How common do you guys think this is?
I can see how toxins get into vinyl flooring if flooring has gone unnoticed by regulatory agencies. I’m always looking for sources of lead for example ead in ceramic wall tile is actually unregulated by the EPA.
Personally I lick every floor inspected to test for toxins…only way to be sure…
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Your posted article is full of shit in the first paragraph. I did not read further.
“Toxic chemicals in flooring can be a significant source of indoor air pollution.”
Then this:
“4.3 million of those deaths were attributable to indoor air pollution.”
But, they left out one key statement from their source material
"WHO estimates that indoor air pollution caused 4.3 million deaths in 2012 in households that burn wood, coal or biomass as cooking fuel, "
Source material from the article.
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Here is an interesting article about lead in tiles.
Also, never cut ceramic tiles inside. Use a face mask and then seal your grout once installed.
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Well, yes this alarmist language is common in these kind of articles. Indoor VOCs are not likely to cause 4.3 million deaths a year 
But it may be that toxins such as lead are present in cheap vinyl flooring. Flooring isn’t regulated like lead paint is as far as I know, and no one in the environmental industry tests vinyl flooring for anything but asbestos.
I’m asking based on your experience how common or uncommon lead and other toxins might be in cheap vinyl floor tile.
I do not know the answer, but I like the question. So, we can share some findings.
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This is true. I don’t sample ceramic tile unless they are going to demo. If I need a lead sample I take a dust wipe.
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Asbestos, for sure.
A quick story: A clorox wipe I submitted as a blank sample once came back positive for lead
That’s weird. Bad lab or bad wipe. Neither are good.
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I use a supply of lab mice.