Carpeting dates back a few thousand years to the Orient when fine design details were woven from thousands of naturally dyed yarns.

The industrial revolution introduced aniline dyes followed by developments in synthetic yarns and in manufacturing processes like tufting which allows yarns to be looped into a backing instead of woven with a warp and weft.
Today 90% of carpets are tufted. Conventionally manufactured carpets end up as a mixture of primarily petroleum and about 100 chemicals, many of which are toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Stain resistants, wear resistants, soil repellents, fungicides, mothproofing and adhesives required to hold the tufts together often release VOCs. Backings are often synthetic materials, sometimes a vinyl coating or layer of foam is applied. Paddings usually used underneath to minimize wear and maximize comfort are commonly made from rebonded foam, nylon, natural wool, or 100% recycled content from used carpeting.
New conventional carpets can outgas these toxic chemicals for a long period of time. To make matters worse, there can be multiple chemical reactions within the carpeting, its many finishes, or reactions to environmental factors. For example, one study found that when humidity rose, carpet chemicals reacted and emitted alcohol. Sunlight can effect deterioration and heat usually intensifies outgassing rates.
Many allergic type symptoms relating to conventional carpeting have been reported. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has received thousands of complaints about carpeting. These complaints include, but unfortunately are not limited to, neurological problems of headaches, dizziness, slurred speech, brain fog, memory loss, chills and fever, anxiety, numbness and seizures. Also reported are flu-like symptoms, depression, sore throats, joint pain and coughing. Many people have acquired multiple chemical sensitivity illness (MCS) which can be disabling and last a lifetime.
One interesting occurrence of toxic carpeting ironically happened at the offices of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in the late 1980’s. Almost immediately after new carpeting was laid, employees started complaining of various health problems. Eventually all 27,000 yards were removed. One chemical, 4-phenylcyclohexene [4-PC for short], a by-product created when making the latex backing, was isolated as being the worst offender. It’s also generally the source of new carpet smell. However, during the legal process, the blame landed on the adhesives and an inadequate HVAC system.
So, what to do with all that carpeting? It is estimated that 3% of our landfills are composed of carpeting and that it takes about 100 years for these materials to break down. When they do, imagine the chemicals, dyes, and synthetic byproducts that have leached into the land and flowed to our water supplies with the rains. Some manufacturers have resolved this by implementing a leasing program. Currently available for commercial buildings, these manufacturers install, maintain and take back their carpet when you’re done with it. Generally, they remake it into other carpeting. Until residential programs are implemented, you can check out our Auction/Salvage Marketplace to buy or sell a used carpet.
If you want to make the healthiest choices, and wish to keep your existing synthetic carpet, you can have a sample tested to determine if it has fully outgassed. If the test results are not to your liking, you can apply a carpet coating that acts like a barrier to most toxins and odors.
When deciding on what choice is right for your situation, you can still choose new carpeting. Many manufacturers are actually heeding the call to produce healthier products and do it in a more sustainable way. These are the kinds of manufacturers included here on the GreenSage site. When it comes to your purchasing choices, they deserve to be supported. We suggest visiting www.carpet-health.org and www.carpet-rug.org to view the perspective of the Carpet and Rug Institute and their Green Label program which lists low-VOC carpeting.
Many natural fiber carpets are available in any combinations of wool, hemp, jute, seagrass, sisal and cotton. Choices are available for untreated, undyed, pesticide-free and formaldehyde-free, non-mothproofed and without stain repellents or fire retardants. Wool has a natural crimp that promotes resiliency and hemp/wool blends have the added advantage of natural UV, mold and mildew resistance. Untreated 100% nylon carpeting is generally considered safe and has been used successfully by some chemically sensitive people. Some nylon carpeting is recycled and some recyclable. If you really want a conventional carpet, several manufacturers offer low-emission carpets. Carpet manufactured from recycled PET (soda pop bottles) is also available.
Carpet backing is now available with a natural rubber latex adhesive and natural jute fiber backing, or synthetic backing.
Carpet padding has also been a source of outgassing. Natural-fiber padding is available and 100% wool felt with no pesticides or glues is an excellent choice. Pads manufactured from 100% recycled textiles and carpet waste can also be a good choice. They're durable and they divert millions of pounds of used carpet into carpet padding instead of otherwise ending up in landfill. We can suggest visiting www.carpetcushion.org to view the prespective of the Carpet and Rug Institute on this material and obtaining a list of padding that qualifies under their Green Label program.
Installation can be done by several methods. Low odor water-based adhesives are available in either natural or synthetic formulas. A hook and loop system (Velcro) or carpet tacks are excellent non-toxic installation choices.
Whatever your choice of carpeting, you need to be sure to care for it properly. Many allergies arise from carpeting. It generates dust and can absorb VOCs and dirt. You may never know all that you may track in from out of doors. Its imperative to keep it vacuumed and cleaned on a frequent basis.