The range of finishing materials these days is striking in its variety. Unfortunately, some modern materials can provoke serious illnesses in humans. In our article, we will focus on the laminate, or rather, on its immediate composition.
Personally, I have already given up using this material. Maybe after reading today's article, you will draw certain conclusions for yourself.
I will not say that all building materials are potentially hazardous to humans. Some of them are just neutral, but there are some that are best to stay away from.
Such hazardous materials include laminate flooring. There has been a long debate as to whether it is worth using laminate flooring for finishing, but there is still no consensus. Today I will dwell on the composition of this material in detail.
Resins and formaldehyde
It is known that the laminate is made from compressed sawdust. Therefore, it seems that it is a rather harmless material. However, if you delve deeper into the composition of the laminate, you can find many "pitfalls".
It is difficult to find an exact list of all the components that make up the material, but one fact remains undeniable: it contains formaldehyde. And this is already a good reason not to use laminate flooring.
To increase sales, manufacturers try to hide the truth by claiming that their the product is treated with a special reinforcing impregnation and covered with resins on top that protect the laminate from mechanical damage.
In reality, melamine and acrylic resins, as well as formaldehyde, are used in the manufacture of laminate. From natural in its composition only sawdust.
The process of emission of harmful substances from the laminate into the environment
When laminate flooring is exposed to elevated temperatures, formaldehyde vapors are released from it. For this, it is enough that direct sunlight fell on the material for some time.
It is not difficult to find formaldehyde in the surrounding space: it smells unpleasantly of chemistry, this aroma is difficult to confuse with something else.
Note that laying laminate flooring on warm floors is also not the best option.
Melamine resins
Scientists have tested the effect of melamine on a living organism using mice as an example. In rodents, during the experiments, oncological tumors arose, and the genitourinary system also fell into decay.
The resin itself has a viscous structure. Therefore, formaldehyde is added to melanin, converting the resin into a film. Often, manufacturers impregnate the base layer of the laminate with melamine to give it strength.
How laminate is classified in Europe
In European countries, this material is divided into several classes:
- E0 is the safest formaldehyde-free material.
- E1 - this material contains a small amount of chemicals, so it does not pose a danger to human health.
- E2 - the amount of formaldehyde in this material is three times higher than the permissible values.
- E3 - the formaldehyde content in the laminate is off scale: 6 times higher than the norm.
In European countries, it is permissible to use laminates of classes E0 and E1. At the same time, for the arrangement of children's rooms and institutions, the use of class E1 is unacceptable.
Laminate of classes E2 and E3 is not used in Europe at all, it is produced for export. These materials are presented in our hardware stores. If, after a fresh renovation, you notice that an unpleasant chemical smell has appeared in the house, try to take urgent measures.
Maybe this article will not seem to you a convincing argument, and you will not give up using laminate flooring. But then at least keep an eye on the class of the material. Unfortunately, the cost of E0 and E1 laminates is so high that not everyone can afford to buy it.
If you periodically feel that the apartment smells of chemistry, then ventilate the rooms more often. This will somehow reduce the risks.
Despite all the above reasons, this is just my personal opinion! If you have it differently, speak up and justify yours in the comments.
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