The main considerations when selecting wallpaper for your house are frequently style and color. Nevertheless, the components that go into wallpaper can have a big impact on your home’s general health and air quality.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are released by certain wallpaper varieties, are dangerous substances that can pollute indoor air. This is particularly worrisome in areas with poor ventilation.
Making educated decisions that safeguard your family’s health requires knowing which kinds of wallpaper may be harmful. This post will discuss the most prevalent kinds of dangerous wallpaper and what to look for when selecting one.
Type of Wallpaper | Potential Harm to Health |
Vinyl Wallpaper | May release harmful chemicals like formaldehyde, especially in hot or poorly ventilated rooms. |
Textile Wallpaper | Can accumulate dust and allergens, which may trigger respiratory issues. |
Paper Wallpaper with Synthetic Dyes | The dyes used might contain toxic substances that can be harmful if inhaled. |
Foam Wallpaper | Often contains styrene, which can release toxic fumes over time. |
A brief overview of wallpapers by degree of harmfulness
This article will give a brief summary of the most popular types of wallpaper and a list of potentially harmful chemical compounds that may be included in their composition. This will help readers understand the questions of whether vinyl wallpaper is harmful or not, as well as how harmless this or that type of wall covering is for decoration.
The reader will also receive a brief instruction guide to assist them in selecting the safest wallpaper for their own home.
Vinyl fabric roll’s end cut.
Chemical substances in the composition of wallpaper
It is common knowledge that finishing materials derived from natural raw materials and devoid of artificial components are the healthiest. But under current circumstances, this is all but impossible, as it is extremely difficult to achieve the necessary performance qualities of the material without the use of chemical additives.
These days, even the safest wallpapers have some chemical elements in them. The most hazardous ones, which have the potential to seriously impair human health, are listed below.
- The most common compound used in many finishing and building materials is polyvinyl chloride, or PVC for short. It is part of almost all vinyl wallpapers, so more detailed information about it will be discussed in the next section.
- Benzene is a toxic substance, has pronounced carcinogenic properties. Can be part of the protective coating of low-quality washable wallpaper, which should not be used for pasting bedrooms, children"s rooms and living spaces.
- Formaldehyde is also a highly toxic substance that can evaporate into the room for a long time. Can be part of washable laminated wallpaper. Not recommended for use in conditions of high humidity and high temperature.
- Organic solvents based on acetone, nitrobenzene, xylene or toluene can be the basis for paint on low-grade wallpaper from an unscrupulous manufacturer. In the process of evaporation with prolonged exposure, they can cause health problems.
- Also, some dyes, mainly dark colors, may contain lead compounds or other heavy metals that are poorly excreted from the body, disrupting the function of the liver and kidneys.
The image displays an all-purpose glue for thick wallpaper.
Counseling! It is advised to only use adhesives from reputable manufacturers when gluing any wall covering because some wallpaper glue varieties that are produced outside of hygienic standards can be hazardous in addition to the wall covering material.
Features of vinyl coating
The so-called vinyl wallpaper holds a special place among other materials used for decorative wall finishing. It is made of a non-woven or paper base that is covered in a solid or textured layer of polyvinyl chloride that repeats the texture of any material or forms a pattern.
Inside the kitchen, there is vinyl flooring.
Because of this coating’s excellent performance characteristics and high aesthetic qualities, it has become widely used.
It is easier to maintain the wall’s surface due to the wallpaper’s high wear resistance and durability. However, you should still research whether vinyl wallpaper is safe to use in residential apartments before making a purchase.
- First of all, it must be said that the degree of harmfulness of polyvinyl chloride largely depends on compliance with the production technology. In fact, during operation, PVC can release active chlorine into the atmosphere, however, if technical regulations are observed, modern products made of polyvinyl chloride comply with sanitary standards, so the release of active substances does not exceed permissible limits.
- PVC film is not vapor-permeable and does not have breathing properties, so condensation can accumulate in the thickness of the wallpaper base or under them, which contributes to the formation and development of mold fungus.
- Another negative quality of vinyl coating is its fire hazard. PVC itself does not support combustion and has a self-extinguishing property, but under the influence of high temperatures it can melt and release caustic smoke and toxic gases into the atmosphere.
- There is an opinion that silk-screened wallpaper is much safer than other types, but you should know that the basis of the silk-screen image is a coating of PVC film, to which artificial or natural silk fibers are added.
Growth of a mold fungus beneath wallpaper.
Kindly take note! By using contemporary vinyl wallpaper, you can reduce the amount of dangerous elements. Thus, new technologies allow solid vinyl film to be made porous, giving it breathable qualities, and add antiseptics and antifungal additives to the base, which combined greatly lower the chance of mold growth.
Safe wallpaper
Since residents spend the majority of their free time in bedrooms, living rooms, and children’s rooms, special consideration should be given when selecting wall coverings for these spaces.
There are several types of wall coverings that can be identified as among the healthiest materials.
- Classic wallpaper on a paper or fabric base made from natural raw materials most fully meets the requirements of environmental and sanitary safety. They are breathable and do not emit harmful substances. Another positive quality of such a coating is the ease of gluing with your own hands and a relatively low cost.
Paper-based textile wallpaper that is safe for the environment.
- A relatively new type of coating called glass wallpaper, combines the environmental friendliness and lightness of cellulose paper and the high protective properties of natural quartz glass. This type of coating is absolutely moisture-resistant and at the same time does not promote the development of mold and pathogenic bacteria. In addition, it is highly wear-resistant and does not emit harmful substances into the air. Its only drawback is its rather high price compared to other types of similar materials.
Variety of fiberglass wall coverings.
- Another type of wall covering, which differs significantly from the usual roll materials, is popularly called liquid wallpaper. It is a plastic building mixture that is applied to a pre-prepared wall, and after drying forms a durable moisture-resistant coating with a characteristic chaotic pattern of selected colors.
Surfaces covered in liquid wallpaper appear like this.
Regarding the question of whether liquid wallpapers are harmful, the answer is not possible because they are primarily made of naturally occurring mineral components and hardly contain any artificial ones.
Wallpaper made of or treated with toxic materials is the most harmful to human health. One example of this is vinyl wallpaper, which over time may release harmful chemicals like volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Particularly in poorly ventilated areas, these compounds can exacerbate indoor air pollution and cause allergies, respiratory disorders, and other health problems. Selecting wallpaper composed of non-toxic, natural materials is a more secure way to keep your home healthy.
It’s crucial to take your health into account when selecting wallpaper for your house. Certain wallpapers have the potential to release toxins into the air, especially those made of vinyl or treated with dangerous chemicals. These compounds have the potential to cause a variety of health problems and add to indoor air pollution, particularly for those who are sensitive.
Selecting wallpaper composed of eco-friendly or natural materials, like textile or paper-based wallpaper, is a wise choice. These solutions can improve the quality of the living space and are less likely to include dangerous materials.
In the end, keeping your home safe and healthy for you and your family can be greatly impacted by being aware of the materials and chemicals used in your wallpaper.