Blog

New Carpeting Can Make You Sick. Find Out What You Can Do About it.

“New” can be a wonderful scent. A new car with leather interior, a fresh coat of paint, new wood furniture, even newborn babies. In fact, ESPECIALLY newborn babies, most of us would probably agree.

Then again, some new household odors aren’t early as inviting. Take the smell of new carpets and carpet padding, for example. That familiar smell can last for weeks or months after installation, and usually is caused by the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde and other air pollutants that are used in the manufacturing process.

Those emissions are also known as “off gassing,” a serious health risk and one that can trigger asthma and other allergic reactions. Sometimes new carpeting and padding are made from plastic or other synthetic fibers, many of which are treated with fire-retardant chemicals which can cause fatigue, skin rashes and other breathing problems.

Since 1993 the carpet industry has required manufacturers to label carpets with a health advisory warning that “some people experience allergic or flu-like symptoms, headaches, or respiratory problems, which are associated with the installation, cleaning or removal of carpeting.”

So, to help eliminate or minimize the potential effects of off gassing the next time you buy carpeting, here are a few pointers to keep handy:

• Look for the green label to show that the carpet meets industry standards.

• Ask the installer to air out the new carpet for a day or two before installation.
• Leave windows open and a fan going for a few days following installation.
• Make sure the installer seals and seams with non-toxic adhesive. Glue is another potential source of indoor air pollution.
• Vacuum frequently and deep clean annually to avoid triggering other allergic reactions.

At Messmer Mechanical, we are indoor air quality specialists who can do even more to help you maintain a pollutant-free indoor living environment all year long. In fact, click here to learn what a whole-house air cleaner or duct cleaning can to help clean up the air you breathe, every single day.