Carpet & Health: Allergens

CARPET KEEPS ALLERGENS OUT OF THE AIR

Carpet acts like a trap, keeping dust and allergens out of the air we breathe.  Simply put, what falls to the carpet (dust, pet dander and many other particulates that we breathe in) tends to stay trapped in the carpet until it is removed through vacuuming or extraction cleaning.  Unlike smooth floor surfaces that allow dust and other allergens to re-circulate into the breathing zone, properly maintained carpet actually contributes to improved air quality.

Independent testing has compared the distribution of airborne dust associated with normal activities on hard and soft flooring surfaces. Findings show that walking on hard surfaces disturbs more particles than walking on carpeted surfaces. In contrast, carpeted surfaces trap more particles so that walking disturbs fewer particles, resulting in less dust in the breathing zone of children and adults.

http://www.carpet-rug.org/commercial-customers/carpet-and-health/index.cfm