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People choose to cover their floors with carpet or rugs for many reasons: a rug by the door catches dirt and pollutants coming in from outdoors; carpet over a cement pad offers insulation against a cold floor; and a decorative area rug provides visual interest and comfort over a hardwood floor. Carpet and machine-made rugs consist of a face fiber and a backing that holds the fibers together and adds stability. An adhesive is used to hold the fibers to the backing. Handmade rugs can be woven, knotted or hand-tufted, and may be glued or sewn to a backing material. A separate pad or cushion is placed under carpet and some rugs during installation.

Compared to other flooring materials, such as hardwood floors, carpet has the shortest life expectancy at 11 years.[1] US carpet manufacturers supplied 45 percent of the world’s carpet—more than 2 billion square yards in 2005.[2] That is almost enough carpet to cover the entire state of Connecticut![3]

Retail sales of area rugs in 2003 totaled $4.3 billion.[4] Approximately 25 percent of the US market is handmade rugs with virtually all coming from other countries. The US manufactures 74 percent of machine-made rugs, with China increasingly taking more of that market share.[4] Although machine-made area rugs can last as long as carpet, in one survey, 50 percent of consumers said they buy scatter rugs every one to two years.[5]

Consumers have a variety of choices in face fiber and backing, with some having more environmental impact than others. Popular face fibers are nylon, polyester, olefin and acrylic. These synthetic fibers are used in more than 99 percent of carpets.[6] Handmade rugs tend to be made from natural fibers, such as wool and cotton. All synthetic fibers are made from petroleum, a non-renewable resource. Not only are these petrochemicals potentially hazardous to human health, but using them also contributes to ecological hazards, such as leaks and spills, related to oil exploration and refining.[7][8] Some of the most common substances include:

• Polypropylene (olefin): A thermoplastic polymer (plastic) used in food packaging, ropes, and many plastic parts. It is also a common carpet face and backing fiber.[9]
• Polyurethane: A polymer of a chain of organic units joined by urethane links. It is used in flexible and rigid foams, adhesives, and sealants and in the backing of carpets.[10] Polyurethane can contain many toxins, including VOCs, formaldehyde, and benzene (see below).[11]
• Polyvinyl chloride (PVC): A widely used polymer plastic made from fossil fuels (generally oil or natural gas) and chlorine. Its manufacturing produces several highly toxic chemicals, including dioxins, which are a known human carcinogen.[12]
• Benzene: An organic chemical compound that is carcinogenic. It is an important industrial solvent and precursor in the production of plastics and synthetic rubber and dyes, which are used in the manufacture of carpet. Ranked as one of the most hazardous compounds to ecosystems and human health.[13]

Carpet and rug dyes

Colored carpets and machine-made rugs are dyed with synthetic dyes in a water-intensive method. The dye and method vary depending on the face fiber. One common dye method uses benzidine-based azo dyes, which are considered carcinogenic.[14] Many handmade rugs are made with natural dyes from plants, animals (insects) or minerals. Yet, because chemical dyes are more colorfast and cost less, increasingly handmade imported rugs are colored with synthetic dyes.[15]

Cleaner manufacturing

The carpet and machine-made rug manufacturing process requires high amounts of energy and water, plus it produces air and water pollution.[16] To carpet a 15- by 20-foot living room, 350,000 Btus are required.[17]

In 2002, the Carpet and Rug Institute’s Sustainability Report noted the industry’s efforts in reducing environmental impacts. The Institute reported that both water and energy use declined to 8.9 gallons of water per square yard of carpet and to 10.3 million Btus per 1,000 square yards of carpet.[18] An article in National Floor Trends Magazine concurs, reporting that companies are working to reduce their impact on water and energy use.[19]

Recycling on the rise

The chemicals and layers of materials used to manufacture synthetic carpet and rugs can make recycling difficult. Many recycling efforts require all the components to be identified, separated and shredded, which uses more energy and adds costs.[20]

In 2006, 5.2 billion pounds of carpet was sent to the landfill; only about 5 percent was recycled.[21] However, several carpet manufacturers offer take-back programs aimed at recycling materials for use in new carpet products. Other companies use the recycled materials to manufacture additional new products, such as plastic lumber and carpet pads.[22] Carpet America Recovery Effort reports that 240 million pounds of carpet was recycled in 2006, a 23 percent increase over 2005.[23]

Related health issues

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notes that new carpet and some new rugs can off-gas volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that may cause adverse reactions in some people, including skin irritations, headaches, shortness of breath, and coughing. In addition, carpet and rug fibers can trap common allergens such as pollen, dust mites, and mold, throughout the life of the carpet.[24]

The carpet manufacturing industry is now producing products that emit lower VOCs.[25] The Carpet and Rug Institute has a carpet-testing program—Green Label and Green Label Plus—that certifies carpets that meet its indoor air quality standards.[26]

Glossary

• Btu (British thermal unit): A unit of energy used universally in the heating and cooling industries. It is defined as the unit of heat required to raise 1 pound of water by 1° F.
• formaldehyde: A flammable reactive gas belonging to the VOC family of chemicals. It is widely used in personal care products, building materials, insulation, and home furnishings. Ingestion of the chemical can cause severe physical reactions, including coma, internal bleeding, and death.[27] The US Department of Health and Human Services considers it a probable human carcinogen.[28]
• volatile organic compounds (VOCs): Organic solvents that easily evaporate into the air.[29] VOCs are emitted by thousands of products including paints, carpet, pesticides, building materials and furnishings, and they may cause immediate and long-term health problems.[30]

External links

• Building Green - Carpeting, Indoor Air Quality, and the Environment
• Carpet America Recovery Effort
• US Environmental Protection Agency - Introduction to Indoor Air Quality
• The Green Guide - The Green Guide’s Carpet Product Report
• SCS Scientive Certification Systems - Sustainable Carpet