Article Number : 3851 |
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| Date | 11/12/2008 8:31:27 AM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=3851 |
| Abstract | By Patricia Flavin, Senior vice president of marketing, Beaulieu of America In the discussion of what’s good for the environment, don’t overlook the quality of the indoor environment, too... |
| Article | By Patricia Flavin, Senior vice president of marketing, Beaulieu of America In the discussion of what’s good for the environment, don’t overlook the quality of the indoor environment, too. It happens all too often. Mom takes her son or daughter to the pediatrician. The diagnosis is an allergy or asthma condition. The prescription, among other things, is to remove all the carpet from the home. And according to research available online at the Carpet & Rug Institute’s (CRI) Web site the doctor has just dispensed a dose of an “urban legend.” Carpet doesn’t aggravate allergy or asthma conditions. On the contrary, carpet “acts as a trap for airborne particles grounded through natural gravity.” In essence, carpet functions as a passive filter in the home and holds dust, mold spores, pollen, pet dander and the like until it is vacuumed and cleaned. Every carpet manufacturer provides recommendations for the proper installation, care and maintenance by the owner in order to ensure maximum performance and customer satisfaction for the life of the product. And the life of today’s carpet, with technological advances in manufacturing, fibers and treatments, is exceptional. However, problems can and do occur when those guidelines aren’t followed. And the result? Carpet gets a bum rap. And often perfectly good carpeting gets disposed of before its time, adding to environmental waste and the unnecessary use of resources to replace it. Still another misconception about carpet’s relationship to indoor air quality concerns VOCs. According to the CRI, carpet contains no formaldehyde, requires fewer cleaning chemicals than other flooring and is the lowest VOC emitter than most common flooring choices. Yes, there is that “new carpet smell,” but be assured the VOCs are at their lowest levels when you see the CRI Green Label certification. So how should we, as floor covering professionals, address consumer environmental questions and concerns regarding carpet? Carpet is unequaled by any other floor covering option with regard to comfort, insulating quality and quiet. Tremendous advances have been made in the manufacturing and reclamation of carpet in the last 20 years that make it greener than ever before. Consult each manufacturer for specifics regarding sustainability practices, conservation measures and alternative resources. The Carpet & Rug Institute is an invaluable resource of facts and sound advice to counter misconceptions about carpet as well as provide tips on the best vacuum cleaners and carpet cleaning practices. Encourage your customer that following the manufacturer’s guidelines for cleaning and maintenance is important. The right kind of vacuum cleaner and professional cleaners is a must. Remember that many floor covering customers actually prefer carpet over alternatives but may need fact-based reassurance in light of so much misinformation out there. Don’t be reluctant to share the facts! |