Unless you have unsealed rock, but only certain types from certain quarries, then you have something that is possibly toxic as your floor. The same goes for your wood frame and drywall (especially the drywall) and any paints or wallpaper glues |
We got LVP in our basement. I think it’s less toxic than the molds that grow with perpetually damp flooring.
Most new stuff is off gassing awful poisons. The best things you can do are buy good air filters, open as many windows and doors as often as possible, and use old stuff where possible. Most of our furniture is vintage so I figure most of it stopped off gassing in the Wilson or Kennedy administrations. |
Porcelain tile is a great option that is relatively inert compared to so-called "luxury" vinyl plank and "engineered" wood floors, which often just have a very thin layer of real wood, with the rest of the product manufactured and often containing toxic substances like formaldehyde. Unlike tile made from clay, porcelain doesn't need to be sealed and resealed. You do have to care for the grout, and seal it periodically, but that's far less surface area of sealant than the whole tile, so less chemicals are needed. |