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Updated over 16 years ago,
Is laminate flooring safe?
Many people like laminate flooring due to its features. But they have a doubt: Is it safe? Unlike marble, granite, ceramic tile and concrete, this product doesn�t contain radioactive substance. The key factor is its content of formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is contained in not only laminate flooring but also furniture, paint, glue and other interior decorative materials.
Formaldehyde is a kind of chemic gas. If formaldehyde release exceeds some extent in the air, it will harm people�s nose, eye, respiratory system, etc. and conduce to dermatosis, rhinopharyngocele, leukaemia, etc.
The formaldehyde for laminate flooring is contained in its support material. It is used to make aniline-formaldehyde resin which has strong capacity of agglutination. This kind of resin acts as mucilage glue for the support material. It is cheap. And it can add to the antisepsis, hardness and insect resistance. So it is the first choice of agglutination materials for veneer.
The formaldehyde in the support material will not come out at once. The release period is up to different conditions of temperature, humidity and the quality of the surface. The period will last at least 12 years. So many countries have relevant regulations for formaldehyde release of veneer. For example, EU set us 3 grades for formaldehyde release: E1 ((≦10mg/1 00g),E2 (≦40mg/100g) and E3 (≦100mg/100g). E1 rating products can be used for interior purpose directly. E2 rating products can be used after the treatment of surface. In fact, minim formaldehyde release can�t do harm to people�s body. So you can feel free to use eligible laminate flooring.