The carpet industry has worked very closely with academic institutions, the government, and independent laboratories to evaluate carpet's role in the indoor environment. Throughout those evaluations, scientific evidence has indicated no links of adverse human health effects to VOC emissions from carpet. Although it is highly unlikely you will experience any effects from your new carpet, some individuals have reported allergy-like symptoms after new carpet has been installed. Some of these reports investigated by the CPSC resulted in a conclusion that it "could not establish a cause and effect relationship between the carpet and health effects experienced."
New carpet is a very low emitter. As with most other indoor products, choosing a low-emitting product, ventilating, and cleaning are the keys to good air quality.
New carpet's emission level will drop significantly within the first 24 hours of installation, and with fresh air ventilation, the emission level will dissipate to an undetectable level within 48 to 72 hours.
This possible odor usually comes from 4-phenylcyclohexene (4-PC), a by-product of the latex binder used to hold the fibers and backing together. It, like a "new car" odor, will dissipate within a few days and is not harmful.
Look for and purchase a carpet, cushion, or floor covering adhesive that displays the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) Indoor Air Quality Testing label. These three indoor air quality testing programs identify the products that have been tested and meet stringent indoor air quality requirements for very low emissions. The programs cover carpet, carpet cushion, and floor covering installation adhesives.
* View research findings by Dr. Alan Hedge, professor of design and environmental analysis at Cornell University Click Here
Learn more about how carpet can result in cleaner air in the indoor environment at http://www.carpet-health.org
In the testing programs for carpet, separate carpet cushion, and floor covering adhesives for carpet installations, samples are collected from the manufacturer's production process. Each sample is tested individually for chemical emissions by an independent laboratory, using a dynamic, environmental chamber and highly sophisticated, scientific analytical technology. Volatile organic compound emissions are identified and quantified as though the products were in a real building indoor environment. Products that meet the emission criteria are allowed to display the label. Products are retested on an on-going basis to ensure compliance. In each of these programs, the authorized label displayed on the product contains an identification number assigned specifically to the individual manufacturer for each product type that meets the criteria.
No. All types of carpet have very low emission levels, regardless of whether they are natural or synthetic fibers.
Always choose carpet, cushion, and adhesives that display the CRI Indoor Air Quality Testing label. Before carpet is installed, ensure that the installer will follow the installation guidelines (CRI 105) established by the Carpet and Rug Institute . Follow the installation guidelines -- common sense procedures and the guidelines for keeping your home environmentally friendly -- at the end of this brochure.
The backing latex on broadloom carpet is not a natural latex. The latex that bonds carpet fibers and the backing fabrics together is made from a synthetic latex, "SB latex" or styrene butadiene latex. SB latex is a synthetic, water emulsion made from compounds different from those found in natural latex. Latex allergies are the results of protein enzymes in natural latex. SB latex used in carpet does not cause the allergic, dermatological reaction associated with natural latex.
No. Formaldehyde is not used in the carpet manufacturing process in the United States. Sometimes, formaldehyde can be found in old carpet and other home textiles that have absorbed formaldehyde from other environmental sources.
Manufacturer applied dyes and stain and soil-resist treatments are included in the finished carpet tested in its entirety in the CRI Testing Program.
All household cleaning products and pesticides add emissions. Read the contents of the label on the container. If you have decided to use the product, be sure to vacuum thoroughly after each use to reduce any residue.
No. Most mite allergen is found in bedding and upholstered furniture. Exposure to mite allergen usually occurs while sleeping, sitting, or through direct surface contact with the allergen itself. Dust mite allergen is very large and is not released from carpet into the breathing zone, even during periods of heavy activity. Maintaining humidity levels below 65% and regular vacuuming and cleaning will minimize mite population in your home.
One of the approaches that allergists use in allergy treatment is allergen avoidance in the belief that the removal of all possible places where allergens are held will reduce allergic symptoms. This is a misconception. Although allergen (dust, pollen, mold spores, etc.) may be present in carpet, carpet is not a source of airborne allergen that produces allergic symptoms.
No. Removing carpet will not reduce the number of airborne allergens that produce allergic reactions; in fact, removal of carpet may actually increase the amount of airborne allergen, because other surfaces do not offer the capability of holding allergen. Removing allergen materials from a carpet is as easy as regular vacuuming and routine cleaning.