Formaldehyde-Free Flooring: How to Avoid Hidden Toxins in Your Build

An essential guide for specifiers and commercial developers on why choosing Impervia’s mineral-based, non-toxic flooring ensures healthier, safer spaces.

Many traditional flooring products contain hidden toxins like formaldehyde, which can compromise indoor air quality and harm occupants’ health. This post explores why formaldehyde-free flooring matters and how Impervia’s non-toxic, mineral-based MGO core flooring offers a safer, smarter choice for your next project. To safeguard your build, using Impervia’s non-toxic flooring ensures you exceed regulatory standards.

What is Formaldehyde and Why Should You Care?

Formaldehyde is a colourless, strong-smelling gas widely used in the production of building materials and household products. It’s most commonly found in adhesives, resins, and sealants that bond composite wood products like MDF, plywood and particleboard. These materials are often used in flooring, cabinetry, and furniture, meaning formaldehyde can be present in almost every modern interior.

The problem lies in off-gassing, a process where formaldehyde-containing materials release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air over time. These emissions can accumulate in poorly ventilated or energy-efficient buildings, leading to unhealthy indoor air quality.

Health concerns linked to formaldehyde exposure include:

• Short-term effects – Eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches, and exacerbation of asthma symptoms.
• Long-term effects – Prolonged exposure has been linked to certain types of cancer, with formaldehyde classified as a human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
• Increased risk for vulnerable groups – Children, older people, and those with respiratory conditions are more susceptible to its harmful effects.

For commercial property developers and specifiers, indoor air quality is a major health consideration, as well as a regulatory and reputational one. As standards like the WELL Building Standard and BREEAM prioritise occupant health and well-being, avoiding materials with formaldehyde is critical for certification and futureproofing your projects. For more technical details, see UK Government guidance on formaldehyde.

How Flooring Contributes to Indoor Toxins

Many engineered wood, laminate, and vinyl floors use adhesives and finishes that release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including formaldehyde, into the air over time. This off-gassing can last for months or even years after installation, silently affecting indoor air quality.

As a specifier or developer, choosing materials without harmful VOCs is key to creating safer environments and achieving certifications like WELL, BREEAM or LEED.

Choosing Safer Alternatives: What to Look For

When sourcing healthier flooring options, consider:

✔ Low or zero VOC certifications (e.g., FloorScore, Greenguard)
✔ Non-toxic adhesives and finishes
✔ Mineral-based cores that don’t rely on harmful resins
✔ Proven durability to avoid frequent replacement and potential re-exposure

Why Impervia’s Flooring is Different

Impervia’s flooring has been designed to support healthier buildings without compromising on style or performance.

• Formaldehyde-free guarantee: Our mineral-based MGO core is completely free from formaldehyde and harmful VOCs.
• Durability and stability: It is resistant to moisture, fire, and everyday wear, making it ideal for commercial and residential applications.
• Sustainable and safe: Perfect for developers and specifiers aiming for eco-certifications and healthier indoor environments.

This means you can confidently specify Impervia flooring, knowing it supports occupant health and long-term project performance.

Build Without Hidden Toxins

As indoor air quality takes centre stage in building design, formaldehyde-free flooring is no longer optional—it’s essential. Choosing materials like Impervia’s non-toxic, mineral-based flooring helps create safer, healthier spaces for everyone who uses them.

Ready to specify flooring that protects your build and your occupants? Discover Impervia’s non-toxic flooring today.

Many traditional flooring products contain hidden toxins like formaldehyde, which can compromise indoor air quality and harm occupants’ health. This post explores why formaldehyde-free flooring matters and how Impervia’s non-toxic, mineral-based MGO core flooring offers a safer, smarter choice for your next project. To safeguard your build, using Impervia’s non-toxic flooring ensures you exceed regulatory standards.

What is Formaldehyde and Why Should You Care?

Formaldehyde is a colourless, strong-smelling gas widely used in the production of building materials and household products. It’s most commonly found in adhesives, resins, and sealants that bond composite wood products like MDF, plywood and particleboard. These materials are often used in flooring, cabinetry, and furniture, meaning formaldehyde can be present in almost every modern interior.

The problem lies in off-gassing, a process where formaldehyde-containing materials release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air over time. These emissions can accumulate in poorly ventilated or energy-efficient buildings, leading to unhealthy indoor air quality.

Health concerns linked to formaldehyde exposure include:

• Short-term effects – Eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches, and exacerbation of asthma symptoms.
• Long-term effects – Prolonged exposure has been linked to certain types of cancer, with formaldehyde classified as a human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
• Increased risk for vulnerable groups – Children, older people, and those with respiratory conditions are more susceptible to its harmful effects.

For commercial property developers and specifiers, indoor air quality is a major health consideration, as well as a regulatory and reputational one. As standards like the WELL Building Standard and BREEAM prioritise occupant health and well-being, avoiding materials with formaldehyde is critical for certification and futureproofing your projects. For more technical details, see UK Government guidance on formaldehyde.

How Flooring Contributes to Indoor Toxins

Many engineered wood, laminate, and vinyl floors use adhesives and finishes that release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including formaldehyde, into the air over time. This off-gassing can last for months or even years after installation, silently affecting indoor air quality.

As a specifier or developer, choosing materials without harmful VOCs is key to creating safer environments and achieving certifications like WELL, BREEAM or LEED.

Choosing Safer Alternatives: What to Look For

When sourcing healthier flooring options, consider:

✔ Low or zero VOC certifications (e.g., FloorScore, Greenguard)
✔ Non-toxic adhesives and finishes
✔ Mineral-based cores that don’t rely on harmful resins
✔ Proven durability to avoid frequent replacement and potential re-exposure

Why Impervia’s Flooring is Different

Impervia’s flooring has been designed to support healthier buildings without compromising on style or performance.

• Formaldehyde-free guarantee: Our mineral-based MGO core is completely free from formaldehyde and harmful VOCs.
• Durability and stability: It is resistant to moisture, fire, and everyday wear, making it ideal for commercial and residential applications.
• Sustainable and safe: Perfect for developers and specifiers aiming for eco-certifications and healthier indoor environments.

This means you can confidently specify Impervia flooring, knowing it supports occupant health and long-term project performance.

Build Without Hidden Toxins

As indoor air quality takes centre stage in building design, formaldehyde-free flooring is no longer optional—it’s essential. Choosing materials like Impervia’s non-toxic, mineral-based flooring helps create safer, healthier spaces for everyone who uses them.

Ready to specify flooring that protects your build and your occupants? Discover Impervia’s non-toxic flooring today.