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.
You may be able to tell whether there is mold in your carpet by simply looking at it. If mold is in its advanced stages, then it may develop a discoloration. You may notice black or green spots all over your carpet. Keep in mind that the area underneath your carpet may develop discoloration before the carpet does.
Since 1993, the carpet industry has required carpet manufacturers to label their products with a health advisory warning that “some people experience allergic or flu-like symptoms, headaches, or respiratory problems, which are associated with the installation, cleaning or removal of carpeting.”
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.
Off-gassing materials emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and small particulate substances throughout the life of the material. This can cause many of the symptoms you're experiencing including headaches, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath, and asthmatic reactions.
Nothing good comes from wet carpet. But you may not realize just how bad damp carpet can be for your health. The presence of mold can cause a variety of health issues, but the presence of mycotoxins cause severe stomach irritation and infection.
For homeowners who prefer natural cleaning methods, a baking soda and white vinegar mixture can be effective for killing some mold. In addition, baking soda and vinegar can help eliminate tough odors resulting from musty fungi. For light mold problems, sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda onto the carpet.
Allergies In Your Carpet
As the carpet can build up with bacteria, so can your chances of allergies. All of the unpleasant germs in your carpet can eventually bring you an allergy attack if not maintained. Allergy symptoms can range from skin irritation, sneezing, runny & stuffy nose, coughing and more.
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.
Allergens cause the immune system of some people to activate as it tries to fight off something it mistakenly thinks is harmful. The overreaction of the immune system causes common allergy symptoms like a chronic cough, sneezing, watery eyes, and a runny or stuffy nose.
Dust allergies can cause wheezing, asthma attacks, bronchial infections, dermatitis and other allergy-related problems. Dust also contains chemical particles, including pesticides and other dangerous substances found in and around your home. Exposure to these may cause long-term health problems.
Toxic mold can also have a grayish, soot-like texture, or a slimy, wet surface. In some cases, you may even notice furry orange or brown spots. If you find mold with any of these qualities in your home, don't get too close, and call a professional right away.
There are no home mold tests that indicate personal exposure. Medical lab analysis is necessary to determine whether an individual's blood or urine shows indications of exposure to harmful spores, mVOCs or mycotoxins.
If you have a mold allergy, your immune system thinks certain mold spores are invaders, or allergens. So, when you inhale spores, your body reacts by triggering sneezing or nasal congestion. This can happen immediately or after exposure, depending on your body.
Can you sleep in a room with wet carpet? Definitely not. There could be spores of mold in the area that can cause you to become sick.
Soaked carpets can cause numerous respiratory problems
The more severe the carpet water damage is, the greater your exposure to mould spores. This can lead to several respiratory complications such as emphysema, asthma, tuberculosis, and even cystic fibrosis.
An equal solution of vinegar and baking soda diluted in some water is an old method that still works today. Place the solution throughout the home in small, open containers to help pick up some of the new carpet off-gassing during the first week after the carpet install.
If your new carpet is giving off a smell, chances are you have nothing to worry about. The small amount of chemicals in that odor is unlikely to make you ill, and the odor should be gone within a week or two as long as you properly ventilate the room.
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.
Sprinkle some baking soda on the carpet, leave it overnight and vacuum it up in the morning. The baking soda will definitely help absorb the odor. Place small bowls of vinegar around the room when the carpet chemicals smell the strongest.