Did you know? Many myths related to carpet were created as a result of preliminary findings that were never validated or proven. In fact, many were disproved shortly after news release, but the media rarely returns to an issue to correct misperceptions created as a result of reporting preliminary findings. There have been numerous public health scares, over the years, for other products as well and many were determined to be false.
CARPET MYTHS
Numerous myths have developed over the past 50 years related to ordinary consumer products. The Alar scare with apples, the saccharine and NutriSweet scares with sweeteners, the phalate scare with children’s toys, the toilet seat scare with syphilis, the red M&M (candy) scare, and so on. Generally, these groundless myths become fact as a result of a news story. The more sensational the story and the more individual lives it touches, the better the news coverage. Many of these myths originate from one scientific study that is never replicated, but become unsubstantiated fact simply because it has been reported as news.
Carpet has had several of these occurrences over the past 30 years and without exception, each news story was eventually found to be false. Numerous court cases have been thrown out based on these myths, yet the news media fails to follow up to correct misperceptions once they have been created.
In preparing to shop for carpet, you will be confronted with many of these myths by physicians, friends, family, teachers, and other professionals. Many of the myths related to
chemical emissions,
allergies,
Kawasaki Syndrome,
dust mites, and
mold and mildew have been addressed in this section, but you may run across other sensational stories. Keep in mind the source, and place little stock in stories that can’t be confirmed, even if the information comes from your physician. Physicians can be blinded by myths like others.
Myth - Carpet contains
formaldehyde
Fact - Formaldehyde was first
identified as a possible carcinogen in 1973. The carpet industry
immediately went to work in removing all possible sources in which formaldehyde
could be introduced into carpet components. The carpet industry was the
first industry to proactively establish chemical emissions standards for their
product and every carpet is now tested for formaldehyde emissions. More than 10
years later other industries are now being forced to adopt emission standards,
similar to the voluntary testing program that the carpet industry initiated in
1992.
Myth - Carpet is a source for allergic reactions
Fact - While carpet may trap
allergens within its pile, the electrostatic properties of carpet tends to hold
these allergens, thus limiting airborne release. Other flooring materials
allow allergen to become airborne with every footstep. The best bet for
limiting allergic reactions is to clean carpet regularly. Carpet cleaning
has been proven highly effective in removing allergen from within the carpet
pile.
Myth - Dust Mite Allergen in carpet causes
allergic reactions
Fact - Numerous studies have
examined airborne release of dust mite allergen from carpet. Since
dust mite allergen
is extremely heavy and very difficult to lift from the carpet pile to become
airborne, few allergic reactions would be anticipated from allergen within
carpet pile. Without inhalation it is very difficult to stimulate
histamine production (allergic reactions). Our pillows probably exhibit
far more allergic reactions from dust mite allergen, since the allergen must be
inhaled directly from a contaminated surface.
Myth - Latex used in carpet causes allergic
reactions
Fact - Latex allergy is caused by
natural proteins found only in natural latex. Carpet does not use natural
latex. Carpet uses a synthetic SBR latex, which does not contain natural
proteins that produce allergic reactions in latex sensitive individuals.
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but become unsubstantiated fact simply because it has been reported as news.
