Asthma or Allergies: Is your Carpet to Blame?
People suffering from asthma and/or allergies can go so far as to think that replacing their carpets with hard flooring will help reduce the symptoms. But is this really a good alternative?
People over the past number of years have become increasingly concerned about indoor air quality, whether or not they have asthma or allergies. One proof is the growing number of air purifier systems on the market. Just do an online search and you’ll find more than ever!
But another proof is the number of people who have decided to tear out most or even all of their carpets and replace them with hard flooring, whether linoleum, laminate, tile, or even hardwood. For various reasons (Sauerhoff, 2008, p. 2), carpet started to get a bad rap a few decades ago and a knee-jerk reaction was to tear it out for these alternatives. One of the reasons was the assumption that carpet contributed to bad indoor air quality, especially troublesome for people with asthma and allergies.
So what’s the truth? Let’s look at actual research to set the record straight.
The hassle (and cost) of tearing out carpet to replace it with hard flooring is IMMENSE. And is hard flooring even a good alternative if you have asthma and/or allergies?
New carpet
Some people might be concerned about indoor air quality after they’ve installed new carpet. For example, some have the idea that it is a source of toxic off-gassing.
However, scientific studies, including those done by the EPA and independent laboratories, have concluded that carpet is one of the lowest emitters of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the indoor environment. Other products, such as paint and wall coverings may emit VOC levels up to ten times higher. This includes floor coverings other than carpet!
Also, with proper ventilation, the minimal VOC emissions and the non-hazardous odor from new carpet dissipates within the first 48 to 72 hours after installation. (The Carpet Primer, p. 40.)
In other words, contrary to popular misconception, the evidence shows that new carpet is one of the least culprits when it comes to agitating asthma or allergy symptoms and to your health in general.
Existing carpet
If you’ve had your carpet for a while, maybe you’re concerned that it’s gotten to a point where it might stir up asthma or allergy symptoms?
The opposite is actually true. Carpet plays the role of an air filter: it traps dust, pollen, and other particles, taking them out of the breathing zone until they can be removed easily by vacuuming. (The Facts about Carpet and Indoor Air Quality for Dealers and Consumers, n.d.)
What about when you walk on carpet? Won’t that stir up airborne contaminants? Studies have shown that dust is not easily re-suspended in a carpeted room by foot traffic and air circulation (The Carpet Primer, 2017, p. 42).
Dust and other contaminants on a hard floor get easily stirred up. Carpet will trap them, acting like an air filter. Click photo to enlarge.
All air filters reach their limit, however. Carpet as an “air filter” works only as good as the degree to which you keep it clean. Thankfully, a well-maintained carpet can last a very long time, unlike the air filter that you need to often replace in an air purifier, furnace, or car engine.
The CRI (Carpet and Rug Institute) gives some tips on the proper maintenance of carpet (The Carpet Primer, 2017, p. 42). These will extend its lifespan, keep its appearance fresh, and keep the indoor environment cleaner:
- Vacuum regularly with a well-functioning vacuum cleaner that features powerful airflow, high-efficiency filtration, an internally-housed vacuum bag, and correct brush height adjustment.
- Remove spills quickly to minimize staining.
- Have carpet deep-cleaned before it shows any signs of soiling, preferably by a professional cleaning service. (A service like mine uses very low moisture or VLM deep cleaning, which reduces the chance of mold growth that is one of the most harmful forms of airborne contamination; Sauerhoff (2018), pp. 7-8, 11-12).
The CRI also recommends that your vacuum – or the one used by a professional cleaner – be certified by their Seal of Approval program (The Carpet Primer, 2017, pp. 42-43). BEWARE: Most of the popular models in stores haven’t earned this certification!
Carpet works only as good as the degree to which you keep it clean.
There is absolutely no harm in interrogating a professional carpet cleaning outfit to see if they use CRI SOA equipment and cleaning products! The long-term welfare of your health AND your carpet is worth asking! Click here to learn more about why it is in your best interest to use only CRI-approved equipment and cleaning products on your carpets. (With a company like Neat Freak Cleaning, this has already been taken care of!)
Life after carpet
If you pre-maturely tore out your carpeting before reading this article or if you still aren’t convinced that carpeting is the best flooring option for asthma and/or allergies, then consider these findings.
A 15-year Swedish study found no link between carpet usage and the incidence of allergy or asthma. In fact, when carpet usage in Sweden decreased by 70 percent, allergy reactions in the general population increased by 30 percent. (The Facts about Carpet and Asthma and Allergy for Dealers and Consumers, n.d.)
Another study by The Swedish Institute for Fibre and Polymer Research found a far more dramatic increase. The study was done on the association between allergens (an asthma trigger) and carpets. The Institute presented factual evidence also showing that there was no direct correlation between the frequency of allergic diseases and the use of carpets.
The study covered the period from 1975 to 1992, during which the use of carpet in Sweden had steadily decreased. The market share of carpet in 1975 was 40% and fell to only about 2% in 1992. During this same time period, the incidence of allergies among Swedes increased approximately four-fold. The study authors believed that allergic reactions in sensitive individuals were not directly associated with carpet, but rather indoor air quality (Sauerhoff, 2018, p. 10).
After Sauerhoff (2018) listed the findings of several other studies exploring the link between carpets and asthma and allergies, he concluded the following:
“… a weight of evidence approach to evaluating existing medical and scientific studies is quite clear. Carpet does not cause asthma. VOC emissions from new carpet do not act as triggers for asthma or allergies. Carpet does not increase the incidence or severity of asthma or allergies in children and adults. From the standpoint of asthma and allergies, well maintained carpet is safe.” (p. 13)
Note the caveat at the end: well-maintained carpet is the key, as explained earlier!
[As the] market share of carpet [in Sweden] ... fell [from 40%] to only about 2% ... During this same time period [1975 to 1992], the incidence of allergies among Swedes increased approximately four-fold.
My conclusion?
Carpet is clearly “in the clear” in terms of not being a culprit for asthma and/or allergies. In fact, you’ve learned that not only does it not contribute to them, it does the opposite: it filters out the airborne contaminants that contribute to them.
However, once again, carpet works only as good at keeping your indoor air clean as the degree to which you keep your carpet clean. The dirtier the “filter,” the less ability for it to clean your air.
I shared some tips earlier on how to clean your carpets, but how often should you clean it? This is the subject of another post. This one is long enough!
A professional deep cleaning is a MUST for any carpet at least once per year. Low-moisture encapsulation minimizes mold growth, one of the most harmful forms of airborne contamination.
Keeping your carpets? Clean them right!
If you have any asthma and/or allergy sufferers in your home or business, then I’m glad you’ve chosen to keep your existing carpets in place (unless they dearly need replacing) instead of relying upon misinformation.
But now you need to find a professional cleaning company whose equipment, cleaners, and techniques don’t stir up any asthma or allergy symptoms!
The good news is that if you live in the service area of Neat Freak Cleaning in southeast Alberta, Canada, I provide both residential and commercial carpet cleaning using a low-moisture encapsulation system that has been proven over decades. (Less moisture = less chance of mold.)
The bonus for those suffering from asthma and/or allergies is that I use only cleaning products that have no VOCs and no added dyes or fragrances. This is also perfect for people who are otherwise sensitive to chemicals.
If you live outside my service area, be sure that whoever cleans your carpets can claim the same. If they cannot, or they’re being vague, or if asking for evidence insults them, then you should look for another company. Your health is infinitely more important than their business!
If you’re going to get your carpets cleaned, clean them right! Check out the links below to learn more about Neat Freak Cleaning specifically and low-moisture carpet cleaning in general.
References
Sauerhoff, M.W. (2008, May 19). Carpet, Asthma and Allergies – Myth or Reality. International E-Journal of Flooring Sciences. https://carpet-rug.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Carpet-Asthma-and-Allergies-Myth-or-Reality.pdf
The Carpet Primer. (2017). The Carpet and Rug Institute. https://carpet-rug.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/The-Carpet-Primer.pdf
The Facts about Carpet and Asthma and Allergy for Dealers and Consumers. (n.d.). The Carpet and Rug Institute. https://carpet-rug.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Asthma-Allergy-Consumers.pdf
The Facts about Carpet and Indoor Air Quality for Dealers and Consumers. (n.d.). The Carpet and Rug Institute. https://carpet-rug.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/IAQ-Consumers.pdf
Neat Freak Cleaning uses the industry’s top VLM system, the proper techniques, and the cleaning products designed to work best with them!
Contact me to book a cleaning, get an estimate, or to learn more about very low moisture carpet cleaning!
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