Are carpets bad for our health?

Most of us love the feel of carpets under our feet. Carpets give our homes a luxurious look and children and adults love to play, and even sleep, on them. However, carpets have received negative attention in the media and have even been blamed for causing some health problems. Do we have good reasons to be concerned?

There is not much need for carpeting in Jamaica as it is a tropical country. We love the look of decorative tiles in our homes as they are easy to maintain, so carpets are not very popular here. Nevertheless, there are still many persons who go for that feel of the carpet between their naked toes.

One of the concerns that has been expressed about carpets is the chemicals which are used to make them. These include 4-phenylcyclohexene (4-PC) and styrene, which are released from the latex backing of the carpets, which helps to hold it together.

These are toxic substances, but fortunately, the amounts that are released are minuscule and have not been shown to be harmful. Formaldehyde and vinyl acetate are released from vinyl-backed carpets, but again, in insignificant amounts. As an extra precaution, some recommend that the carpet be aired out in the warehouse for at least 72 hours before installation.

Others concerns include the adhesives which are used to hold the carpets in place. These have been shown to emit potentially harmful fumes into the air. Fortunately, the adhesives that are currently being used release almost none of these fumes. This is due to a change in the way they are manufactured and processed at the time of installation, and so the health risks have been greatly minimised.

Carpets can also trap many things which might also prove to be health hazards. Examples include dust, mites, moulds, and mildew. Faecal matter from dust mites, which feed on shed human skin flakes, are known to aggravate asthma and other allergic conditions. Carpets that remain wet for more than 24 hours may grow mould and mildew, and this can result in respiratory problems.

To minimise health problems, use a modern carpet, keep it dry, do not walk on it with shoes worn outdoors, vacuum at least three times weekly with a high-efficiency particulate air filter and have it installed safely.