Synthetic Carpet vs. Natural Carpet During Pregnancy and Beyond
May 18, 2008
INTERESTED IN SEEING HOW CARPETING CAN AFFECT YOUR PREGNANCY AND FAMILIES HEATH?
Keep Reading…
* Synthetic carpet can give cause for health and environmental concerns.
* According to the EPA, because of the chemicals included in the carpet, there is the potential to reduce Indoor Air Quality
because of the emission of VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds) from the adhesives used to lay the carpet.
Note; the VOC’s are most toxic in the first 48-72 hours so if you do choose to go with a synthetic carpet, give yourself a few days away to let the air quality return to a better state of clean.
* One of the most chemically laden parts of the carpeting is the backing, which is necessary to give the carpet structure. The most common adhesive is Polypropylene which can carry with it chemicals such as Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) and Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) to name a few.
* Some of the adverse effects of synthetic carpeting are:
- Eye irritation
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Asthma
- Nervous System Disorders
* Older carpet may contain Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PDBE’s) which have been phased out of production under the “Toxic Substances Control Act”. Formerly, PBDE’s were used at flame retardants.
If like me, you have synthetic carpeting there are a few steps you can take to make it “safer” for your family.
- Vaccum Often to reduce the presence of dust mites.
- Use a Natural Carpet Cleaning Service. (I use Alpine Specialty Cleaning www.alpineclean.com, click HERE to see more information on cleaning frequency and SafeClean Green Products
)
- Use area rugs made out of natural fibers.
As you can see wall-to-wall synthetic carpeting may be the mainstream option, but it is certainly not the way to go for a newborn baby or when you are expecting. Luckily, more natural alternatives such as
* FLOR
* Natural Wool Carpeting
are fairly easy to find. Just make sure that the wool is untreated without any harsh chemicals.
WOOL vs. SYNTHETIC CARPET: What to look for…
* 100% Natural. Wool should not be treated with any chemicals.
* Primary backing should be made of Hemp and Cotton vs. synthetic Polypropylene.
* Secondary backing should be made of Jute.
* Adhesive should be made of Natural Rubber.
* Renewable and Biodegradable.
Ultimately, this will ensure better indoor air quality, and lower risk of exposure to synthetic chemicals.
If you would like the full scoop and even more options from the EPA on synthetic carpets and natural alternatives, here is the EPA’s suggestions for Greening your Carpet.
I hope you found the above information helpful and useful for creating a healthier and safer environment for you and for your family. If you have any questions about the above article, please feel free to email me at:
pregnancyandbabyinformation@gmail.com.
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