Technology and investment comes with a price and a cheaper product in LVT is invariably not compliant.

LIVING IN A BUBBLE?

Why live in a bubble and you can neither have aerosol or be dry as formaldehyde and phthalate can work against each other?!

Living Free of worries and use of certified LVT, as need not be concerned with formaldehyde or phthalate and live healthy with best warranty in class and if floated free as the best in class to lay it on floor, with the lowering of carbon foot print is ideal! Researching quickly one can easily see a few and FreeFit (referenced with site) for example has many features in a LVT and mentions chemistry and interaction as their way to promoting a greener, VOC free product.

Thank you to many friends inThe flooring industry for theirinput and to get the messageout as clean air has no short cuts.Let’s strive to make it greener and a old art has the best chance to acceptance satisfying all properties

REFERENCES

Environmental impacts of polyvinyl chloride building materials – Joe

PLASTIC AND BREAST CANCER TREATMENT BY BERKSON

New Study Finds Toxic Chemicals Widespread in Flooring Sold by Top Retailers World’s Largest Home Improvement Retailer, Home Depot, Commits to Phase Out of Phthalates in Flooring by End of 2015 Tony Iallonardo, 202-503-8581,tonyIallonardo@saferchemicals.org Jeff Gearhart, Ecology Center, 734-369-9276,jeffg@ecocenter.org

Phthalates exposure may double breast cancer risk ... or not Mar 19, 2010 López-Carrillo, L, RU Hernández-Ramírez, AM Calafat, L Torres-Sánchez, M Galván-Portillo, LL Needham, R Ruiz-Ramos and ME Cebrián. 2010. Exposure to phthalates and breast cancer risk in northern Mexico. Environmental Health Perspectives. http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.0901091. Synopsis by Jonathan Chevrier, Ph.D. and Kathleen M. McCarty, Sc.D.

                                          

Cancer cases increasing at alarming rate: Zawya Lebanon:Abu Faour

www.healthybuilding.net/uploads/files/environmental-impacts-of-polyvinyl-chloride-building-materials.pdf

U.S. law requires less formaldehyde in wood products- USA Today/2010-july-signed by Obama

http://freefitfloors.com/