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CARPET MYTHS
Carpet has had several of these occurrences over the past 30 years and without exception, each news story was eventually found to be false. Numerous court cases have been thrown out based on these myths, yet the news media fails to follow up to correct misperceptions once they have been created.
In preparing to shop for carpet, you will be confronted with many of these myths by physicians, friends, family, teachers, and other professionals. Many of the myths related to
chemical emissions,
allergies,
Kawasaki Syndrome,
dust mites, and
mold and mildew have been Myth - Carpet contains formaldehyde Fact - Formaldehyde was first identified as a possible carcinogen in 1973. The carpet industry immediately went to work in removing all possible sources in which formaldehyde could be introduced into carpet components. The carpet industry was the first industry to proactively establish chemical emissions standards for their product and every carpet is now tested for formaldehyde emissions. More than 10 years later other industries are now being forced to adopt emission standards, similar to the voluntary testing program that the carpet industry initiated in 1992. Myth - Carpet is a source for allergic reactions Fact - While carpet may trap allergens within its pile, the electrostatic properties of carpet tends to hold these allergens, thus limiting airborne release. Other flooring materials allow allergen to become airborne with every footstep. The best bet for limiting allergic reactions is to clean carpet regularly. Carpet cleaning has been proven highly effective in removing allergen from within the carpet pile. Myth - Dust Mite Allergen in carpet causes allergic reactions Fact - Numerous studies have examined airborne release of dust mite allergen from carpet. Since dust mite allergen is extremely heavy and very difficult to lift from the carpet pile to become airborne, few allergic reactions would be anticipated from allergen within carpet pile. Without inhalation it is very difficult to stimulate histamine production (allergic reactions). Our pillows probably exhibit far more allergic reactions from dust mite allergen, since the allergen must be inhaled directly from a contaminated surface. Myth - Latex used in carpet causes allergic reactions Fact - Latex allergy is caused by natural proteins found only in natural latex. Carpet does not use natural latex. Carpet uses a synthetic SBR latex, which does not contain natural proteins that produce allergic reactions in latex sensitive individuals. Also See Carpet and Allergies and Health Scares for other examples of myths that have gotten past good science to become public misperception.
Click on the links
below to learn more about carpet.
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but become unsubstantiated fact simply because it has been reported as news.
