How can carpet impact health? Carpets may trap pollutants like dust mites, pet dander, cockroach allergens, particle pollution, lead, mold spores, pesticides, dirt and dust. Toxic gases in the air can stick to small particles that settle into carpets.
Carpet can actually make a home a healthier place to live, keeping fine dust and other particulates out of the air supply. On smooth floors, these particles are always being recirculated into the air as your furnace or air conditioner turn on, or even as you walk by.
Older carpets in particular can contain toxins like endocrine-disruptors, phthalates, and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), which can contribute to a variety of health issues like organ and nervous system damage and cancer.
Dangerous germs found in carpets can make you ill. The Norovirus, linked to causing stomach flu, can survive on an uncleaned carpet for more than one month. But using an older vacuum can cause more harm than good.
Nowhere is this growing concern more evident than when women arduously study ingredient labels on the foods they purchase. But most consumers are unaware that carpets contain over 44 toxic chemicals, some of which are known to cause cancer.
Like carpet fibers and backing, carpet glues and sealants can emit harmful VOCs, may contain toxic petroleum-based solvents, and may be made with the same synthetic rubber used in carpet backing.
Carpets are a catch-all for dirt, with dust mites, pet hair, pet urine, dead skin cells, dust, insect feces, insect husks, bacteria, mold, volatile organic compounds, and many other types of allergens clinging to the fibers.
Carpet fibers often become matted and frayed within just 3-5 years. A carpet can only be expected to last 5-15 years from installation, so if your carpet it starting to look a little beat-up then it's probably time to replace it. Areas that see the most wear and tear are usually the hallways, stairs, and living areas.
The “new carpet” odor is the 4-PC off-gassing, which can cause eye and respiratory tract irritation and may also affect the central nervous system. The adhesive used to affix the carpet to the floor typically contains benzene and toluene, some of the most harmful VOCs.
Carpet pads commonly sold to consumers in the USA and other developed countries contain dangerous chemicals that can cause nervous system damage, particularly in infants and toddlers.
A recent report by the Changing Markets Foundation, the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) and other European NGOs revealed that carpets sold by some of Europe's largest producers contain toxic chemicals, including suspected carcinogens, endocrine disruptors and other substances causing developmental harm.
Carpet is usually the best choice for bedrooms and master bedrooms because it is soft and cozy. It is warm and can reduce sound, versus hardwood, which helps sound resonate and makes bedrooms feel cold.
New Carpet Allergy
In addition to the carpet, the padding and adhesives all emit volatile organic compounds. Some people report symptoms such as upper respiratory irritations, headaches, skin rash , shortness of breath or cough, and fatigue, which they associate with new carpet installation.
You can also sleep in another room during the first two nights after installation. Don't be shy to ask your installer to roll out the carpet in their warehouse first, so that it can air out before it's brought into your home. Try to avoid gluing down carpet to the floor and stay away from adhesives if you can.
While carpet has changed over the years, today, its lifespan is usually anywhere from 5 to 15 years. The length of time that a specific carpet lasts depends on the type of carpet, carpet cushion, carpet fibers, and wear and tear the carpet is exposed to.
There are over 200,000 bacteria in every square inch of carpet, including some truly sickening germs, such as MERSA, campylobacter and norovirus. And that's not even counting the insects such as dust mites or allergenssuch as pollen, pet dander and mold that collect among carpet's twisted fibers.
Carpet May Hold up to 200,000 Bacteria Per Square Inch.
Every carpet is unique. But maintenance schedule is more important than the material or length of the fibers. The longer you allow your carpets to go uncleaned, the more unclean they become—putting your family in increasing harm.
Solid hardwood flooring is considered the safest and least toxic option as it's completely natural and free from any toxins. Solid hardwood floors are made of planks milled from a single piece of timber.
The cost of carpet is generally much cheaper than the cost of laminate flooring, but laminate flooring has the advantage of being longer-lasting, easier to clean, and less likely to suffer weather damage.
For most people carpet off- gassing is a minor issue or non-problem. New carpet does give off some VOCS. It usually takes 1 to 2 days for this to finish after the carpet has been unrolled and is at room temperature. In worst case may take 4 or 5 days.
What to Look for in a Carpet: A fiber that is not treated with toxic chemical treatments – wool and other organic fibers like sisal and jute are the best option. Undyed wool without pesticides is in theory the purest option, but it does have a strong natural odor from the wool oils.
Carpets may be a source of air pollution in your home as they emit a variety of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde, benzene, and styrene.