Indoor Air Quality and Carpet Installation

Ensure that your new carpet meets indoor air quality standards. The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) has an Indoor Air Quality Carpet Testing Green Label which sets carpet standards. Adhering to the CRI standards is recommended, but requiring the CRI Label in specs may eliminate certain carpet manufacturers such as Collins & Aikman which may exceed CRI standards, but do not use the CRI Label.

Several manufacturers, including Milliken, Interface, Bentley Prince Street, Mohawk, Shaw, and Collins & Aikmen have either committed to entirely PVC-free manufacturing or produced PVC-free carpet backing.

Carpet can be a major source of indoor air contamination. The adhesives used to install carpets and the latex rubber used by some manufacturers to adhere face fibers to backing materials generate volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Carpets also cover large surfaces within an interior environment and can provide “sinks” for the absorption of VOCs from other sources. Installing carpets in strict accordance with CRI guidelines, as well as additional measures such as requiring suppliers to unroll and air-out carpets in the warehouse before bringing them into the building, will minimize the risks of indoor air quality problems resulting from the carpet. Tests indicate that carpet emissions will dissipate within 48 to 72 hours with proper ventilation.

Commercial carpets can be installed with water based, low VOC adhesives, or the products can be purchased with preapplied adhesive. Carpet tiles allow for the replacement of individual tiles when they are soiled or damaged, but the production of tiles may require more bonding agents than broadloom. A variety of adhesives are included in the CRI Green Label program; water-based adhesives are available from the distributors listed below. Rubber-based recycled padding is commonly used and can outgas. Recycled padding made from recycled carpet fibers may be more suitable for environmentally sensitive persons. Carpet cushion is tested in the CRI program and a variety of cushion products qualify to carry the CRI Green Label.