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adverse reproductive effects were found in animals exposed to Fire-retarding measures can also prove to be toxic. In a UK benzene, and effects were seen at less than one part per million.'* study in 2000, a brominated flame-retardant chemical (BDE-209) Other chemicals found in carpet include bis(2- was found in carpet in "significant levels". The Healthy Flooring ethylhexyl)phthalate, caprolactum, diethylene glycol, p- Network acknowledges that safety should not be compromised, Dichlorobenzene, hexane and vinylcyclohexene.’* Bis(2- and states that other, less-toxic choices are available. These ethylhexyl)phthalate, diethylene glycol and vinylcyclohexene are _ include "redesign and/or reformulation of materials to achieve suspected carcinogens, and p-Dichlorobenzene is a known _ lower flammability".” carcinogen which can produce minor irritations as well as cirrhosis of the liver. Caprolactum and hexane have caused foetal © MULTIPLE CHEMICAL SENSITIVITY CONCERNS abnormalities in animals, and hexane can induce nausea and Some people are more sensitive than others may be to toxins. various other mild symptoms. In humans it has brought about Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is a relatively new term hallucinations, structural changes in nerves, motor neuropathy and _applied to people suffering reactions similar to many listed above respiratory irritation."” when exposed to small amounts of chemicals. The condition has In 1988, more than 500 complaints were made to the US also been named "toxicant-induced loss of tolerance" (TILT).*! Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) regarding health Some doctors consider the condition psychological, noting that problems related to carpet (see the website http://www.cpsc.gov/ 65% of patients with MCS have at some stage suffered from cpscpub/pubs/454.htm). The CPSC then commissioned a study, depression. Others argue to the contrary, that MCS may cause in which 31 chemicals were identified as being released from depression. In any event, the US EPA advises doctors that "com- carpets. Even though some chemicals were found in very small plaints should not be dismissed as psychogenic, and a thorough amounts and not thought to be dangerous, the Commission workup is essential". admitted the combination could create a potent cocktail. The MCS is caused by exposure to chemicals known as "initiators". effects of long-term exposure to the These include pesticides, solvents, car- substances were not measured.'* pets, glues and formaldehyde. Symptoms such as respiratory illness, TOXINS IN CARPET BACKINGS MCS is caused by exposure central nervous system problems AND ADHESIVES . (memory loss, concentration problems, It is important to note that carpet is to chemicals known as irritability, insomnia, depression, etc.), not the only piece of the toxic puzzle. "initiators". These include gut, muscle and joint pain and Some of the abovementioned chemi- 09 headaches can be triggered by low- cals are contained in backings and pesticides, solvents, carpets, level exposure to chemicals such as air adhesives, thus also contributing to the glues and formaldehyde. fresheners, newly painted rooms, noxious emissions. cleaning substances, solvents, tobacco One chemical, 4-PC, used in the smoke, etc.* All initiators listed are latex backing on 95% of carpets in the related to carpet, directly or by treat- US" and also used to glue backing to ment or installation. Triggers may also carpet, is the chemical that gives off that new carpet smell. It has be related to carpet acting as a sink. been associated with producing eye, nose, throat, upper respirato- Cindy Duehring, an American woman, suffered from MCS ry and other problems when people are exposed to new carpet- after being poisoned by pesticides in 1985. She consequently ing.” It has also been named as a suspect in the US EPA's infa- became an activist and set up the Environmental Access Research mous "sick building" incident of 1988; the symptoms of ill staff | Network (EARN), which merged with the Chemical Injury resolved when the carpet was replaced.”' Not surprisingly, indus- Information Network (CIIN) in 1994. A new division, the MCS try studies have found no toxic effects of 4-PC,” but it "continues Research Fund, was set up to study multiple chemical sensitivity. to be emitted at measurable levels for a longer time" than other The fund was renamed the Cindy Duehring MCS Research Fund chemicals associated with carpet,” so long-term effects may be of after Cindy died in 1999 from complications related to her initial concern. poisoning. Ethulthan tole nd it Fire-retarding measures can also prove to be toxic. In a UK study in 2000, a brominated flame-retardant chemical (BDE-209) was found in carpet in "significant levels". The Healthy Flooring Network acknowledges that safety should not be compromised, and states that other, less-toxic choices are available. These include "redesign and/or reformulation of materials to achieve 30 lower flammability" MCS is caused by exposure to chemicals known as pesticides, solvents, carpets, glues and formaldehyde. concern. Ethylbenzene is found in carpet glue and it produces a long list of negative health effects on humans and animals.” Adhesives and sealants initially offgas more than carpet does in the first few weeks. Commercial installation of carpet is of partic- ular concern as glue is spread across the floor, whereas residential application requires much less adhesive and often uses stapling around the perimeter of a room.” Seam sealant has also been named as toxic. The chemical 1,1,1-trichloroethane was a common ingredient used in the US until government regulations stipulated that it be phased out by 1996.%° However, the hazardous toluene may still be found in some sealants. The US EPA lists moth repellents as containing volatile organic compounds.” Used commonly on woollen carpets, mothproofing is considered a "necessary evil".* Mothproofing chemi con- tain naphthalene, which is "cumulatively toxic and emits vapour that can produce toxic reaction in sensitive individuals". Naphthalene is most dangerous to newborns.” INDUSTRY AND UNIVERSITY DENIALS In the early 1990s, Cindy undertook extensive research into car- pet and its health effects. One incident she reported involved the Mclver family's experience with carpet and the carpet industry. The son, Christopher, suddenly began having convulsions on their new carpet. The parents, Jocelyn and Kevin, both lawyers, requested information from the manufacturers regarding any neg- ative reactions associated with new carpet. They were advised in a letter from Monsanto that "We have not heard of any reactions similar to what you describe".* It was later discovered that Monsanto had people on the board of the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI), and the Institute was well aware of over 1,000 complaints reported by workers in the "sick building" incident at EPA headquarters. The Consumer Product Safety Commission had also stated in 1990, a year before the Mclvers bought their carpet, that it would furnish the carpet industry with reports from 206 households regarding respiratory 40 ¢ NEXUS "initiators". These include www.nexusmagazine.com OCTOBER — NOVEMBER 2002