Could Your Carpet be Putting Your Health at Risk?

That new carpet you installed in your home may look pretty but could there be danger lurking behind those freshly installed fibers? If reports to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) are any indication, new carpeting may have a hidden downside. The CPSC apparently receives hundreds of complaints on an ongoing basis from the residents of homes where new carpeting has recently been installed. Reported symptoms range from allergic type symptoms to headache and fatigue. Should you be concerned about potential carpet health risks?

Surprisingly, a new carpet can emit up to forty different chemicals known as volatile organic compounds or VOCs after installation. Although the quantity of gases released tends to drop off as the carpet ages, it can take up to a full year before most of the chemicals are released from its fibers. It’s not just the carpeting that can be the source of problems. The glues used to tack down the carpeting as well as the carpet padding can emit VOCs into the air contributing to potential carpet health risks.

When experiments have been conducted on mice using carpet sample fumes, experimental mice developed a multitude of symptoms ranging from neurological symptoms such as tremors and convulsions to brain hemorrhages and paralysis. Potential carpet health risks are further supported by reports of carpet installers who developed a wide range of symptoms including head and body aches as well as gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea after installing carpeting.

Although a connection between carpet fumes and poor health has yet to be firmly established, it’s best to exert caution when making a decision about floor coverings. This is particularly true if you have small children who play on the floor and may be more susceptible to the adverse effects of VOCs emitted from carpeting. Here are some considerations to keep in mind when you consider the installation of new carpeting:

Is carpeting really necessary?

There are a variety of options to carpeting including installation of hardwood floors, granite tile, or vinyl flooring. These types of flooring are ideal if you have family members with allergies since they don’t encourage proliferation of dust mites or mildew.

Ask for a sample.

Consider asking for a small sample of the carpeting you plan to install. Place this in an area where you and your family spend a lot of time for at least a week to see if symptoms develop.

Use ventilation.

If you choose to have carpeting installed, keep windows and doors open as much as possible to promote good ventilation. Consider adding window fans to help vent the VOCs released from the carpeting. You can also ask to have your carpeting aired out before being installed.

Keep children off the carpeting for the first few weeks.

During the first few weeks after installation, release of VOCs will be the highest. During this time keep children off the carpeting as much as possible to reduce their exposure to carpet health risks particularly if they have allergies.

Choose low VOC carpeting.

Although they may be more expensive, choosing a low VOC carpet may reduce your risk of exposure to harmful chemicals. There are a variety of online sites that sell ecologically friendly carpeting that have low chemical emissions. Do a Google search for “low VOC carpeting”. Also request that low VOC glues be used during installation.

Don’t put your family at risk by exposing them to potential carpet health risks. Do your research and choose your carpeting wisely or use alternative flooring.