Vinyl Flooring Research Articles

Indoor Microbiome and Antibiotic Resistance on Floor Surfaces: An Exploratory Study in Three Different Building Types.

Floor materials in indoor environments are known to be reservoirs of microbes. We focused on examining bacterial community composition, antibiotic resistance (AR) and microbial source tracking (MST) of fecal bacteria on the floor surfaces. Swab samples were collected from carpet and vinyl floors in three different buildings (medical, veterinary, and office buildings) from high and low traffic areas. Bacterial communities were determined with 16S rRNA sequencing, and AR (tetracycline (tetQ), sulfonamide, and carbapenem (KPC)) and MST (human-, canine-, avian-, and ruminant-specific fecal bacteria) were examined with quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The results show that Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria were the most abundant phyla. Traffic level significantly affected the number of operational taxonomic units. Traffic level was a key factor for distinctive bacterial community in the medical center. Targeted ARGs were detected from all buildings and tetQ concentration was related with traffic level, and KPC was only detected from the medical center. Most of the floor surfaces showed the presence of dog-specific fecal bacteria (83%) followed by bird-specific fecal bacteria (75%). The results suggest that traffic levels affected the bacterial levels and fecal contamination is prevalent on the floor surfaces. This is the first study that reports KPC presence on the floor surfaces.

Emission characteristics of diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) from building materials determined using a passive flux sampler and micro-chamber.

Emission rates of diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) from building materials, such as vinyl floorings and wall paper, determined using a passive flux sampler (PFS) were constant over the week-long measurement period. Emission rates for vinyl floorings and wallpaper were linearly correlated to the inverse of diffusion distance, which corresponds to the internal depth of the PFS. Surface-air DEHP concentrations (y0) were estimated as 1.3–2.3 μg/m3 for materials having a boundary layer molecular diffusion rate-limiting step. The partition coefficient (Kmaterial-air) was estimated as 3.3–7.5 × 1010 for these materials. Additionally, emission rates of DEHP from same building materials determined using a micro-chamber were 4.5–6.1 μg/m2/h. Mass transfer coefficients in the micro-chamber (hm) were estimated by comparing the results using the PFS and micro-chamber, and these were 1.1–1.2 × 10−3 and 8.1 × 10−4 m/s for vinyl floorings (smooth surface) and wallpaper (rough surface), respectively. The thickness of boundary layer on the surface of building materials in the micro-chamber were estimated to be 2.5–2.6 and 3.7 mm for vinyl floorings and wallpaper, respectively.

Development of new analytical and measurement methods for characterizing the emission of phthalates from building and consumer materials into indoor air

Phthalates are ubiquitous indoor organic pollutants that are found in different building and consumer materials and are known to cause severe human health problems. In this paper, the emission of these compounds from vinyl floorings (VF) into indoor air has been studied using Automated Thermal Desorption-Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (ATD-GC-MS) and a special device known as micro-chamber or thermal extractor (μ-CTE™). So a robust analytical ATD-GC-MS method has been developed and validated to analyse eight selected phthalates. Calibration curves were linear (R2 > 0.99), limit of detection (LOD) was down to 0.004 μg/m3, and the values of relative standard deviation (RSD) were less than 15% for all chosen phthalates. Then, a new micro-chamber measurement method based on diffusion has been developed for studying the emission of Diisononyl phthalate (DiNP) and Di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP) from VF at different temperatures and estimating y0 (gas-phase concentration of phthalates on the surface of the material). This method was quite repeatable with 11% RSD for DiNP and 8% for DnOP.

Support vector machine based real-time terrain estimation for tracked robots

This paper describes the use of support vector machine (SVM) classifier for real-time terrain estimation to improve autonomous navigation of tracked mobile robots. Real-time terrain identification and terrain property estimation has been explored previously for application on a wide range of systems from planetary exploration rovers to commercial vehicles like cars and trucks. A majority of the existing methods rely on the use of dedicated sensors including vibration sensors, accelerometers, cameras, LIDAR, etc., which makes them susceptible to the failure modes of each of these sensors. This work proposes a method for real-time classification of different terrain types based on the state evolution of a ground robot, specifically the measured change in the pose of the robot for a known control input. By using a trained SVM to perform terrain estimation based on the collected state evolution data, the proposed method does not require dedicated sensing modalities solely for the terrain estimation. In addition, this method is generally applicable in all conditions where the robot can traverse. The training data was obtained from four different terrain conditions including vinyl flooring, asphalt, artificial turf, and grass–gravel, to train the SVM to perform terrain estimation. The proposed technique is validated using a skid-steer tracked robot over multiple simulated and real terrain transitions cases, where the response to control inputs is significantly affected by terrain characteristics. The results show that the proposed method provides greater than 80% accuracy in all cases, with fast detection of terrain transitions. The paper concludes with a detailed description on the application of real-time terrain estimation in improving autonomous navigation.

Children's exposure to phthalates and non-phthalate plasticizers in the home: The TESIE study

BackgroundPhthalates and their potential replacements, including non-phthalate plasticizers, are ubiquitous in home environments due to their presence in building materials, plastics, and personal care products. As a result, exposure to these compounds is universal. However, the primary pathways of exposure and understanding which products in the home are associated most strongly with particular exposures are unclear. ObjectivesWe sought to investigate the relationships between phthalates and non-phthalate plasticizers in paired samples of house dust, hand wipes, and their corresponding metabolites in children's urine samples (n = 180). In addition, we compared product use or presence of materials in the household against all compounds to investigate the relationship between product use or presence and exposure. MethodsChildren aged 3–6 years provided hand wipe and urine samples. Questionnaires were completed by mothers or legal guardians to capture product use and housing characteristics, and house dust samples were collected from the main living area during home visits. ResultsPhthalates and non-phthalate replacements were detected frequently in the environmental matrices. All urine samples had at least 13 of 19 phthalate or non-phthalate replacement metabolites present. Hand wipe mass and dust concentrations of diisobutyl phthalate, benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, and di-isononyl phthalate were significantly associated with their corresponding urinary metabolites (rs = 0.18–0.56, p < 0.05). Bis(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate (DEHTP) in dust was also significantly and positively correlated with its urinary metabolites (rs = 0.33, p < 0.001). Vinyl flooring was most significantly and positively associated with particular phthalate exposures (indicated by concentrations in environmental matrices and urinary biomarkers). In particular, children who lived in homes with 100% vinyl flooring had urinary concentrations of monobenzyl phthalate, a BBP metabolite, that were 15 times higher than those of children who lived in homes with no vinyl flooring (p < 0.0001). Levels of BBP in hand wipes and dust were 3.5 and 4.5 times higher, respectively, in those homes with 100% vinyl flooring (p < 0.0001 for both). ConclusionsThis paper summarizes one of the most comprehensive phthalate and non-phthalate plasticizer investigation of potential residential exposure sources conducted in North America to date. The data presented herein provide evidence that dermal contact and hand-to-mouth behaviors are important sources of exposure to phthalates and non-phthalate plasticizers. In addition, the percentage of vinyl flooring is an important consideration when examining residential exposures to these compounds.

Floor finish selection in the design of healthcare facilities: a survey of facility managers

Purpose The purpose of this study is to create a knowledge base for decision-making in healthcare design by seeking, analyzing and discussing the preferences of facility managers of healthcare facilities regarding floor finishes and their selection criteria. The goal is to enable a simplified and holistic selection of floor finishes based on multiple criteria. The authors studied floor finish selection in three healthcare units: emergency, surgery and in-patient units. Design/methodology/approach The authors completed a literature review to identify types of floor finishes currently used in healthcare facilities and the criteria applied for their selection. Using the literature survey results, a questionnaire was designed and administered to healthcare facility managers. The descriptive statistical analysis and the Friedman and Wilcoxon signed-ranks tests were used for reporting and analyzing the survey data. Findings The top five floor finishes used in the healthcare sector were identified as vinyl flooring, vinyl composite tile (VCT), rubber, linoleum and ceramic flooring. The top five selection criteria for floor finishes were durability, infection control, ease of maintenance, maintenance cost and user safety. The non-parametric test results show that the floor finish rankings and selection criteria were similar in the three healthcare units under study. Originality/value The most significant contribution of this research is to the design decision-making process of healthcare facilities. These results offer an understanding of what floor finishes are preferred by healthcare facility managers and why. This knowledge is crucial for designers and facility managers to make informed choices and floor finish manufacturers to keep their product line relevant to the industry.

Effects of Compliant Flooring on Dynamic Balance and Gait Characteristics of Community-dwelling Older Persons.

Compliant flooring while providing the impact force attenuation in the event of falls, its low stiffness characteristic might impair balance and gait which consequently resulted in an increase in the risk of falling. To investigate the effects of compliant flooring on dynamic balance and gait performance of older adults under challenging conditions. A cross-sectional designed with repeated measured. Thirty five community-dwelling older adults (mean age 74.91 ± 6.51 yrs) participated in this study. Modified Dynamic Gait Index (mDGI) and Timed Up and Go (TUG) were used to assess dynamic balance. Spatio-temporal gait parameters were measured under comfortable and maximal speed. All tests were administered on the vinyl and compliant flooring in random order. The time taken to complete TUG and the mDGI scores were similar between the two flooring types (p ≥ 0.05). Overall, gait characteristics were comparable when walking on the compliant and vinyl flooring for both speeds except for swing time, step time, and cadence. The present study demonstrated that compliant flooring did not significantly affect dynamic balance and had minimal effects on gait characteristics. The compliant flooring appears to be safe for installing in self-ambulating older adult's home.

Pathology and Rehabilitation of Vinyl and Linoleum Floorings in Health Infrastructures: Statistical Survey

A statistical survey on the pathology and rehabilitation of linoleum and vinyl floorings is presented. It is based on the visual inspection of 101 vinyl and linoleum floorings, in six health infrastructures in Lisbon, Portugal, which enabled the validation of the classification/nomenclature previously proposed, as well as the corresponding correlation matrices. It was also possible to identify the most common types of anomalies, their probable causes, the most adequate in situ diagnosis methods, and the most useful repair techniques. Anomalies, diagnosis methods, and repair techniques files were also validated. The obtained data enabled anomalies to be related to their causes, in situ diagnosis methods, and respective repair techniques e.g., a high number of scratches/wear were detected associated with dragging of equipment. The conclusions drawn intend to raise awareness among the industry actors and minimize the development of anomalies and their causes at the design and application stages. Furthermore, the main sensitive issues of the cladding system during its service life were revealed, highlighting the importance of a correct maintenance plan to minimize the surface’s susceptibility to various degradation mechanisms.

Fall Risk in Older Adults Transitioning between Different Flooring Materials

As there is lack of understanding about the effect of transitioning between different flooring materials on the gait of older adults, this study investigated the effect of transitioning between a carpeted floor and a vinyl floor on the gait characteristics of older adults. Fourteen older (65 years old and over) and 14 younger (18 to 35 years old) adults walked on different transitional floors by measuring various gait parameters. While the older participants had greater toe clearance than their younger counterparts, the older participants had smaller toe clearance on a carpeted floor than on a vinyl floor, which would increase the probability of a trip-induced fall. Further, the study found the slower transitional acceleration of the whole body COM and the increased friction demand, especially during the toe-off phase, rather than heel contact phase, which will lead to a slip-induced fall on a vinyl floor shortly after transitioning from a carpeted floor to a vinyl floor. Although the increased likelihood of a slip or trip accident was found throughout the changes in gait parameters, the older participants did not perceive of slipping and tripping much. Therefore, the elderly are recommended to be made aware of the danger of slipping and tripping while transitioning between different flooring materials.

Fall Risk in Older Adults Transitioning between Different Flooring Materials

As there is lack of understanding about the effect of transitioning between different flooring materials on the gait of older adults, this study investigated the effect of transitioning between a carpeted floor and a vinyl floor on the gait characteristics of older adults. Fourteen older (65 years old and over) and 14 younger (18 to 35 years old) adults walked on different transitional floors by measuring various gait parameters. While the older participants had greater toe clearance than their younger counterparts, the older participants had smaller toe clearance on a carpeted floor than on a vinyl floor, which would increase the probability of a trip-induced fall. Further, the study found the slower transitional acceleration of the whole body COM and the increased friction demand, especially during the toe-off phase, rather than heel contact phase, which will lead to a slip-induced fall on a vinyl floor shortly after transitioning from a carpeted floor to a vinyl floor. Although the increased likelihood of a slip or trip accident was found throughout the changes in gait parameters, the older participants did not perceive of slipping and tripping much. Therefore, older adults are recommended to be made aware of the danger of slipping and tripping while transitioning between different flooring materials.

Effect of Vinyl Flooring on the Modal Properties of a Steel Footbridge

Damping ratios associated with non-structural elements play an important role in mitigating the pedestrian-induced vibrations of slender footbridges. In particular, this paper analyses the effect of vinyl flooring on the modal parameters of steel footbridges. Motivated by the unexpected high experimental damping ratios of the first vibration modes of a real footbridge, whose deck was covered by a vinyl flooring, this paper aims at assessing more accurately the experimental damping ratios generated by this non-structural element on steel footbridges. For this purpose, a laboratory footbridge was built and vinyl flooring was installed on it. Its numerical and experimental modal parameters without and with the vinyl flooring were determined. The operational modal analysis method was used to estimate experimentally the modal parameters of the structure. The damping ratios associated with the vinyl flooring were obtained via the substraction between the experimental damping ratios of the laboratory footbridge with and without the vinyl flooring. An average increase of the damping ratios of 2.069% was observed due to the vinyl flooring installed. According to this result, this type of pavement may be a useful tool to significantly increase the damping ratios of steel footbridges in order to reduce pedestrian-induced vibrations.

Detection of Protein Toxin Simulants from Contaminated Surfaces by Paper Spray Mass Spectrometry.

Proteinaceous toxins are harmful proteins derived from plants, bacteria, and other natural sources. They pose a risk to human health due to infection and also as possible biological warfare agents. Paper spray mass spectrometry (PS-MS) with wipe sampling was used to detect proteins from surfaces as a potential tool for identifying the presence of these toxins. Proteins ranging in mass between 12.4 and 66.5kDa were tested, including a biological toxin simulant/vaccine for Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEBv). Various substrates were tested for these representative proteins, including a laboratory bench, a notebook cover, steel, glass, plant leaf and vinyl flooring. Carbon sputtered porous polyethylene (CSPP) was found to outperform typical chromatography paper used for paper spray, as well as carbon nanotube (CNT)-coated paper and polyethylene (PE), which have been previously shown to be well-suited for protein analysis. Low microgram quantities of the protein toxin simulant and other test proteins were successfully detected with good signal-to-noise from surfaces using a porous wipe. These applications demonstrate that PS-MS can potentially be used for rapid, sample preparation-free detection of proteins and biological warfare agents, which would be beneficial to first responders and warfighters.

Active Disturbance Rejection Control for Handling Slip in Tracked Vehicle Locomotion

This paper describes the use of an active disturbance rejection controller (ADRC) to estimate and compensate for the effect of slip in an online manner to improve the path tracking performance of autonomous ground vehicles (AGVs). AGVs with skid-steer locomotion mode are extensively used for robotic applications in the fields of agriculture, transportation, construction, warehouse maintenance, and mining. Majority of these applications such as performing reconnaissance and rescue operations in rough terrain or autonomous package delivery in urban scenarios, require the system to follow a path predetermined by a high-level planner or based on a predefined task. In the absence of effective slip estimation and compensation, the AGVs, especially tracked vehicles, can fail to follow the path as given out by the high-level planner. The proposed ADRC architecture uses a generic mathematical model that can account for the scaling and shift in the states of the system due to the effects of slip through augmented parameters. An extended Kalman filter (EKF) observer is used to estimate the varying slip parameters online. The estimated parameters are then used to compensate for the effects of slip at each iteration by modifying the control actions given by a low-level path tracking controller. The proposed approach is validated through experiments over flat and uneven terrain conditions including asphalt, vinyl flooring, artificial turf, grass, and gravel using a tracked skid-steer mobile robot. A detailed discussion on the results and directions for future research is also presented.

Effect of groove width and depth and urethane coating on slip resistance of vinyl flooring sheet in glycerol solution

Abstract Sheet-type resin floors possess a risk of slipping during rains or liquid spills. We investigated the friction properties of vinyl flooring sheets using shoes and glycerol solution, and clarified the combined effect of the groove's depth and width and a urethane coating on the coefficient of friction (COF). According to the analysis, the static COF could be expressed using the spreading coefficient. All the dynamic COFs could be expressed using the spreading coefficient and aspect ratio of the grooves. All the COFs were significantly affected by the interfacial tension at the triple line but were relatively unaffected by the groove shape.

Urinary Phthalate Biomarker Concentrations and Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Risk.

Growing laboratory and animal model evidence supports the potentially carcinogenic effects of some phthalates, chemicals used as plasticizers in a wide variety of consumer products, including cosmetics, medications, and vinyl flooring. However, prospective data on whether phthalates are associated with human breast cancer risk are lacking. We conducted a nested case-control study within the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) prospective cohort (n = 419 invasive case subjects and 838 control subjects). Control subjects were matched 2:1 to case subjects on age, enrollment date, follow-up time, and WHI study group. We quantified 13 phthalate metabolites and creatinine in two or three urine samples per participant over one to three years. Multivariable conditional logistic regression analysis was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for breast cancer risk associated with each phthalate biomarker up to 19 years of follow-up. Overall, we did not observe statistically significant positive associations between phthalate biomarkers and breast cancer risk in multivariable analyses (eg, 4th vs 1st quartile of diethylhexyl phthalate, OR = 1.03, 95% CI = 0.91 to 1.17). Results were generally similar in analyses restricted to disease subtypes, to nonusers of postmenopausal hormone therapy, stratified by body mass index, or to case subjects diagnosed within three, five, or ten years. In the first prospective analysis of phthalates and postmenopausal breast cancer, phthalate biomarker concentrations did not result in an increased risk of developing invasive breast cancer.

Voice Activated Semi-Autonomous Vehicle Using Off the Shelf Home Automation Hardware

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a new trend in technology that is already changing the world in which we live by interconnecting physical objects that can collect or transmit information to us and to each other. In this paper, an application of the use of the IoT is presented by the development of a semi-autonomous utility vehicle using off-the-shelf home automation (smart) components. The system is composed of hardware and software elements that are integrated into a self-propelled scaled down version of an off-road vehicle, a lawn mower. A Web application was built and enabled for Android devices to command and control the vehicle, various applets in the application were enabled to be triggered using the Alexa voice service and an Amazon Tap speaker. The vehicle can be controlled through voice commands and is capable of moving in four directions at five different speeds. It is able to move at an average velocity of 35.7 m/min among its five speeds on vinyl floor, and at an average velocity of 20.8 m/min and 16.3 m/min on concrete and grass, respectively. The ultrasonic sensors installed on the vehicle proved their reliability by stopping the vehicle at an average distance of 7.3 cm away from different obstacles. This paper contributes to existing knowledge on the IoT by providing a demonstration of a semi-autonomous vehicle capable of cloud-based control both with voice commands and through a Web app.

Phthalates and organophosphates in settled dust and HVAC filter dust of U.S. low-income homes: Association with season, building characteristics, and childhood asthma

Phthalates and organophosphates are ubiquitous indoor semi-volatile organic contaminants (SVOCs) that have been widely used as plasticizers and flame retardants in consumer products. Although many studies have assessed their levels in house dust, only a few used dust samples captured by filters of building heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. HVAC filters collect particles from large volumes of air over a long period of time (potentially known) and thus provide a spatially and temporally integrated concentration. This study measured concentrations of phthalates and organophosphates in HVAC filter dust and settled floor dust collected from low-income homes in Texas, United States, in both the summer and winter seasons. The most frequently detected compounds were benzyl butyl phthalate (BBzP), di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP), tris (1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TCIPP), triphenyl phosphate (TPHP), and tris (1,3-dichloroisopropyl) phosphate (TDCIPP). The median level of TCIPP in settled dust was 3- to 180-times higher than levels reported in other studies of residential homes. Significantly higher concentrations were observed in HVAC filter dust as compared to settled dust for most of the frequently detected compounds in both seasons, except for several phthalates in the winter. SVOC concentrations in settled dust in winter were generally higher than in summer, while different seasonality patterns were found for HVAC filter dust. Settled dust samples from homes with vinyl flooring contained significantly higher levels of BBzP and DEHP as compared to homes with other types of floor material. The concentration of DEHP and TDCIPP in settled dust also significantly associated with the presence of carpet in homes. Cleaning activities to remove dust from furniture actually increased the levels of certain compounds in HVAC filter dust, while frequent vacuuming of carpet helped to decrease the concentrations of some compounds in settled dust. Additionally, the size and age of a given house also correlated with the levels of some pollutants in dust. A statistically significant association between DEHP concentration in HVAC filter dust in summer and the severity of asthma in children was observed. These results suggest that HVAC filter dust represents a useful sampling medium to monitor indoor SVOC concentrations with high sensitivity; in contrast, when using settled dust, in addition to consideration of seasonal influences, it is critical to know the sampling location because the type and level of SVOCs may be related to local materials used there.

ПОЛІМЕР-ПОЛІМЕРНИЙ КОМПОЗИТ ОТРИМАНИЙ ШЛЯХОМ ПЕРЕРОБКИ ВІДХОДІВ ПВХ ЛІНОЛЕУМУ

Development of technology for the processing of mixed waste of vinyl flooring by their joint milling and plasticization. The determination of the MFI was carried out according to ISO 1133: 1997 on a capillary viscometer with a constant pressure and temperature (190 ± 0.5) ° C and a weight of 2.16 kg. The thermostability and melting temperature were determined on the Hipro RM 200C plastograph. Mechanical properties were determined on a breaking machine according to ASTM D638. Hardness - using a Shore D durometer, hydrostatic weighing density on an analytical balance RADWAG AS-X2. Equipment for milling and plasticization of a mixture of PVC / PET waste was selected. Qualitative milling of mixed waste is achieved by using a low speed rotary knife grinder with rotor speed of 300 rpm. The properties of the reinforced PVC were obtained. The strength of this film compared with the classic recipe is lower but when by using such materials in the composition it is possible to obtain a material with high physical and mechanical properties and achieve maximum non-waste production which will also have a positive effect on the economy of the enterprise. The technology for joint processing of mixed vinyl flooring waste was developed for the first time. The features of reinforcing PVC matrix with fibers of a PET was obtained at the receipt of films from mixed vinyl flooring waste. The developed technology allows to provide non-waste production of vinyl flooring at enterprises.

Pyrethroid levels in toddlers' breathing zone following a simulated indoor pesticide spray.

Application of pyrethroid insecticides in residential settings may result in children's exposures to these chemicals and possible adverse health effects. Household dust is a recognized reservoir for pyrethroids and a potential medium for multi-route pyrethroid exposure. Young children move and play in a manner that resuspends dust, and since their breathing zone is close to the floor, they will have higher inhalation exposure to pesticide-laden dust than other age groups. Directly measuring a toddler's exposure to household dust presents many logistic challenges. We simulated the dust resuspension induced by a toddler using a robot, which also served as a platform to collect air samples at the toddler's breathing zone height. We performed simulated pyrethroid residential spray and dust resuspension experiments on vinyl and carpeted floors. The mean pyrethroid airborne concentrations in the stationary and mobile samples were 0.065 μg/m3 and 0.143 μg/m3 for the vinyl floor with 1 g/m2 dust loading, and 0.034 μg/m3 and 0.061 μg/m3 for the carpeted floor with 10 g/m2 dust loading, respectively. Pyrethroids concentrations in the settled dust samples were significantly lower than that measured in the stationary and mobile samples in the carpeted floor experiments. Thus, the use of stationary samples and settled dust samples may underestimate a toddler's personal inhalation exposure to pyrethroids in residential houses.

Inspection, Diagnosis, and Rehabilitation System for Vinyl and Linoleum Floorings in Health Infrastructures

AbstractThis paper presents a classification system for the inspection, diagnosis, and rehabilitation of vinyl and linoleum floorings in healthcare infrastructures. First, the identification of the...