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and central nervous system problems related to carpet. Eventually © IMPACT ON CARPET INSTALLERS' HEALTH the Mclvers had their carpet removed, and Christopher's tremors Anecdotal evidence also points to medical problems related to completed ceased. Unfortunately, Christopher suffered a dam- carpet installation. A high incidence of lung cancer has been aged immune system, consistent with chemical exposure. He also _ reported within the industry, in addition to typical reactions to exhibited nerve tissue damage.” chemicals. These reactions include neurological and respiratory Bill Hirzy, PhD, was a senior scientist at the US EPA and presi- symptoms such as dizziness, forgetfulness, tremors, memory loss, dent of EPA Union Local 2050 at the time. He commented of the _ pins and needles and recurring nosebleeds. One worker noted that EPA that even though the sick building incident had already the process of seaming creates potent fumes. Warnings are given occurred, an information brochure still stated that "Limited not to inhale these chemicals or burn them, but a hot seaming iron research to date has found no links between adverse health effects is required to melt materials together. and the levels of chemicals emitted by new carpet".” Carpet installers who have been tested have shown high levels Research published in 1995 by Cornell University dismissed of chemicals in their blood, resulting in nerve damage and cogni- reactions to new carpet as "psychogenic". Dubbed by the tive impairment. Studies have found that there is a higher University as the "the most comprehensive review on the health instance of leukaemia and testicular cancer in carpet workers than effects of any indoor product", it acknowledged only carpet _—_ in control groups. Other studies have found that carpet-layers are adhesives as affecting indoor air quality (IAQ) or causing sick _at risk of oral and pharyngeal cancer. Those exposed to solvents building syndrome (SBS). Cornell pointed out that "new, low- have been found to be at an increased risk of neuropsychiatric dis- emission adhesives...are now available, though they may be more orders. A Russian study found that during "animal experiments expensive". However, the University's objectivity may be simulating working conditions, the central nervous system is the questioned due to the fact that the Carpet and Rug Institute funded most sensitive". this research.* A presentation is available for viewing at the CRI website (http://www.carpet-rug.com/ HAZARDS OF OLDER CARPET studies.cfm), where this fact is not Unfortunately, just because a carpet made obvious. Some slides could be is no longer new, this does not mean it mistaken for a CRI promotional is healthy! Older carpets can be worse presentation. Older carpets can be worse than new ones, because they act as a sink for dirt and chemicals. TEST RESULTS SWEPT UNDER than new ones, because THE RUG they act as a sink for dirt Dust, Dust Mites and Damp In the early 1990s, Anderson Laboratories undertook carpet testing Older carpets and worn carpets are a great repository for deep dust.” and chemicals. for people with health complaints by Environmental engineer John Roberts employing the American Society for commented that "If truckloads of dust Testing and Materials (ASTM) E981 with the same concentration of toxic procedure, widely used since the chemice is found in most carpets 1960s.” were deposited outside, these locations would be considered This involved blowing air from the carpet over mice and moni- hazardous waste dumps". toring their reactions. Symptoms were typical of human reactions Dust mites thrive in carpet; they survive on flakes of dead skin to chemicals, such as burning eyes and nose, difficulty breathing and leave excrement that is extremely allergenic.” A study com- and even tremors.” missioned by the Healthy Flooring Network and undertaken by Dr The Anderson Laboratories tests were dismissed by many as _Jill Warner, Senior Lecturer in Allergy and Immunology at the invalid. Hal Levin, an air quality expert, stated that the methodol- University of Southampton, England, found that carpets contained ogy was not scientifically valid.*! more dust mites than did bedding. It was also noted that carpets The US EPA replicated the results in Anderson Laboratories, "are actually the biggest reservoir for allergy-causing dust mite using its own new carpet sample and its own equipment. and pet allergens in the home".” However, when the EPA attempted to replicate the test in its own Another UK study in 2000 revealed that three out of eight laboratories, the results were not as conclusive.” carpet samples were shown to contain notable levels of Bill Hirzy stated that the EPA created its own protocol, chang- ermethrin, used to control dust mites. Earlier German research ing the humidity so toxins were absorbed by moisture in the air, discovered that "elevated levels of permethrin found in domestic making the air clean. omes were largely due to the presence of treated carpets". The Carpet and Rug Institute also asked Dr Yves Alarie (who Permethrin has been shown to have neurotoxic effects on developed the ASTM E981 test in the 1960s) from the University laboratory animals—but if it permeates carpet fibres, dust mites of Pittsburgh to replicate Anderson's tests. Dr Alarie testified continue to survive regardless of the chemical.*! before the Committee on Government Operations, Subcommittee Mould and mildew cannot be removed if a carpet has been wet on Environment, Energy and Natural Resources, US House of for more than a day or two. In this instance, the carpet and Representatives, on June 11, 1993 that "Her [Rosalind adding or underlay is rendered useless and must be replaced, as Anderson's] results are perfectly reproducible in my laboratory". cleaning will not dislodge the fungal growth.” The US EPA's He also stated that "This method, ASTM-E981, has been used all advice is to replace carpet if it has been damp for more than 48 over the world and I have never received a complaint from a user ours.** of it that the method itself produces neurotoxic nervous system effects". Asthma and Allergens The Anderson results on carpet emissions were published in the Asthma attacks can be triggered by dust mite allergens.* The Journal of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine in 1995.* Healthy Flooring Network reported that Dr Jill Warner's study Anecdotal evidence also points to medical problems related to carpet installation. A high incidence of lung cancer has been reported within the industry, in addition to typical reactions to chemicals. These reactions include neurological and respiratory symptoms such as dizziness, forgetfulness, tremors, memory loss, pins and needles and recurring nosebleeds. One worker noted that the process of seaming creates potent fumes. Warnings are given not to inhale these chemicals or burn them, but a hot seaming iron is required to melt materials together. Carpet installers who have been tested have shown high levels of chemicals in their blood, resulting in nerve damage and cogni- tive impairment. Studies have found that there is a higher instance of leukaemia and testicular cancer in carpet workers than in control groups. Other studies have found that carpet-layers are at risk of oral and pharyngeal cancer. Those exposed to solvents have been found to be at an increased risk of neuropsychiatric dis- orders. A Russian study found that during "animal experiments simulating working conditions, the central nervous system is the most sensitive". Older carpets can be worse than new ones, because they act as a sink for dirt and chemicals. Asthma and Allergens Asthma attacks can be triggered by dust mite allergens.* The Healthy Flooring Network reported that Dr Jill Warner's study NEXUS 41 IMPACT ON CARPET INSTALLERS' HEALTH OCTOBER — NOVEMBER 2002 www.nexusmagazine.com