Carpet and Rug NON TOXIC

CARPET AND RUG RESOURCES

Carpets and Rugs - Non-Toxic Carpet Companies
Children's Health Environmental Coalition

Carpets and rugs, like sponges, tend to both soak up and release pollutants.

Carpets and their pads are havens for dust mites, which have been shown to contribute to and worsen allergies and asthma.

Other pollutants, such as pesticides, animal dander, lead dust, and chemicals from cleaners and other household products, can sink into the fibers, within easy access of children.

Synthetic carpeting contains many chemicals in its adhesives and glue strips, the underlay or rug pads, and additional chemical treatments from stain- to moth-proofing.

Many of the chemicals used on carpets are volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which vaporize, or "offgass", easily into the air. Some VOCs found in carpets include benzene, styrene, toluene, xylene, and formaldehyde.

Although off-gassing from carpets decreases significantly several months after installation, carpets can emit these fumes for as long as five years. And, old or new, carpeting continues to absorb allergenic dust and toxic cleaners.

Safeguarding Against Rug "Burn"

The best way to avoid the pollutants associated with carpets is by removing the carpets.

"We had a wall-to-wall carpet in our bedroom and on our stairs, and I had it ripped it up when my daughter was diagnosed with asthma at two and a half," says Patty Arlotta, a mother of two in Bronx, New York. "Her symptoms have [now] greatly improved," Patty says of her asthmatic child.

Floors made of wood, ceramic tile, cork and other materials can be cleaned easily and frequently. They do not "trap" dust and particles as do carpets and rugs. If a softer cover is desired, floors can be covered by washable rugs.

Many families can't give up carpets altogether. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce the risks associated with carpets.

What to Look for in a New Carpet

Purchase carpets made from natural fibers. Organically grown wool, cotton, hemp, jute, ramie or goat hair costs are sound options. Organic fibers are grown with no synthetic chemicals.

Purchase carpets made with undyed or vegetable dyed fibers.

For minimal chemical off-gassing, buy carpets with no or little finishes, such as stain repellents.

To avoid hazardous adhesives, choose a backing-free, flat-woven dhurrie or kilim.

Purchase untreated wool or camel’s hair felt pads rather than synthetic foams, foam rubber, latex, or plastic underlays that contain hazardous chemicals.

Allow time and space for offgassing for all newly purchased carpets. Ask the company to air it out in its warehouse for at least three days before delivery. And, for at least 72 hours after installation, open windows to disperse VOCs.

Don’t rip out carpets when pregnant or if you have asthma, as this will release plenty of dust and VOCs into the air. Keep asthmatic children out of the home when carpets are removed!

Before laying down new carpet, vacuum floors. Clean both sides of carpets and pads.

Tack carpets down rather than gluing. Or use low-VOC or water-based adhesives.

Keeping Carpets Clean and Safe

To control allergens from dust mites that live in your carpets, use anti-dust mite sprays (that contain tannic acid). Vacuum at least twice a week with a strong suction machine, preferably one that uses a HEPA (High Energy Particulate) filter, or one which traps dust particles down to at least 0.1 micron size.

Do not expose synthetic carpets to direct sunlight or temperatures above 80 degrees F, as they emit more fumes when heated up.

Carpets harbor allergenic mildews or molds in humid environments. To prevent excess humidity, don’t steam clean dampened carpeting, and, avoid wall-to-wall carpeting in bathrooms and kitchens.

When cleaning, use mild cleaners instead of detergents containing solvents. You can even steam clean without detergent. (Make sure the carpet dries thoroughly.) AFM makes a gentler carpet cleaner.

off-gas

Many chemicals used in consumer products can be released as fumes, or gases. The process is called "offgassing." These gases can become trapped indoors and levels can increase in concentration over time if there is poor ventilation. These gases can also resolidify as particles that settle onto surfaces and floors, where they may be picked up on hands and then ingested accidentally. Some products, such as carpets and particleboard, may offgas for many months, while others, such as paints, offgas only when wet.
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Nontoxic Carpet Companies

AFM (American Formulating and Manufacturing)

Avalon Carpets

Bellbridge, Inc.

CDC Carpets and Interiors

Colin Campbell and Sons, Ltd.

Crate & Barrel

E.C.O. of New York (Environmental Construction Outfitters)

Earthweave Carpet Mills, Inc.

Eco-Wise Environmental Products

Einstein Moomjy

Environmental Home Center

Floorworks