Indoor air pollution is rated as one of the top 5 environmental risks to public health by the EPA
This statistic may come as a shock to many people.
When we think about pollution we’re more likely to think about industrial environments
Then our homes. However, indoor air quality is generally between 2 and 5 times worse
Than the outdoor air in the surrounding area. There are many reasons for why this is so.

Mold, dust, household cleaners, and chemicals in air fresheners can all contribute to indoor air pollution.
However, one of the biggest culprits can be your carpet.

How Does This happen?

The biggest way in which carpets can contribute to indoor air pollution is if they are not cleaned often enough.
Due to gravity, small particles of mold, dander, dust, pollen, and cleaning chemicals fall to the floor
And become embedded deep within the carpet. This can actually be helpful as far as air quality is concerned.

High quality carpets will trap dust, allergens, and toxins that contribute to poor air quality.
This means that rooms that contain high quality carpets actually have better air quality
Than those with hard floor. This way, high quality carpets can act as a kind of air filter for your home.

However...

To get the full benefits of good carpeting it is imperative that they be cleaned
And vacuumed regularly so that the problematic particles caught in the carpet can be
Removed from the environment entirely. To dramatically reduce this effect,
Have your carpets cleaned several times a year.

Who Is The Most Affected By Indoor Air Pollution?

The air inside your home is dirtier than the air outside, so the truth is that everyone is affected.
However children, the elderly, women are the most susceptible to indoor air pollutants.
The main symptoms to watch for are constant eye, nose, and throat irritation,
Frequent headaches and nausea. One of the best ways to take care of your family’s health
Is to look for high quality carpeting and keep it clean.

When you are looking at new carpet, you want to make sure that it is thick,
Made from high quality fibers, and has a low VOC emissions rating.

What You Can Do About It

The best ways to make sure that your carpets are good for your health
Are to have them cleaned regularly, and to check the VOC emission levels
For the carpet brands you have in your home.

VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, are chemicals that are sometimes used
For treating new carpets to reduce particle collection. Aside from being toxic,
VOCs can prevent the air filtering attributes of good carpet.
Although VOCs are unregulated outside of an industrial environment,
Most companies are up front about the emission levels of their carpets.
Many companies have been focusing on producing carpets that are low-emission and good for your health,
Which means that newer carpets are a lot better for you than they used to be.

When dealing with carpets and your family's health, it is important to make sure
That you are getting the very best quality.
No matter what carpet you have, or choose to purchase, quality and cleanliness are key.
Give us a call at (916) 312-7000 and let us explain in more detail
What your options are and a path that works for you.