Peace and Environment News* June 1995
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Peace and Environment News * June 1995 |
by Vince Catalli
Carpeting can be a key contributor to poor indoor air quality. The floor is the largest "sink" in an interior space, collecting dust, bacteria, stains and a variety of particulates. Carpets are a very effective sink for all of these, making it very difficult to keep them clean.
Over the past few years there has been an increasing focus on floor coverings and the problems they can pose for air quality. Many people are experiencing a lower threshold of sensitivity to chemical emissions due to increasing levels of toxins in air, diet, and building products.
The problems associated with conventional North American-style carpets are specific to today. Often carpet is valued by its weight (the higher the weight the better the product) and by special features such as chemical treatments for stain control.
Synthetic carpets tend to have high surface tension due to the spinning, twisting and attenuation used in processing yarn. Dirt tends to move quickly to the base of the fibre, where it remains unnoticed until the pile becomes saturated enough so that the surface of the carpet becomes stained. Carpets are so effective in concealing dirt that owners are lulled into a false sense of security, believing that carpets which do not appear soiled are in fact clean.
Very soiled carpets are extremely difficult to clean thoroughly because they cannot be effectively rinsed. The thicker the carpet, the longer it takes to dry, and drying time is a measure of hygiene. If it takes much longer than two hours to dry a carpet, water-borne bacteria and particulates will fall out of the solution and remain in the carpet.
For this reason, natural fibre carpets and very low mass high density synthetics are highly recommended. Carpets with a fabric-like texture are the best kind of synthetic carpeting. The horizontal layering of pile impedes the penetration of stains and particulates, leaving them on the surface of the carpet where they can be easily seen and removed.
Natural fibre carpets (i.e. wool and cotton) have low surface tension and are easy to clean. For wool carpeting, I recommend the use of low mass worsted or semi-worsted fibre. The worsting process removes the undifferentiated animal matter and offsets the "fly" associated with the shedding of wool.
Carpeting should not be overly processed. This is a matter of degree, and the consumer should ask about ratings on air quality tests or government-sponsored labelling programs such as Canada's Build Green program or Germany's GUT label.
Installation is also important. A sealed floor is crucial to ensure that the subfloor does not also act as a sink. We recommend non-solvent-based adhesive for gluing the carpet down, or a non-emitting underpadding. Vacuuming is key to effective removal of particulates. Vacuum bags are now available that prohibit the release of even the tiniest particulate.
During the past year controversies have raged about the relationship between carpeting and sick building syndrome. Three of the largest carpet makers in the U.S. have been hit with a class action suit which alleges that the manufacturers misled consumers into believing that their products were completely safe even for those with chemical sensitivities. Here in Canada, several years ago the then new CBC building in Toronto made the headlines because the carpets made the workers who installed them very ill.
The carpet industry has erred by not addressing the critical issue of maintenance in their endorsements. On the positive side, the bad press the industry has received has allowed specialized manufacturers to find a ready audience for their new products. Traditional producers likewise have been forced to consider how their products interact with their surroundings.
As a consumer, it is important to obtain proper information. You should read carpet specifications carefully and ask for an explanation of anything you do not understand. After all, you are paying for it.
Vince Catalli is an intern architect with by dEsign consultants in Ottawa. He can be reached at 230-5776.
Converted July 7, 2000 - Lg
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