Why are there so many carcinogenic and neurotoxic volatile compounds in carpet? why use carpet at all?

Question

It often amazes me how many people want carpeting in their dwelling area, you often see "new carpeting" advertised as if this is a desirable quality to have in your indoor space. First of all there is the carpet, a slew of toxic materials(xylene, toluene), plastics, fire-retardants, dyes, pesticides, etc...then you have this toxic mass applied to your floor with equally toxic volatile glue. Most of these compounds are highly volatile, i.e they turn to gas readily and hence once they are in an enclosed space you will inhale them for years post carpet application. Is it any wonder why people complain of fatigue, irritability, mood disorders, allergies when we have a substance that is so biologically toxic in our living environment? It is an indisputable fact that these chemicals cause deficits in health including cancer yet I guess having that carpet is more important then you and your families health. So the question is, why do people even WANT carpet at all in their dwellings?

Answer 1

no shite...hmmmm never knew that...thanks for the info dude..seriously...once I get out of my apt i will totally invest in hardwood floors. Hey what about the glue that use for hardwood flooring? I'm assuming that's toxic too.

Answer 2

Hey, guess what?? Everything's bad for you! Ever worked in a chem. lab? Ordinary chemicals you might take for granted as harmless are always labeled with some kind of warning in a lab environment, even if commonly they aren't hazardous...for example...Silica dust, now it's essentially sand, but it's a carcinogen...huh? If you inhale a lot, it apparently will cause cancer, so you don't huff silica dust and you're fine. Don't lick your carpet and you'll probably be okay. And I understand your point, but which people are you talking about...do you mean, Why do people have problems? If your answer is carpet, I would say educate yourself more on the effects of toluene/xylenes/dyes/pesticides used in the process of carpet making and not through the internet (unless it's the MSDS web site) or the news because the news isn't much better. Read a book or find a book on it, take the time to educate yourself before you post on yahoo! answers :)

Answer 3

Why do people ever do anything that's not good for them? Why do people get fat, smoke, have sex w/o condoms, drive w/o a seat belt, etc. etc. etc. In almost every single situation they know it's bad for them and they still do it. While your education approach is helpful (exposing people to the risks allows them to make smarter decisions), practically, people will gladly make the dumb choice in almost every situation they can. And then revel in it. And then complain to high heaven if you try to legislate away their ability to make dumb decisions (look at every state and locality that has passed or tried to pass anti-smoking-in-public laws). And of all the dumb things people do to themselves, having carpets is far from the most dangerous on the list.

And carpets are comfortable (try walking on tile floors in the winter, even with socks, especially in the northern part of this country). You want my biggest recommendation: go become a chemist. If you develop a process to create carpets that don't give off any chemicals you can patent it and become a billionaire. Consumers will obviously pay more for it, but given the fact that people want carpets for comfort, instead of complaining about it, give them a healthier choice.

Answer 4

100% wool carpet is natural, beautiful, and contains lanolin which repels every stain. It costs more but lasts way longer.

Answer 5

You must live in a cave.

Welcome to the world of synthetics.

Look around you--polyurethanes, acrylates, propylenes, styrenes......

Answer 6

Because it feels so good on those cold winter days.

Answer 7

it's cheap, soft and stain resistant. That's what the masses want.

Answer 8

we all must die. might as well keep warm while we wait. there's no point in inconveniencing ourselves right?