Marmoleum Health Aspects

    By Forbo

    Marmoleum has no adverse health issues whatsoever, either during production, its useful life, or disposal. Quite the opposite is true. Read below to find out the health benefits of Marmoleum.

    Marmoleum is the "natural" choice when health concerns are involved. For this reason it is broadly applied in many hospitals, as well as being recommended by medical professionals to people with respiratory disorders.

    Bactericidal Properties - Micro-organisms

    The bactericidal properties of linoleum prevent micro-organisms including Salmonella Typhimurium and Staphylococcus Aureus from multyplying themselves. The bactericidal properties of Marmoleum have been independently tested by both the TNO (Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research) and NAMSA (U.S.), both respected scientific institutes.

    Further testing carried out recently by TNO (August 1998) demonstrated that Marmoleum has the same bactericidal properties against MRSA (Methiciline Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus). MRSA is antibiotic resistant and infections caused by this notorious hospital bacterium are very difficult to treat.

    Prevention of Household Mites

    The number of people suffering from allergic reactions due to the presence of household dust mites is continually increasing. The presence of these mites is one of the major causes of allergy, asthma, and other respiratory disorders. The best solution is to avoid dust. Non-textile floor coverings help to reduce the accumulation of dust and dirt.

    Keeping the floor free of dust is essential because it is the place where dust tends to accumulate most. Wageningen Agricultural University (the Netherlands) has conducted a study into the mite Darmatophagoides pteronyssimus. The study included testing in both private residences (living rooms and bedrooms) and schools (classrooms), and showed that smooth floor coverings have the lowest concentrations of dust. This is the primary reason the medical profession often recommends smooth floor coverings, such as Marmoleum, which can be kept dust-free more quickly and easily, preventing household mites from multiplying.

    The Netherlands Asthma Foundation also recommends smooth floor coverings, such as linoleum and vinyl, because they make for simple, efficient cleaning.

    Anti-Static Properties

    Static electricity causes electric charge to accumulate on people or objects. When discharged, this may give the well-known but unpleasant "electric shock". Static electricity is also, however, a very strong magnet to attract and accumulate dust. Unlike most other floor coverings, Marmoleum possess naturally occurring anti-static properties. Not only does this reduce the potential for electric shock, but it also makes the floor easier to clean since dust and dirt will not easily adhere to the floor.

    Studies conducted by VIBA (the Netherlands Association for Integrated Biological Architecture) and the American Research Institute Stephen Halpern further underscore the anti-static properties of linoleum.

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