Carpets, Carpet cleaning, Asthma and Allergies?

Carpets, Carpet cleaning, Asthma and Allergies?

A lot has been written over the years on whether or not carpets adversely affect asthma and allergy sufferers.  Traditionally people have assumed that the dense weave of carpets harbour many of the small particles and contaminates that cause asthma and other allergies.   If a carpet is extremely dirty and remains so for an extended period of time then this is undoubtedly true.  However, recent research has suggested that when carpets are properly cared for there is no measurable increase in allergens over a room that has no carpet at all.

In an extensive 2008 study Dr Mitchell W. Sauerhoff PhD DABT found compelling evidence to support the fact that well maintained carpets are safe indeed he suggested that:

In conclusion, a weight of evidence approach to evaluating existing medical and scientific studies is quite clear. Carpet does not cause asthma. VOC emissions from new carpet do not act as triggers for asthma or allergies. Carpet does not increase the incidence or severity of asthma or allergies in children and adults. From the standpoint of asthma and allergies, well maintained carpet is safe.

The rest of the report can be found here:

http://www.flooringsciences.org/e-journal/08/0805_Sauerhof_carpet_asthma_allergies.pdf

For a carpet to properly be maintained it should be regularly vacuumed to stop the accumulation of dirt and debris which will lead to increasing levels of allergens.  Likewise regular deep cleaning of carpets will ensure that the deeper fibres within the carpet do not harbour potentially dangerous contaminants.  However, even when carpets have been professionally cleaned contaminants can remain or even be added if the cleaner has not specifically taken into account the threat of allergens.

Certain chemicals which are used by professional carpet cleaners can leave behind a residue that is both a skin and respiratory irritant.  Cleaning chemicals which are based on D-limonene, a chemical derived from orange peel, can have this irritant affect.  Although they come from a natural source they are sometimes harder to completely remove from carpets and therefore a lazy operator can often leave a residue which will adversely affect many allergy and asthma sufferers.

The actual method used by Carpet cleaners can also impact upon the air quality of your home.  Though many people do not realise there are a number of different ways to professionally clean a carpet ranging from high heat systems to low moisture systems.  High heat is the best if you are allergy conscious as it will kill the dust mites that are one of the major causes for a variety of allergens including asthma.

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