N
Glam Journal

Can laminate flooring make you sick?

Author

Chloe Ramirez

Updated on April 03, 2026

Can laminate flooring make you sick?

It’s glue that holds together the thin laminated layers of wood flooring. Formaldehyde can leach from products in a gaseous form, and be inhaled. The National Cancer Institute says that high levels of formaldehyde may cause irritation of the skin, eyes, nose, and throat, and may cause some types of cancers.

How long is laminate flooring toxic?

Laminate flooring will emit gas for about 10 years in total. But, keep in mind that formaldehyde emissions decrease over time, which reduces the toxicity levels over the years.

Why does my laminate floor smell?

Generally, the new laminate floor smells of formaldehyde gas. The smell of gas is typical on new floors. Laminate floors emit this gas for many days, but the emission decreases over time. Food, smoke, dirt, pets, insufficient cleaning, etc., on the new floor can also release smell.

Does laminate flooring give off VOCs?

Does laminate flooring give off VOCs? As we mentioned, laminate flooring does contain adhesives. And generally, adhesives do contain VOCs. The good news is that you can find non-toxic laminate flooring by purchasing products that are GreenGuard Certified and that contain less than a certain amount of VOCs.

Is the laminate flooring in your home toxic?

Laminate flooring provides a healthy, non-toxic alternative. Here’s why you won’t have to worry about installing non-toxic laminate flooring in your home. No Glue Installation. Laminate floors are installed without using toxic glue or chemicals.

What kind of chemicals are in laminate flooring?

The laminate floor is made through wood-bonding adhesives that can be toxic to humans and animals. It consists of melamine resin formaldehyde, cyanuric acid, isocyanates, and aluminum oxide.

What happens if you re-install laminate flooring?

Now, what if the formaldehyde has transferred into the subfloor so if we re-install any kind of porous flooring (like carpet) then it would only allow the formaldehyde to rise through the new flooring into our living space? Is this a realistic possibility? What can we do to test the level of formaldehyde in the indoor air?

Are there any health issues with vinyl flooring?

Honestly, vinyl plank flooring has minimum health issues. At present, the manufacturer companies stop using phthalates and provide phthalate-free LVP floor. But most of the websites that sell laminate floors or other types of flooring mislead us using some authoritative resources link.

What are the health risks of laminate flooring?

“Health risks of people who have the laminate flooring are being revised to reflect greater exposure to formaldehyde , which could cause eye, nose, and throat irritation for anyone. The estimated risk of cancer associated with exposure to the flooring increased,” the report said.

Does laminate flooring off gas?

Laminate flooring is made using adhesives and that is why it releases formaldehyde gas, which could be toxic to you, kids, and even pets. Most laminate products off-gas for about 10 years but some brands have a very low level of the toxic gas that is considered safe for flooring.

How much formaldehyde is in laminate flooring?

Not necessarily because the amount of formaldehyde in the laminate flooring, if present, can vary due to how the flooring is made. Formaldehyde is normally present at low levels, usually less than 0.03 parts per million (ppm), in both outdoor and indoor air.

Are laminate floors toxic?

Laminate flooring is toxic, because the wood-bonding adhesive and top layer contain and emit chemicals, which are harmful to our health. Although consumers force the industry toward more safe options, still the following toxins are used to manufacture laminate flooring: formaldehyde, melamine, cyanuric acid, isocyanates and aluminium oxide. Aug 11 2019