Carpeting & Indoor Air Quality Improvement Guide InspectAPedia® -
Carpeting and indoor air quality
Carpeting VOCs, styrene, 4-PC & Formaldehyde
VOCs from Carpet Padding & Carpet Adhesives
Removing or keeping out indoor contaminants
This article explains possible effects of carpeting on indoor air quality in homes, including the emission of VOCs, formaldehyde styrene, and odors from other sources such as carpet mold.
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Concerns about the health effects of carpeting first gained
national attention in 1988 when new carpeting installed
at the EPA headquarters in Washington, D.C., was linked
to a rash of health complaints among EPA staff. While a
definitive cause never was identified, experts focused
on two main compounds:
The solvent-based adhesive used to install the carpeting and
The chemical 4-PC
(4-phenylcyclohexene), a compound found in the synthetic
latex backing used in 95% of all U.S. carpets. The compound
4-PC gives carpeting its distinctive “new carpet”
odor and is detectable by most people at very low levels.
Styrene, a known health hazard and suspected carcinogen,
is also found in the latex backing on carpeting.
Since 1988, over 500 people have made complaints to
the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) about
new carpeting. The most frequently reported symptoms
have been watery eyes, runny nose, burning sensation in the eyes, nose, and throat, headaches, rashes, and fatigue.
In response, the CPSC commissioned a study of off-
gassing from new carpeting and identified 31 compounds,
but none approached airborne levels known to be hazardous
for short-term exposure.
Long-term effects of exposure to these carpet-associated chemicals or gases were
not studied.
While some suspected formaldehyde (see Formaldehyde Hazards), a
common respiratory irritant, it has not been used in the
manufacture of U.S. carpeting since the late 1980s (with
the exception of some vinyl-backed carpet tiles used in
commercial installations).
Carpet Labeling Program Identifies VOCs, styrene, 4-PC & Formaldehyde
The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI),
an industry association representing carpeting manufacturers,
also took action by launching its “Green Tag” program
in 1992.
The voluntary program tests new carpeting for
four categories of emissions: total VOCs, styrene, 4-PC,
and formaldehyde.
Since national standards do not exist
for carpet emissions, the industry established its own
acceptable levels.
While these might not be as stringent as
some health advocates would like, they have led to a lowering
of emissions by manufacturers eager to display the
Green Tag label.
Labeling Program for Carpet Padding & Carpet Adhesives
Since 1992, the
CRI program has expanded to include carpet pads and
adhesives, suspected by some to be a greater source of
volatile compounds than the carpeting itself.
Also, while
no chemical stands out as the source of most complaints,
the synergistic effect of multiple compounds is not well
understood.
Also, the sensitivity to chemical emissions
varies among individuals, making the effects of new carpeting
on individual occupants difficult to predict.
Air Out Carpet Before Installation or Occupancy
Both CRI and independent health advocates agree that
new carpet emissions drop off rapidly in the first 24 to
72 hours after being unrolled and exposed to ventilation
air.
By increasing ventilation during that time, or if possible,
airing out the carpet for several hours to several days
before installation, most of the chemical emissions can be
avoided. In glue-down installations, seek out low-VOC
adhesives rated at less than 50 grams of VOC content per
liter of adhesive.
Carpeting Alternatives for Sensitive Individuals.
Once installed, carpets can act as reservoirs for contaminants
filtered from the air or tracked in on shoes, including
hydrocarbons, pesticides, and other particulates.
Also, in
high-humidity conditions, dust mites, a powerful allergen,
can thrive in carpets. In homes with small children, people
with allergic conditions, or high-sensitivity individuals,
consider alternatives to carpeting. Area rugs that can be
washed periodically in 130°F water are an option. Where
carpeting is installed, health experts recommend frequent
vacuuming with a HEPA-type vacuum or central vacuum
with an outside exhaust, and periodic deep cleaning using
a hot-water extraction system.
Steven Bliss served as editorial director and co-publisher of The Journal of Light Construction for 16 years and previously as building technology editor for Progressive Builder and Solar Age magazines. He worked in the building trades as a carpenter and design/build contractor for more than ten years and holds a masters degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Excerpts from his recent book, Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction, Wiley (November 18, 2005) ISBN-10: 0471648361, ISBN-13: 978-0471648369, appear throughout this website, with permission and courtesy of Wiley & Sons. Best Practices Guide is available from the publisher, J. Wiley & Sons, and also at Amazon.com.
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[1] "James Hardie's Mesothelioma and Asbestos Legacy Continues, 2009", web search 03/01/2011, www.survivingmesothelioma.com
[2] "The Business Biography of John Wanamaker Founder and Builder, America's Merchant Pioneer from 1861 to 1922", web search 03/02/2011, original source: http://www.archive.org/stream/
businessbiograph011556mbp/businessbiograph011556mbp_djvu.txt
Carpet fibers and padding, Kathryn A. Hairle, [may be unavailable], University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension, 1975
Handbook of Fiber Finishing Technology, Philip E. Slade, 1997, [Quoting Amazon.com]
Gathering hard-to-obtain data from different fiber and fabric manufacturers and suppliers into a single, convenient volume, this practical handbook supplies detailed information on hundreds of textile finish components;including their structural formulae, physical properties, CAS numbers, and effects on various fibers. Promoting a deeper understanding of finish technology, the Handbook of Fiber Finish Technology covers the fundamentals of fiber finish science, such as theories of friction laboratory testing of formulations from preliminary component evaluation to analyses for material characterization the influence of wetting, emulsification, and finish distribution on coatings soil- and stain-resistant chemicals and their applications in carpet protection the degradation of chemicals in the environment, including methods for predicting waste degeneration and more! Complemented with bibliographic citations and nearly 500 tables, equations, and drawings, this expertly written handbook is invaluable for polymer, fiber, and textile chemists, scientists, and engineers; physical, surface, and colloid chemists; textile and fiber manufacturers; and graduate-level students in these disciplines.
Tufted Carpet: Tecxtile Fibers, Dyes, Finishes, and Processes, Von Moody, Howard L. Haber, [Quoting from Amazon]
This book combines Von Moody's original work and research in the carpet industry with the well respected 1986 textile source book, Textile Fibers, Dyes, Finishes, and Processes: A Concise Guide, by Howard L. Needles to produce a unique practical guide on all aspects of the preparation, manufacture, and performance of carpet. It addresses the structure and properties of fiber, carpet construction, coatings, dyes, finishes, performance, and recycling, among other topics.
This volume is an indispensable reference for all practitioners in the carpet industry.
Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair
Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.
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