Cost of Wood vs. Carpet
Carpeting is more economical, right? Actually, carpeting lasts between seven and ten years under normal residential use. Hardwood floors can last a lifetime and are always in style.
Here's a 30-year comparison test you can use when trying to decide between carpeting or wood flooring. Say you installed a hardwood floor. It would typically last for 30 years. During that same period you probably would have to install new carpeting four or five times. At that rate, the hardwood flooring actually costs less than the cumulative cost of all the carpeting you would have to install.
Another thing you need to consider is the cleanliness of your home. A large American company that recycles old carpeting has stated that most used carpeting it receives for processing contains at least 35% of its weight in household dirt. The families who owned this old carpeting were actually walking, or crawling on dirt. Hardwood flooring is simply cleaner. If it is dirty, the dirt is plainly visible to the eye, not hidden within carpet fibers. Hardwood flooring my be your best buy and most solid investment.
If you have Asthma , Allergies or Chemical Sensitivities and want to learn why you should choose wood flooring over carpet than here is a great artical on the health hazards of carpet
Sierra Magazine Hearth & Home: The Carpet Cure
Some matters can't be swept under the rug. by Mindy Pennybacker
When I was four years old, I used to play "The Wizard of Oz" on a flowered carpet with the boy downstairs. We'd spin around in the middle of our field of poppies until, like Dorothy and the Cowardly Lion, we'd fall down in a swoon. These days, however, you don't have to pretend in order for a carpet to make you feel faint. If you suffer headaches, dizziness, or even tremors while indoors, and your symptoms abate in open air, your trouble could be just underfoot.
Although it may look innocent enough just lying there, synthetic carpeting contains volatile organic compounds (VOCs), petrochemicals that rise into the air you breathe. The Environmental Protection Agency has identified 900 of these pollutants commonly wafting indoors. Synthetic carpeting contributes carcinogens such as benzene, formaldehyde, and sty-rene and neurotoxins such as toluene and xylene to that unhealthy ether. Pregnant women, crawling babies, and romping children are especially vulnerable to fumes.
While "offgassing" drops markedly several months after installation, carpets can issue these fumes for as long as five years in amounts troublesome to the chemically sensitive. Old or new, carpeting also absorbs allergenic dust and mold, as well as VOCs from pesticides and cleaning agents.
Following consumer complaints about environmental sickness, in 1991 the attorneys general of 26 states petitioned the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission to require warning labels on carpets, but to no avail. To date, the EPA maintains that there is no evidence that synthetic carpet causes health problems‹a curious disclaimer given that in 1988 the agency removed 27,000 square feet of new carpeting from its own headquarters after rampant staff illnesses. (Nineteen of those EPA workers have sued for $40 million.)
The regulatory vacuum has left the $9.5- billion-a-year carpeting industry ample room to manufacture soothing hype about its wares. The Carpet and Rug Institute recently unveiled its "Green Tag" program, a carpet-testing system that allows the industry to issue itself a seal of "environmental responsibility"‹a program the attorneys general of New York, Vermont, Connecticut, and Oregon have declared inadequate.
Until a green tag on new carpeting represents more than greenwashing, consumers should stick with natural fibers. Organically grown wool, cotton, ramie, or goat hair can be more expensive than nylon, but cost less in anxiety and hold up well. Sisal (a type of hemp) or coir (a fiber from coconuts), are cheaper alternatives. (Jute, however, should be avoided, as it's often treated with pesticides.)
Check the backings. Tufted fibers are usually affixed to the carpet with an adhesive that contains 4-phenylcyclohexene (4-PC), an eye and respiratory-tract irritant that can also affect the central nervous system. (That distinctive "new-carpet" aroma is the odor of 4-PC offgassing.) Find a manufacturer that uses untreated rubber or latex, or avoid the hassle altogether by choosing a backing-free, flat-woven dhurrie or kilim.
Additionally, be careful of the carpet's cushioning. Opt for an untreated wool or camel's hair felt underlay rather than synthetic foams.
Finally, if a carpet must be glued down rather than tacked, try an adhesive that explicitly states it's low-VOC or water-based.
Even a safe carpet, alas, will not keep itself clean. Yet many commercial carpet-cleaning solutions and powders have been linked to outbreaks of Kawasaki Syndrome, an inflammation of blood vessels that is the leading cause of acquired heart disease in infants and youngsters. Again, seek out low-VOC-content and plant-based cleansers. A fine-particle high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter in your vacuum cleaner will help suck up molds and dust mites in between cleanings.
As it warms bare feet, absorbs noise, and protects children from bumps and bruises, a carpet can add a lot to the comfort of home. Natural floor coverings can enhance that sense of security.
Mindy Pennybacker edits The Green Guide, the newsletter of Mothers and Others for a Livable Planet, 40 W. 20th St., New York, NY 10011; phone (888) ECO-INFO.
For another great source of information about asthma and carpet click here
Toxic Carpeting Important Points to Remember
Negative Health Affects
1. Lack of acute reactions to toxic carpeting are common, but the
chemicals may be causing serious damage nonetheless.
The ASTM E981 tests on carpeting are *short-term* exposure which
tests for respiratory and neurological reactions. It is of note
that some carpeting was so toxic that short-term exposure to
animals caused serious reactions, including death. The ASTM E981
test *does not* measure immunological problems caused by carpet
exposure according to Mark Goldman of Anderson laboratories. The
mouse would not be the best model for testing immunological repsonse.
Nor does the test measure health effects from long-term exposure to
toxic carpeting.
Therefore, the lack of acute adverse reactions (e.g., headaches,
breathing difficulties, seizures, etc.) does not mean that the
chemicals coming off of the toxic carpet is not causing slow,
silent damage. One can see from the health affects suffered
by carpet installers that the carpeting can and does cause
serious adverse effects from long-term exposure -- from
neurological problems to possibly contributing to or causing
cancer.
Many people are developing disorders such as Chronic Fatigue
Syndrome, Lupus, Fibromyalgia, psychological illnesses, etc.
None of these people *expected* to get their illness. I believe
that carpeting will make a person much more susceptible to getting
a chronic illness in the future. Therefore, whether or not you
are one of the many who have adverse to reactions to carpet
immediately, you are setting yourself up for future problems by
dosing yourself with dangerous chemicals on a regular basis with
carpeting.
Please pay attention to this warning. Sucking down toxic chemicals
may seem okay now, but you may pay a very heavy price in the future.
2. Health Problems Linked to Carpeting -- What To Do?
If you think that your health problems may be caused or
contributed to by toxic carpeting, first contact the Citizens for
Safe Carpet (P.O. Box 39344, Cincinnati, OH 45239, 513/385-1111).
They can help walk you through the steps you need to take. In
addition, your may want to contact the Environmental Access
Research Network (EARN) (P.O. Box 1089, Minot, North Dakota 58702-1089,
701/837-0161).
You will need to contact your healthcare practitioner
immediately. You will also need to be tested to see if the
carpeting is the cause of the problem. Contact the groups
mentioned above so that you don't forget any important steps.
Whatever you do, *do not* contact the Carpet and Rug Institute to
have them send out a team to "help" you with the problem. They
are not there to help you, only to put the blame on everything but
the carpet. Of course, looking at other possible causitive
factors is important, but the CRI will never admit the carpet causes
a serious problem. Do not contact the EPA or Consumer Product
Safety Commission (CPSC) with the expectation of getting help with
the problem. While they may do good work on other issues, they are
in bed with the industry on this issue, so do not trust anything they
say.
If you or your family has suffered serious adverse effects from
toxic carpeting, you may want to consider being part of a class
action lawsuit. While I am not a big fan of lawsuits, this
appears to be the only leverage we have in protecting the public, as
the agencies sworn to protect the public are doing more to help the
industry poison the public than they are to protect the public as far
as the carpeting issue is concerned. In addition, many people
deserve compensation for the damage that the carpeting has caused.
Testing
1. Testing carpet emissions *does not* necessarily help assure lack
of toxicity. As mentioned earlier, there are thousands of chemicals
used in the manufacture of carpeting. Many of them stop offgassing
after a few days or a few months. Other *dangerous* chemicals often
continue to offgas for years (despite what some "industry experts" say).
While one can test for common chemicals that come off of carpeting,
it is impossible to know what chemicals might be coming off the
carpet that can cause health problems over time. They may be chemicals
used in the manufacture of the carpeting, or they may be chemicals that
are formed through chemical reaction.
Testing for chemical emissions are probably not that helpful in
the sense of showing lack of toxicity. So what if one does not find
formaldehyde or toluene! There can be an endless number of chemicals
that can cause problems. Testing for chemical emission may help
provide clues as to what is causing a health problem caused by toxic
carpeting -- if one can guess correctly as to what chemicals to test
for.
Terminology
1. "Non-toxic" or "low-toxicity" carpeting refers to the carpeting
mentioned in the resources section of Part One of Cindy Duehring's
article.
2. "Toxic Carpeting" refers to the carpet sold in most carpeting
stores. Please get this terminology correct -- it's "toxic
carpeting," not "carpeting." Of course, the toxicity varies
between carpet rolls, but how is one to know how toxic the carpeting
is? The ASTM E981 test can help, but only in the case of short-term,
neurological and respiratory problems caused by carpeting.
Things To Be Expected From the Carpet Industry (e.g., Monsanto, CRI, etc.)
1. They will probably flood the scientific community with flawed
studies "proving" the safety of carpeting. Some of these companies
have down similar things with other toxic products. (See the
Aspartame Review at: http://www.holisticmed.com/aspartame/
for a good example of the abuse of science in the name of protecting
a toxic product.)
They may fund studies which are flawed or their researcher may
obtain public funding for flawed studies. Remember, it has already
been proven that animals can suffer from severe neurological and
respiratory problems from exposure to carpeting. In addition,
these tests do not even begin to address the dangers of long-term
exposure to these toxic chemicals.
Anytime you read in the news that "such and such" university or
team of "researchers" has proven that toxic carpeting or "new" toxic
carpeting or "new, low-emission" toxic carpeting (or whatever their
PR department decides to call it) does not cause health problems, it
is probably a typical, flawed industry study. Contact E.A.R.N.
or Citizens for Safe Carpet or Anderson Laboratories for an *honest*
evaluation of this new research.
2. They will probably come out with new "non-toxic", or
"low-emission" products. In all liklihood, this will probably be
more of a creation of their PR departments than a quality product.
The real low-toxicity products were listed in Part One of the article
by Cindy Duehring. Reducing the number of chemicals used in the
carpeting industry from 1,000s to 100s or even to just a few is a
possible improvement, but it is also very possible that these carpets
are still quite toxic.
Don't be conned by their marketing terms. Look into *real*
non-toxic carpeting or flooring (using low-toxicity glues or tacking
down the carpet). If Monsanto actually comes out with completely
non-toxic carpeting, I'll be happy to congradulate them and
recommend their product for those who have to have carpeting.
Until then, see the resources in Part One of Cindy Duehring's article
for non-toxic solutions.
3. They may send out inaccurate information to the retailers. I
strongly recommend not putting any faith in information provided by
the retailers as it comes directed from the manufacturers of these
toxic products or from the CRI. If you want to read a fairy
tale, go to a good children's book store. Now the retailer may very
well think that they are getting accurate information from the
manufacturer, so they are not necessarily to blame.
4. The industry may agree to a large warning label on the toxic
carpet. Even if the label contains a strong warning, detailed
recommendations, a list of doctors (worldwide) who are experienced in
dealing with the effects of toxic carpeting, and the Encyclopedia
Britanica, you are still left with *toxic carpeting*. Of course,
a decent information label is useful, but the label *will not*
protect you or your family unless it covers the whole carpet and
doubles as a heavy-duty air filter.
Therefore, if you hear news about the "great new carpet label,"
please realize that it's still a toxic carpet with a "great new
carpet label."
5. The industry may try to discredit certain individuals in order to
get the public to ignore the serious warning that they are
presenting. Their memorandum and the vicous attacks on Dr.
Anderson's credibility are examples of this. Even if they do
discredit an individual's reputation, the message is still valid and
the health problems caused by toxic carpeting are still occuring.
6. The industry will probably continue to enhance their apparent close
ties to the EPA policymakers and the Consumer Product Safety
Commission (CPSC). Therefore, anytime you see the industry
quoting the EPA or CPSC, it is probably extremely biased information
*if* it is accurate at all.
7. My experience tracking how industry helps protect their toxic
products is by giving money to the campaigns of key senators and
representatives. In this way, hearings can be blocked, bills can
get stalled in Committees or gutted so that they are meaningless.
This is what happens when extremely powerful lobbying groups
decide they want something. Money comes before public health in some
cases unless the public puts alot of pressure on their Congressional
Representatives.
To understand how PR techniques are sometimes used to by Monsanto,
Dupont and others to con the general public, please purchase and read
the excellent new book:
Toxic Sludge is Good For You! (Lies, Damn Lies and the
Public Relations Industry
by John Stauber and Sheldon Rampton
Common Courage Press, Monroe, Maine (USA), c1995
ISBN 1-56751-061-2 or ISBN 1-56751-060-4 (pbk.)
This book will help you understand what tricks to expect from
Monsanto, Dupont, and others as scientists and the general
population recognizes the dangers from exposure to toxic carpeting.
Things To Be Expected From the EPA and the CPSC
1. In my opinion, as public pressure mounts, they will try to create
the appearance of protecting the public, but still do what they can
to protect industry. I would strongly recommend that you take any
statement from these organizations on the carpeting issue as if it
came from the carpeting industry even if it appears they are
comprimising. Please contact the reputable organizations mentioned
earlier for an honest review of any new information.
Things You Can Do
1. If your employer or children's school or daycare are planning on
getting a toxic carpet, be very firm with them that you insist upon
*NO* toxic carpeting. Give a copy of the articles to all of the
employees or parents so that everyone is aware of the dangers.
2. While toxic carpeting may be one of the biggest sources of indoor
air pollution, there are other sources. Please become aware of
products that are toxic even in small amounts and those products
developed by *consciencious* manufacturers which are *non-toxic*.
What follows is a list of books that can be very helpful.
"The Healthy Home: An Attic-To_Basement Guide to Toxin-Free Living"
by Linda Mason Hunter
Pocket Books, c1989
ISBN 0-671-70819-8
Very good reference to have on hand for avoiding toxic substances
in the home. Contains a resources chapter for nontoxic products.
"The Nontoxic Home"
by Debra Lynn Dadd
Jeremey P. Tarcher, Inc., c1986
ISBN 0-87477-401-2
A classic book by Debra Lynn Dadd on how to avoid toxic chemicals
in the home.
"The Nontoxic Home & Office"
by Debra Lynn Dadd
Jeremey P. Tarcher, Inc., c1992
ISBN 0-87477-676-7
A classic book by Debra Lynn Dadd on how to avoid toxic chemicals
in both the home and the office. Very helpful for persons trying
to avoid "sick building syndrome" at the office.
"Nontoxic, Natural, & Earthwise"
by Debra Lynn Dadd
Jeremey P. Tarcher, Inc., c1990
ISBN 0-87477-584-1
This book does not contain as much discussion as her other books,
but does contain an enormous list of resources for nontoxic
products. I highly recommend all of her books, especially this one.
"Clean & Green"
by Annie Berthold-Bond
Ceres Press, Woodstock, NY, c1990
ISBN 0-9606138-3-8
One of the best books available for nontoxic and environmentally
safe housekeeping products. The resources section of this book
is outstanding. It contains the following sections:
- Manufacturers and Distributors
- Mail Order Suppliers
- Organizations Geared Toward the Development of Healthy, Practical
and Earth-Safe Practices in the Home
- Consultations on Environmentally Safe Cleaning For Industry,
Business and the Home
- Scientific Testing Devices
- Consultations for Nontoxic and Environmentally Safe Building
- Pesticide Alternative Resources
- Pet Care Resources
- Clean Water Organizations
- Alternative to Chemicals Brought Into the House
- Information on Chemicals in Our Foods
- Information on Recycling
- Education, Seminars, and Correspondence Course on the
Construction of Healthy Homes and Workspaces
Final Note
I find it reprehensible that the carpet companies such as Monsanto,
the Carpet and Rug Instute (CRI), the U.S. Environmental "Protection"
Agency (EPA) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) would
all be so immoral and heartless that they would continue to let so
many people suffer serious damage to their health (including
children) simply so the industry can make more money and avoid
lawsuits. These groups are abusing the scientific processes and they
are abusing the population.
I sincerely hope people will, unlike the organizations mentioned
above, look out for each other by passing this information along
to people who are interested in flooring.
Best regards,
Mark
mgold@holisticmed.com
http://www.holisticmed.com/
