Out of all the flooring materials, carpet is the most dangerous. This is due to the various components of carpet that release chemicals into the air. This off-gassing that takes place is toxic to people, and can be increased due to exposure to heat and sunlight. The parts of the carpet that take part in off-gassing are: the carpet fibers, the backings, finishing processes (stain resistance and mold proofing), and the adhesives. The padding beneath the carpet is also found to contribute to the off-gassing process.
The air quality of a carpeted space is also due to the vacuuming being done. It's impossible to remove all dust and allergen particles. Also, those allergens and dust can become airborne when an inefficient vacuum filter is used. Then, any of the damp methods of cleaning carpet can lead to mold, mildew, and dust mites.
A solution to this problem is to use hard surface flooring materials.
Over 60% of homes in the US contain carpet. "Volatile organic compounds" (VOCs) are a group of chemicals found within carpet. They include chemicals such as: toluene, benzene, formaldehyde, ethyl benzene, styrene, acetone, and more. Some of these toxins have even been called by the EPA, "Extremely Hazardous Substances". P-Dichlorobenzene is a known carcinogen found in carpet. The side effects of these chemicals include: fetal abnormalities in test animals, hallucinations, nerve damage and respiratory illness in humans. The "new carpet" smell is caused by 4-PC, which side effects include eye, nose and upper respiratory problems. Moth proofing contains naphthalene, which can cause toxic reactions, especially in newborns. Fire retardants often contain PBDE's which cause damage to thyroid, immune system and brain development.
Perfluorinated Compounds (PFCs) are chemicals used to help make a material stain and stick resistant. There is little government testing surrounding PFCs. PFCs are what make carpet stain resistant. PFCs include PFOA or perfluorooctanoic acid and PFOS or perfluorooctane sulfonate. These two groups are linked to causing cancer in lab animals.
PFOAs are linked to cause various cancers (like breast, liver, and testicular). Along with PFOSs they can lead to birth defects, weakened immune system and Altered Hormone System Function, also known as endocrine disruption. 3M is a major company that would like to make a healthier product, so they have been conducting studies to see the effects of PFCs on humans throughout the years.
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