Are Your Floors Making You Sick?

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Indoor air quality is a growing concern for homeowners, and testing has indicated that the air many people breathe indoors may be poorer than outdoor air. With more concern than ever about the pollutants in our environment, that "new carpet smell" might take on a more serious meaning.

The causes are varied, but volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are some of the most common contributors to indoor air pollution. VOCs can be found in many household products including paints and lacquers, plywood, particleboard, adhesives, paint strippers, insulation, paneling, and flooring.

Thanks to misinformation, many people believe that carpeting and rugs are a big contributor to poor indoor air. This actually isn't the case. "Carpet is a safe, cost-effective and fashionable choice for many indoor settings and may in fact contribute to removing pollutants from the air," says David Forman, marketing director for Nourison, a leader in today's floor covering market.

According to the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI), carpet is one of the lowest emitters of volatile organic compounds in the home. And companies like Nourison are making strides to make their products ever safer for consumers, reducing indoor air pollution.

A Green Choice

CRI offers in-depth testing programs, called Green Label and Green Label Plus, to identify healthier carpet and rug options. A Green Label indicates that a rug or carpet (plus, cushioning and adhesives) is emitting the lowest level of VOCs possible and indicates that a product is one of the industry's best for indoor air quality. This year, CRI has certified dozens of broadloom collections from Nourison, Certification by Green Label Plus.

In order to earn and maintain Green Label Plus certifications, carpet and adhesives undergo a three tier testing process (initial, quarterly and annually), to monitor continued compliance with the program's requirements. Products are tested for emission levels of VOCs and dozens of chemicals and adhesives, and only those that meet stringent test levels are awarded Green Label Plus certification.

Nourison's Collections identified for the very best indoor air quality include a number of signature collections: Nourison 2000; Ashton House; Ashton 92; Grand Parterre; Grand Textures; Grand Velvet; Heritage Hall; and Grand Chalet; as well as new introductions Harmony, Lineage, Allure, Majesty, Monet, Paradise, Renoir, Melody, Da Vinci, Rembrandt and Madison.

To learn more about Green Label Plus, visit www.carpet-rug.org. To view Nourison rugs that have earned the Green Label Plus certification, visit www.nourison.com.