Get matched with top mold testing and remediation specialists in Mentmore, NM

If you’re wondering which is more toxic, laminate vs.vinyl flooring, you might be surprised to learn that both can include toxic chemicals. Depending on the specific brand and the manufacturing process, both are likely made from synthetic materials that can emit volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, into the air. However, since laminate has a wood core, it is more sustainable and less polluting than vinyl, which is entirely synthetic and almost always emits more VOCs than laminate flooring. If you’re concerned about indoor air quality, choose a low-chemical flooring manufacturer or, better yet, choose flooring that doesn’t off-gas VOCs.

PVC is not considered a hazardous waste in most areas, but regulations vary by location. If in doubt, you should contact your local sanitation department to confirm. The Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) has been working to get PVC classified as hazardous waste, so it’s possible that it will be considered as such in the near future. If it is, disposing of PVC will require the use of a hazardous waste disposal facility or transporter in your area.

Visible growth, musty odors, and water damage are common indicators.

Although you can run a DIY test for mold inside your home by buying a test kit, you won’t know whether the strain of mold is dangerous. The best way to test for mold in a home is to hire a professional who can determine the specific type of mold that you have. If you’re worried you exposed yourself to mold and it’s making you ill, you could request a health test. Your personal doctor could test your urine, take a nasal swab, or test some body tissue to determine your potential exposure to mold.