CRI's Werner Braun Addresses Carpet & Allergies

Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI)'s Werner Braun Addresses Ad Linking Carpet and Allergies

In both an editorial that appears in the May 17/24 issue of Floor Covering News and a guest column in the Dalton, Georgia Daily Citizen-News, Carpet and Rug Institute President Werner Braun explains the carpet industry’s reaction to a Lumber Liquidators ad. The ad features a quote from a customer that reads, “We are excited to be rid of the carpet and (hopefully) the allergy symptoms it caused…”

The Floor Covering News editorial is titled, “An Open Letter to Lumber Liquidators”. Here’s an excerpt:

“My first reaction was disappointment. I’ve been in and around the floor covering industry long enough to know how destructive and demoralizing the business climate becomes once competitors start taking pot shots at each other.

I don’t know how many magazines ran the ad, or even whether it’s still being placed in different publications, but it’s safe to say that a large audience of consumers has been exposed to its message. Without question, CRI and its members (many of whom manufacture hardwood as well as carpet) feel that this kind of product-bashing advertising is detrimental to the entire flooring industry and runs counter to the business ethics that promote a sense of balanced, but healthy, competition that presents consumers with the benefits of different floor coverings.

But worst of all, the ad’s message that carpet causes allergies is simply incorrect.”

The article goes on to point out how research conducted independently and on behalf of the CRI clearly demonstrates that there is no scientific link to the use of carpet and increased asthma and allergy symptoms. It refers to the study, “Carpet, Asthma and Allergies - Myth or Reality,” by noted toxicologist Dr. Mitchell Sauerhoff that seeks to find the evidentiary support linking carpet use and increased asthma and allergy symptoms. The study explains how, after reviewing over twenty different U.S and international studies, Dr Sauerhoff found that none existed. The entire article is posted online as part of the International Journal of Flooring Sciences.

Werner says, “Choice is good, in flooring and everything else. CRI’s position is that keeping the air inside a house healthy for allergy sufferers and everyone else isn’t so much about what flooring product you use as how you keep it clean. Carpet and hardwood both require frequent cleaning – a homeowner must work just as hard sweeping and mopping hardwood floors as they do vacuuming and occasionally deep-cleaning their carpets. Maybe even harder.

I like to think that most flooring professionals share my view that flooring beautifies the home and negative or inaccurate messages affect the entire flooring industry.”

Thank you, Werner, for speaking out on this important issue.

~Bethany

For the Daily Citizen-News article "Don't bash me to sell yours" click on this link.