According to the Environmental Science & Technology, vinyl flooring in daycares and schools expose children to phthalates which have been linked to developmental and reproductive problems. Phthalate is known endocrine disruptors.

The lead researcher notes that polyvinyl chloride (PVC) also known as vinyl, is the second-most produced plastic and is common in flooring.  Phthalates increase the flexibility and durability of PVC and are key ingredients in PVC materials used in vinyl flooring and other products such as toys, food packaging, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, soaps and medical devices.  Phthalates leach out of products into the air and duct. 

The team of researchers used an X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzer to test the floors of 50 public and private daycare centers.  “This is the first study to verify the sources of phthalates with an XRF analyzer and to evaluate the relationship between phthalate concentrations and PVC-verified materials,” the scientists state.