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To see the conclusion click
here.
The following article was printed
by The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) in August 2001. The CRI is a
trade association committed to educating people about carpet and
dispel untruths and myths.
"The suggestion that carpet causes indoor air quality problems is
a significant issue for the carpet industry to address," said Werner
Braun, president of CRI. "Through research, CRI offers information
that is valuable to medical professionals and to anyone living with
carpet."
The following myths have been identified as the top ten most
persistent misconceptions, according to Mr. Braun.
Myth No.
1
"There are health risks associated with carpet."
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Truth: |
An extensive
toxicological assessment of components of carpet concluded
that the chemicals in carpet pose no health risks of public
concern. |
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Reference: |
In 1994,
Environ Corporation of Arlington, Virginia, prepared a
study, Safety Assessment of Components of and Emissions from
Carpets. The conclusion was: "For the chemicals identified
as being present in, but not emitted from carpet, there is
no reason to believe that they present any health risk of
public concern. For chemicals identified as being from
carpet, no cancer risk of public health concern is predicted
for any chemical individually, or when the predicted upper
limit on risk is added for all potential carcinogens.
Similarly, no non-carcinogenic effects of public health
concern would be anticipated." |
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Myth No. 2
"Mold and mildew can grow in carpet."
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Truth: |
Mold and
mildew exist ONLY where there is excess moisture and dirt
coupled with poor cleaning and maintenance habits. Mold
growth can occur on any surface—from windowpanes to
carpet—that is not properly maintained and when moisture is
extreme. Eliminating sources of excessive moisture, such as
water leaks, and controlling humidity greatly offset the
potential for mold to grow. |
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Reference: |
In a study
conducted by HOST/Racine Industries, six Florida schools
were checked for indoor air problems triggered by high
humidity and reduced ventilation. Dust-lined, moldy ducts
and plumbing leaks onto ceiling tiles allowed mold to grow
and released millions of spores into the air. The research
supported that mold and mildew are not associated with a
particular surface, such as carpet. |
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Myth No. 3
"Carpet is a cause of the asthma and allergy increase."
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Truth: |
Comparison
data from Sweden supports that there is no link between
carpet usage and the incidence of asthma or allergies. CRI
is not aware of any published scientific research
demonstrating a link between carpet and asthma or allergies. |
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Reference: |
A study,
based on historical figures for ten years, was reported by
scientists at the Swedish Institute of Fibre and Polymer
Research. They found that while the use of carpet in Sweden
had steadily decreased since 1975, the occurrences of
allergic reactions in the general population had increased. |
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Myth No. 4
"Carpet is a sink for allergy-causing substances."
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Truth: |
This is true
as stated. The critical point, however, is often missed.
Carpet holds allergen-causing substances tightly and, as a
result, keeps allergens from becoming airborne, minimizing
the level of allergens in the breathing zone. This
translates to lower exposure potential. The allergens held
by carpet’s filter-like effect may be removed by vacuuming,
refreshing the filter-like properties of the carpet to allow
more material to be removed from the air. Vacuuming
mattresses, carpet, and upholstery once or twice a week
removed allergens, including dust mite feces—a known source
of allergen. It is important to use the proper type of
vacuum to minimize re-suspending allergens. |
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Reference: |
In Carpet
and Airborne Allergens, A Literature Review, Dr. Alan
Luedtke refers to the results of a study aimed at
determining the effect of routine vacuuming cleaning that
indicate frequent vacuum cleaning over a short time
significantly reduces house dust and mite allergen levels in
carpets.
Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) studies indicate the effectiveness
of carpet in reducing airborne particles. This data
indicates that soil in carpet is significantly reduced
following cleaning. Visit CRI’s web site to learn about the
Green Label Vacuum Cleaner IAQ Testing Program that approves
vacuum cleaner models that are most effective in soil
removal and dust containment, while keeping carpet looking
good. |
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Myth No. 5
"Carpet is a source of indoor quality (IAQ) problems."
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Truth: |
As noted
previously, an extensive toxicological assessment of
components of, and emissions from, carpet concluded that the
chemicals in carpet "present no health risks of public
health concern." Further, allergens in carpet may be removed
by vacuuming. Vacuum cleaner machines bearing the CRI IAQ
Green Label meet scientifically established standards for
soil removal and dust containment and help maintain good
carpet appearance. |
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Reference: |
EPA/RTI
Total Building Cleaning Effectiveness Study states,
"Organized cleaning contributes to reduction of particle
VOCs and biological pollutants 50%+." Contact the CRI to
request both the Carpet and Your Indoor
Environment and Clearing the Air in Your Home: A
Guide to Safely Minimizing Allergens brochures.
Also referenced is the previously mentioned 1994 report from
the Environ Corporation, Safety Assessment of
Components of and Emissions from Carpets. |
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Myth No.
6
"Carpet is more expensive and harder to maintain than
hard-floor surfaces."
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Truth: |
Properly
maintained carpet only needs vacuuming once or twice weekly
and periodic extraction cleaning. The sweeping, mopping,
stripping, waxing, and buffing that hard surface floors
demand are more laborious and costly. |
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Reference: |
A Building
Office Managers Association (BOMA) study found hard-surface
floors require two-and-a-half times more annual cleaning
than carpet. Consumers may request CRI’s brochures
Carpet, the Educated Choice for Schools,
Carpet Maintenance for School Facilities, and Use
Life Cost Analysis for Commercial Facilities to
learn about the life-cycle cost analysis and the value
carpet delivers through warmth, comfort, safety, and
acoustics in the classroom and at home. |
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Myth No. 7
"Carpet is environmentally non-sustainable."
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Truth: |
CRI member
companies, representing over 90 percent of the industry’s
manufacturers, have an excellent track record over the last
dozen years of decreasing wastes produced and energy
consumed, improving the industry’s sustainability. |
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Reference: |
The Carpet
and Rug Institute’s Sustainability Report, 2001
details the industry’s environmental efforts.
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Myth No. 8
"Carpet is a major emitter of volatile organic compounds
(VOCs)."
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Truth: |
Most new
interior furnishings and building materials emit VOCs for a
period of time. Emissions from new carpet are among the
lowest of any household’s indoor furnishings, and most VOCs
dissipate within 24 hours—even faster with good ventilation. |
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Reference: |
To further
minimize other IAQ concerns, specify low-emitting products,
including CRI Green Label carpet, cushion, and adhesive,
when selecting household products and furnishings. |
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Myth No. 9
"Formaldehyde is used in the production of new carpet."
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Truth: |
Formaldehyde is not used in the carpet manufacturing
process. It is not emitted from new carpet. |
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Reference: |
An article
published in 1989 in the American Textile Chemist and
Colorists Journal stated that research conducted
by the School of Textile Engineering, Georgia Institute of
Technology, under Dr. Wayne Tincher and other researchers
dispelled this widely-held myth. In addition, the CRI Indoor
Air Quality Testing Programs specifically monitor for
formaldehyde emission from new carpet, carpet cushion, and
installation adhesives as part of the industry’s assurance
to the public of the absence of this chemical in these
products. |
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Myth No. 10
"Latex in carpet produces allergic reactions."
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Truth: |
The latex
that holds the fibers and backing together in broadloom
carpet is synthetic. Synthetic latex is not associated with
the allergic reactions of natural latex, which are caused by
the proteins found in natural latex. |
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Reference: |
Carpet is
made primarily of the same innocuous materials found in
clothing and other everyday fabrics, including polyester and
nylon. |
Contact
the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) at 800 882 8846 or visit the web
sites at
www.carpet-rug.com and
www.carpet-schools.com for
extensive information about carpet and rugs.
The Carpet and Rug Institute,
headquartered in Dalton, Georgia, is the national trade association
for the carpet and rug industry. Its members are manufacturers,
suppliers, and service providers, representing over 90% of all
carpet produced in the United States. CRI is the source for
science-based information and insight into how carpet and rugs can
create a better environment - for living, working, learning and
healing.
Conclusion -
When you analyze and compare all
living conditions in today's world, carpet actually makes a
healthier home or facility. You don't have the dust load in the air
as you do with hard floors - all things being equal, of course, and
cleaned accordingly.
So you have two options:
Option #1: Have carpet in the home hold onto contaminants, keeping
them away from your breathing space, and remove these contaminants
with regular vacuuming and professional steam cleaning or...
Option #2: Have hard floors in the home, which do not hold
contaminants but instead allows them to linger in the air resulting
in a higher degree of allergic reactions.
Besides being healthier for
occupants, carpet also makes a safer home or facility. There are
less trip and fall accidents on carpeted surfaces, and if something
is spilled, less of a chance of slipping.
The best thing to do when it
comes to deciding which type of flooring to install is to think
about how it is going to be used. If you want a comfortable, quiet
atmosphere - and a healthy one too - then carpet is the right
choice
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