Low VOC Flooring for Easy Breathing

ASTM Laboratory Test Results Show CALI Flooring as Ultra-Low VOC

Customer safety has always been CALI's #1 priority, which is why we continue to provide low VOC flooring to keep our customers and their families safe from harmful emissions. For years we have worked with the leading emissions detection laboratory Benchmark International to test for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including formaldehyde. We also maintain transparency by making all of our testing available upon request.

Some Facts to Help You Breathe Easy: 

• Several of our floors register formaldehyde concentration levels as “Not Detectable” with less than 0.005 parts per million (PPM). This means they are Ultra-low.
• Even flooring with detectible levels is still measured lower than the strictest California Air Resources Board (CARB) Phase 2 standards (0.05 PPM).
• Test results for most CALI floors show formaldehyde levels at less than the amount found in the typical air we breathe (0.02ppm).
• We use only virgin PVC in the manufacturing of our vinyl planks, meaning we know where it comes from and that it’s free from contaminants.

Unlike other companies that cut costs by utilizing low-quality materials, CALI takes extraordinary care in our sourcing and manufacturing. Our proprietary quality control process, which includes the use of superior materials, adhesives, and manufacturing techniques, makes it possible for us to offer a product that is beautiful, durable, and safe. 

TSCA compliance

All CALI products containing composite wood (veneer and composite cores which include adhesive glues and resins) are in full compliance with the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) which is regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This federal act sets formaldehyde standards in composite wood products. It’s aimed at preventing the sale of goods that produce harmful emissions.

To reach compliance, CALI meets strict control processes at every step along our supply chain – from where we source our raw materials and how they're made into planks, to importation and final delivery to customers. To do this, we partner with a third-party agency that visits production plants and reviews our documentation to make sure all standards are being met. Our floor planks and core materials are also independently tested at random to ensure emission limits are maintained.

Learn more about CALI TSCA compliance here.

CARB compliance

CARB stands for California Air Resources Board which, like TSCA, also regulates the amount of formaldehyde that can be emitted from composite wood products. Traditionally, CARB standards were higher than TSCA due to California’s strict environmental protection laws. But in 2016, the EPA decided to raise TSCA requirements to align more closely with CARB. This change did not affect CALI production because our products were already meeting the stricter CARB requirements. 

Learn more about CALI CARB compliance here.

What does VOC mean in flooring?

The term Low VOC describes floor coverings, underlayments, and adhesives which release minimal emissions and are safer for those who consistently come into contact with them. Volatile Organic Compounds are carbon-based and vaporize under high pressure. In high amounts, these can be harmful for homeowners and their families.

What is the safest flooring?

The safest flooring typically has very low harmful emissions. These are measured by parts per million. Ultra-low VOCs are 0.000 PPM; floors with ultra-low formaldehyde concentration are the safest available.

What is formaldehyde?

Formaldehyde can be a naturally occurring chemical in lower concentrations, but is often used for embalming, or as a bonding agent or solvent. Formaldehyde is classified as a volatile organic compound (VOC), meaning it is a chemical that becomes a gas at room temperature. As a result, products made with formaldehyde will release the gas into the air in a process called off-gassing. If higher concentrations of formaldehyde are off-gassed and breathed in, it can cause serious health problems.

What contains formaldehyde?

Formaldehyde is in just about everything. Apples, shampoo, and the air we breathe contain trace formaldehyde. Higher levels of formaldehyde can be found in certain building materials such as particle board, plywood, paneling, pressed-wood, and laminated wood building materials, including furniture and flooring.

How do I protect my family?

Awareness is the best defense. When shopping for new flooring, researching the floor’s formaldehyde emissions and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is vitally important. Flooring is a material that will be in your home for a lifetime, that you and your family will live with every day. Never install any engineered wood building products in your home without getting the formaldehyde emissions test results first. Only use “interior-grade” pressed wood products. Use air conditioning and dehumidifiers to maintain a moderate temperature and increase ventilation, particularly after bringing new sources of formaldehyde into the home.

For homeowners who are unsure of the safety of engineered wood materials, including flooring in their home, Benchmark International (BMH) offers formaldehyde testing at a reasonable cost. BMH is one of the world’s largest and oldest accredited, independent testing laboratories. With experience testing engineered wood products since 1956, the company uses a state-of-the-art formaldehyde emissions testing chamber for the most accurate, dependable results. 

Breathe easy, with CALI Flooring.

For additional information, visit the EPA website.