Have you seen the April 2009 issue of National Floor Trends Magazine? It features an article from Carpet And Rug Institute president Werner Braun entitled, Scientific Facts Dispel Carpet and Asthma Myths. The article looks at what Mr. Braun calls the “urban myths” of carpet – that it causes, or at least worsens, allergy and asthma symptoms, and contributes to unhealthy indoor environments.“I can’t imagine a world without carpet,” the article begins, and frankly, neither can I. There was always carpet in many areas of my house growing up, and it was the same at my friends’ houses. “So, what’s not to like about carpet?” the article asks, and I have to agree – it’s beautiful, comfortable, safe and healthy – yes, I said healthy.
But carpet is also losing market share, and aside from the predictable ebb and flow of changing home fashion trends, carpet is plagued by a persistent myth that it contributes to unhealthy indoor air quality and can act as a trigger for asthma and allergies.
Mr. Braun’s article refers repeatedly to a study compiled for CRI by Mitch Sauerhoff, a respected toxicologist who surveyed professional literature and more than 23 scientific studies for his report, “Carpet, Asthma and Allergies - Myth or Reality.”
In it, Dr. Sauerhoff concludes that the negative perceptions and persistent, long-held beliefs on carpet’s alleged negative characteristics are not consistent with current research. He states that:
“Based on the available science, carpet does not cause asthma or allergies and does not increase the incidence or severity of asthma or allergies symptoms. In fact …multiple studies have reported fewer allergy and asthma symptoms associated with carpet.”
In the final paragraph of the NFT article, Mr. Braun points out that, “For more than 50 years, millions of consumers have enjoyed the benefits of carpet. Billions of square yards of carpet have been installed in the vast majority of United States’ homes and office buildings, with very few health-related complaints.”
He’s right, of course, but it’s hard to dispel an urban myth once it gets entrenched in the collected zeitgeist of popular culture, junk science, and the media.
Almost as hard as pulling an alligator out of a toilet, and you know how hard that can be. Still, you have to try, and at CRI, we’ve got our sleeves rolled up, and we’re pulling as hard as we can.
Thanks to National Floor Trends, and to all our friends in the media who help us in the struggle.
Bethany
You can also download a pdf version of the article, "Scientific Facts Dispel Carpet and Asthma Myths."
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