California Residents Provided Advice about the Pros and Cons of Carpet for their Indoor Environment

Whether building a new home or commercial building, remodeling, or repairing a property due to water damage or another event, choosing the type of flooring to be installed is an important decision.

Common choices include tile, stone, wood, vinyl and carpeting. In many circumstances, carpet is selected due to its cost, warmth, and large selection of colors, patterns and fibers. Carpet has additional advantages as well, such as its insulating and noise dampening properties and the short period of time it takes to be installed.

While carpeting can be a good fit for many situations, it also has a downside. New carpet with its padding and adhesives, like many new interior finishing materials, will often off-gas volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for a period of time after being installed.

“Carpet can also act as a reservoir for dust, dirt, pollen, pet dander, mold, dust mites, pesticides and other materials and allergens which may originate indoors or be brought into the indoor environment from outside,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager at LA Testing’s Garden Grove facility. “It can also trap a significant amount of particles, which can be removed through regular and effective vacuuming. However, poor carpet maintenance can allow large quantities of dust and debris to build up over time.”

Carpets can even act as sinks for the adsorption of VOCs from other sources and re-emit them later. Moisture can also be trapped below or in carpeting, which can result in mold growth and the release of mold spores. Effective moisture control is critical to protect carpeting and all building systems from the potential for mold growth.

For those who suspect their carpeting may be causing indoor environmental issues in their home or office, LA Testing offers environmental allergen, mold and VOC testing services. LA Testing also recently sponsored an educational video about the pros and cons of carpeting and potential indoor environmental issues that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/vZ8bHl-5NzQ.

To learn more about indoor environmental testing services, please visit www.LATesting.com, email  info@LATesting.com  or call (800) 755-1794. For access and more information about any of the consumer test kits, please visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.  

About LA Testing

LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other substances.  In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, CDC ELITE, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states.  LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Sierra Madre, Garden Grove, San Leandro and San Diego.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

LA Testing

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail