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(HEPA) filters are the most efficient.” These can trap particles of 0.3 microns in size.'" A power head can collect three to six times more dust than a regular vacuum cleaner head can. Some vacuum cleaners also have a red light that changes to green when it is no longer picking up dust.'” This cleaning process can take as long as 45 minutes per square metre of old carpet, but the time is reduced substantially once this major task has been undertaken for the first time.’ As far as dust is concerned, no carpet is the only real solution. 0.3 microns in size.'" A power head can collect three to six times Dwellings with bare floors and a few rugs contain around a tenth — more dust than a regular vacuum cleaner head can. Some vacuum of the dust found in a house with wall-to-wall carpet.” The best cleaners also have a red light that changes to green when it is no option for MCS sufferers would seem to be plain ceramic tiles.” longer picking up dust.'” This cleaning process can take as long However, there are ways to reduce carpet-related chemical as 45 minutes per square metre of old carpet, but the time is exposure. The use of carpet glues and adhesives can be avoided _ reduced substantially once this major task has been undertaken for or reduced in some situations. Woven carpets necessitate much the first time.'* less adhesive backing because they are Steam cleaning can also be effective, more stable than tufted carpets. and if done professionally it can kill Another way of avoiding adhesives is fleas, dust mites and some bacteria’ to use mechanical fastening. A . . with minimal environmental impact. patented hook and loop system utilises Dwellings with bare floors Dr Dust has also found that high- fabric and hooks taped to the floor and and a few rugs contain quality doormats can "reduce the can be used on seams and room amount of lead in a typical carpet by a perimeters.” around a tenth of the dust factor of six" if feet are wiped twice Woollen carpet is often cited as a 1 1 before entering a dwelling. Takin, P ound In a house wit g g g suitable floor covering, as it is natural- shoes off is also very effective in keep- ly flame resistant and very durable. wall-to-wall carpet. ing pesticides and lead out of carpet. According to wool industry—funded research, VOCs such as formaldehyde and nitrogen oxide that become trapped in fibres will not be released CONCLUSION: TREADING CAREFULLY FOR OUR HEALTH Chemicals contained in new carpet, in woollen carpets, as they chemically bond to the fibres. particularly if it is synthetic, are toxic and can be of concern to However, this claim has not been verified.* many people, particularly those with multiple chemical sensitivity. The carpet industry insists this type of floor covering is a clean CARPET MAINTENANCE option, but studies have shown otherwise. VOCs are emitted from New Scientist reported that according to Dr Dust (John _ both new and old carpet, with old carpet acting as a sink for dust Roberts), excessive vacuum cleaning is necessary to remove the —_ containing contaminants such as lead. build-up of toxic dust in carpet. He suggests vacuuming carpet Carpet is not a good option for asthma and allergy sufferers, near the house entrance 25 times per week, high traffic areas 16 —_ and installers have reported ill health related to their trade. times and the remaining carpet eight times. Apparently this will Studies have shown old carpet can also have immediate negative remove a good deal of the deep dust, after which time half of the — effects on health and productivity. Keeping carpet clean to initial vacuuming will be necessary each week to keep the amount —_ acceptable levels for good health creates a substantial workload, of dust to a minimum.” and carpet is not very environmentally friendly. Vacuuming can cause trapped dust to become airborne, so it is The long-term health effects of carpet are not clear, but what is essential to use a good-quality vacuum cleaner to remove it effec- clear is that there are major concerns related to having a carpeted tively. Vacuum cleaners with high efficiency particulate air home, school or place of business. oo Dwellings with bare floors and a few rugs contain around a tenth of the dust found in a house with wall-to-wall carpet. CARPET MAINTENANCE New Scientist reported that according to Dr Dust (John Roberts), excessive vacuum cleaning is necessary to remove the build-up of toxic dust in carpet. He suggests vacuuming carpet near the house entrance 25 times per week, high traffic areas 16 times and the remaining carpet eight times. Apparently this will remove a good deal of the deep dust, after which time half of the initial vacuuming will be necessary each week to keep the amount of dust to a minimum.” Vacuuming can cause trapped dust to become airborne, so it is essential to use a good-quality vacuum cleaner to remove it effec- tively. Vacuum cleaners with high efficiency particulate air 65. BuildingGreen.com, op. cit. http://www.tec.nccnsw.org.au/member/tec/ 92. BuildingGreen.com, op. cit. 66. US EPA, Indoor Air Pollution, op. cit. projects/tcye/faq/Household/faq_140.html, last 93. ibid. 67. US EPA, Indoor Air — Formaldehyde, op. cit. modified March 27, 1998. 94. US Environmental Protection Agency, 68. BuildingGreen.com, op. cit. 78. Renner, op. cit. Product Stewardship, Carpet, 69. US EPA, Organic Gases, op. cit. 79. ibid. http://www.epa.gov/epr/products/carpet.html, last 70. Renner, op. cit. 80. Ott and Roberts, Everyday Exposure..., op. updated June 19, 2002. 71. True Health, Supreme Health, Carpet Health cit. 95. Airbrains.org, op. cit. Hazard, 1998-2002, 81. US EPA, Indoor Air Pollution, op. cit. 96. Environmental News Network, Piling It On, http://www.truehealth.org/ahealt04.html. 82. Environmental News Network, Close to Op. cit. 72. Airbrains.org, op.cit. Home: The 10 Most Dangerous Toxins in Your 97. BuildingGreen.com, op. cit. 73. Vermont Department of Health, An Air House, by Claude Morgan, January 14, 1999, 98. ibid. Quality Fact Sheet on Carpet, http://www.enn.com/features/1999/01/011499/ 99. Renner, op. cit. http://www.state.vt.us/health/_hp/airquality/ toxins_1139.asp. 100. Vermont Department of Health, op. cit. carpet/carpet.htm. 83. US EPA, Indoor Air Pollution, op. cit. 101. BuildingGreen.com, op. cit. 74, Total Environment Centre, Sydney, 84. Roberts, Protection, op. cit. 102. Renner, op. cit. Australia, Frequently Asked Questions, Ineedto 85. Renner, op. cit. 103. Roberts, Protection, op. cit. clean my carpet — what would you recommend?, —_86. Roberts, op. cit. 104. Washington Toxics Coalition, Carpeting http://www.tec.nccnsw.org.au/member/tec/ 87. Duehring, Part 2, op. cit. and Children's Health, op. cit. projects/tcye/faq/Household/faq_101.html, last 88. US EPA, Indoor Environments Division, 105. Ott and Roberts, op. cit. modified March 27, 1998. Office of Radiation and Indoor Air, Indoor Air 75. Vermont Department of Health, op. cit. Quality and Student Performance, August 2000, About the Author: 76. Citizens for a Safe Learning Environment, http://www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/performance. Jenny Hawke has a BA in Communication Carpets in\Schools? op cits hil: . and is on staff at the NEXUS head office in 77. Total Environment Centre, Frequently 89. Renner, op. cit. Australia. She is now relieved to live ina Asked Questions, I am becoming increasingly 90. Roberts, op. cit. intolerant..., 91. Pesticides News, op. cit. house without carpet. 44 « NEXUS ALTERNATIVES AND SOLUTIONS www.nexusmagazine.com OCTOBER — NOVEMBER 2002