Indoor Air Quality Information
The Canadian Carpet Institute and the Carpet and Rug Institute of the USA have joined hands to bring the public important information regarding the impact of carpet on indoor air quality.
North Americans spend 90 percent of their time at home or at work, often in energy-efficient buildings with low fresh-air ventilation. Add to that the introduction of new building products and furnishings, and you have the potential for a buildup of indoor air pollution.
Questions have been raised about pollution from many interior products, including new carpet. It is true that new carpet can give off low levels of chemicals, but these are extremely small when compared to other products used indoors.
The CCI is making available in Canada an industry-wide program designed to help consumers further improve indoor air quality. This program will help ensure that the carpet you purchase has met specified testing requirements for indoor air quality. The goal for the program is to help consumers make informed buying decisions about carpet.
The program was developed in the United States by The Carpet and Rug Institute, the association of the carpet manufacturing industry. In the process CRI consulted with a panel comprising representatives of government agencies and consumer-oriented groups. The panel continues to work with CRI in order to keep the program in step with new developments.
After consultation with Consumer and Corporate Affairs Canada, the Canadian Carpet Institute determined that the CRI program could be adapted to meet the needs of Canadian consumers. It is referred to as the “CCI/CRI Indoor Air Quality Program” because it applies to both Canadian-made and to carpet produced in the United States.
You will probably have some questions about indoor air quality and the industry’s new program when you see the indoor air quality testing program label on carpet. Please take a moment to review the questions and answers supplied. If you would like more information, you may call 1-800-882-8846.
Q: Why is the carpet industry conducting this IAQ program?
A: All of us spend a lot of time indoors. So, the quality of the air inside becomes very inportant to us at home and at work. Every type of carpet has chemicals. By testing carpet, we are asking carpet manufacturers to continuously improve their products and reduce the chemicals that go into the air. We want you to know about new carpet odours and carpet chemicals so that you will understand why it is important to buy carpet that has the CCI/CRI–IAQ label. This label tells you that the carpet manufacturer is committed to make carpet that contributes to a better indoor invironment.
Q: What does the CCI/CRI–IAQ label mean?
A: The label, when displayed on the back of a carpet sample means that the carpet of that type has been tested and has passed the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Carpet Testing Program requirements of the Canadian Carpet Institute and the US Carpet and Rug Institute.
Q: What are the IAQ Program requirements?
A: The program requires carpet to be tested for volatile chemicals which could be released into the air. The total chemicals given off must be less than 0.6 milligrams per square meter per hour. This is extremely low compared to some other products used inside your home or office.
Q: What happens when carpet does not pass the program requirements?
A: If a particular carpet product type does not pass the program requirements, the manufacturer cannot use the label. Once manufacturers have modified their carpet, they may have it tested again. Only when the carpet passes the requirements can the manufacturer use the label on carpet samples of the same product type.
Q: What is a carpet product type?
A: A product type can have many styles and colours, but it must have the same basic fibre type, chemical content, dye process and backing type.
Q: How often is carpet tested?
A: A sample from every carpet type will be collected from each participating manufacturer at least once per year. These will be tested by a laboratory outside the industry with equipment for measuring product emissions under controlled conditions. Sample collection and testing are done according to a method recognized by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM: D5116-90). If an approved carpet fails the test the following year, the manufacturer will be asked to make changes. If it passes the next series of tests then that product will be tested more frequently in future.
Q: How much pollution is caused by new carpet?
A: Chemicals emanating from carpets are much less than chemicals emanating from other products used inside such as paints, paint strippers, varnishes, wood finishes, waxes, caulking, adhesives, etc.
Q: Is the carpet bad if I can smell it?
A: Not necessarily. New carpet (like a new car) can have an odour. A chemical called 4-phenylcyclohexene (4-PC) that comes from some new carpet may have an odour for a short period of time after installation. The 4-PC comes from the latex backing used to hold the carpet fibres together. Most of the odour is gone in approximately one week, sometimes in days.
Q: What can I do to help the carpet chemicals in the air to go away?
A: Ventilation is very important. Open windows and doors to let in fresh air. Turn on the fan of your heating / air conditioning system. Continue this process for at least 48–72 hours after the carpet has been installed. Be sure to ask your dealer or carpet installer to follow the carpet installation guidelines. Also follow the IAQ INSTALLATION guidelines and the IAQ MAINTENANCE guidelines.
Q: Could carpet affect my health?
A: While most of the millions of people who have bought carpets have no problems, there is a small number who have reported adverse health effects that they say are due to the off-gassing from carpets. Research is presently being conducted to identify and characterize the off-gassing components of carpets and their effects on human health. We feel it is important to study carpet on a continuing basis and the CCI/CRI–IAQ program helps us learn more about carpet and how it affects the air we breathe. The more we learn, the more we can help our customers. This program cannot guarantee good health because each individual responds differently. However, the Canadian carpet industry continues to work diligently to improve our product with customer concerns foremost in our minds.
Indoor Air Quality – Important Installation Guidelines:
- Vacuum your old carpet before removal to minimize the amount of dust particles.
- Ventilate during removal.
- Vacuum the floor immediately after the old carpet and cushion have been removed.
- During installation, open windows and doors, if possible, for an adequate supply of fresh air. Consider using window fans, room air conditioning units, or other means to exhaust chemicals to the outdoors.
- Continue operating your ventilation system at normal room temperature for 48–72 hours after installation. If possible, leave doors and windows open to increase the flow of fresh air.
- If your carpet is to be glued to the floor, you may wish to ask for a low chemical release floor covering adhesive.
- Have a professional install your carpet.
If You Consider Yourself to be Unusually Sensitive:
- You may wish to avoid the area or leave the premises while the carpet is being removed or installed.
- You may wish to make arrangements with your VIFCA member dealer to allow the new carpet to “rest” unrolled in a well-ventilated area for a day or so before installation. If this is possible, there may be a charge.
Indoor Air Quality – Important Maintenance Guidelines:
- Clean spills promptly and thoroughly.
- Vacuum at least twice weekly, concentrating on “high traffic” areas.
- Use a vacuum cleaner with revolving brushes or beater-bars and strong suction for the best overall cleaning.
- Keep the vacuum cleaner in good condition. Change the disposable bag regularly, and check for worn belts.
- Place doormats at the entrance of your home. (Four-step mats are best). This will help prevent “tracked-in” dirt from accumulating in the carpet.
- Professionally clean your carpet at least once every 12 to 18 months. Be sure to ventilate the area with fresh air during and at least 24 hours after this process.
Remember: Common sense and fresh air ventilation are very important!
