When installing or using carpet in the workplace, workers are potentially exposed to multiple chemicals in low doses emitted from both the materials involved to make the product and the manufacturing process. Low doses of chemicals over long periods from carpets, carpet adhesives, carpet cleaners and other chemical products and residues, can result in some people developing chemical sensitivities. Asthma and other allergies can also be aggravated by the use of carpet especially if it is not cleaned regularly.
Carpets are now predominantly made of man-made fibres such as nylon, polyester and polypropylene, along with some available in natural fibres such as wool or cotton. When installing carpet, adhesives and a carpet underlay are also usually used.
To reduce exposure to chemicals and allergens associated with the use of carpet, consideration can be given to carpet alternatives such as: timber floorboards, tiling, matting, linoleum (lino), cork, slate or concrete floors. Hard floors are more asthma friendly due to dust mites not being able to breed on these surfaces, with hard floors also being easier to clean. It must be noted that hard floors also have potential chemicals associated with them due to sealers, manufacturing components and processes.
Workplace solutions and adjustments:
For people with asthma, allergies or those sensitive to chemicals, the installation and use of carpet within the workplace can contribute to symptoms. These symptoms may potentially reduce productivity and work performance. If carpeting is necessary within the workplace, consider taking measures to reduce exposure of employees to chemicals and allergens by:
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installing carpet when the building is not occupied
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leave newly carpeted rooms empty for 24 – 72 hours following installation with good air ventilation to help remove odours
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when selecting carpet, choose products with low chemical emission ratings, low pile, synthetic fibres with rubber underlay (if wanting to be asthma friendly)
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vacuum the carpet thoroughly after installation
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ensure low emission carpet adhesives are used during installation.
(CRI (no date specified); Asthma Tasmania (no date specified); Asthma Foundation (no date specified); OHS Reps @ Work (no date specified); Job Accommodation Network 2007).
Relevant Links:
References:
Asthma Tasmania (no date specified), Pamphlet: Breathe easy not wheezy – Make your home asthma friendly, Asthma Tasmania, Battery Point, viewed 8 August 2008, http://www.asthmatas.org.au/pdf/Asthma%20Brochure.pdf
CRI (no date specified), What is CRI? Frequently Asked Questions, The Carpet and Rug Institute, Georgia, viewed 8 August 2008, http://www.carpet-rug.org/about-cri/what-is-cri/frequently-asked-questions.cfm
Asthma Foundation (no date specified),Towards the Low Allergy Home, The Asthma Foundation of Western Australia Inc., viewed 8 August 2008, West Perth, http://www.asthmawa.org.au/files/factsheets/Towards%20the%20Low%20Allergen%20Home.pdf
Job Accommodation Network 2007, Accommodation and Compliance Series: Employees with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and Environmental Illness, U.S. Department of Labour, West Virginia, viewed 8 August 2008, http://www.jan.wvu.edu/media/MCS.html
OHS Reps @ Work (no date specified), Multiple Chemical Sensitivity – What is it? OHS Reps @ Work, Melbourne, viewed 8 August 2008, http://www.ohsrep.org.au/hazards/chemicals/multiple-chemical-sensitivity/index.cfm