Carpet and IAQ Misconceptions

Often in cleaning, people connect asthma and indoor air quality (IAQ) with carpet. According to the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI), science does not support the claim. In fact, CRI research indicates just the opposite.

According to CRI reports, “researcher and toxicology expert Mitchell Sauerhoff, Ph.D., DABT, reviewed 23 U.S. and international scientific studies and concluded in Carpet, Asthma and Allergies — Myth or Reality that carpet's alleged negative characteristics are not consistent with current research. In fact, he concludes that the literature on carpet and asthma or allergies confirms that children and adults living with carpet do not have an increased incidence of asthma or allergy.”

These studies revealed that incorporating carpeting in classrooms has no adverse effect on student heath. They also found that in situations where carpet was used resulted in lower absenteeism and reduced the need of asthma medication.

Although carpet is not to blame for poor IAQ, inadequate carpet care can play a role. It is important to properly clean and maintain carpets in an effort to improve IAQ within a facility.