Chemical Reactions To New Carpet

One fiber manufacturer has estimated the number of household products which can cause stains or spots on carpet products to be in excess of 50.

Chemical reactions to new carpet.

With new carpet this is thought to be the result of breathing 4 phenylcyclohexene 4 pc a chemical that is often used in the production of floor coverings. While the new carpet smell might be preferable to the musty smell associated with old and dirty carpets this smell is produced by 4 phenyl cyclohexane 4 pc. 4 phenyl cyclohexaneis a gas that is produced from chemical reactions between the styrene and butadiene latex most likely used in the backing of your new carpeting. Additionally work measuring voc emissions from carpet to characterize new materials and manufacturing processes as they are introduced into the market will continue to be important.

New carpet shouldn t contain mold mildew or large amounts of dust or hair which can induce an allergic reaction. The vocs responsible for new carpet smell are 4 phenylcyclohexene 4 pch and to a lesser extent styrene. 4 pc is used in the latex backing of 95 of us carpets. Allowing the new pieces to air out before you pet is allowed to stretch out on or under them will dramatically lower the risk of a chemical reaction.

But many people experience an allergic reaction after a new carpet installation. We also need to better understand the chemical reactions occurring on the carpet including aqueous reactions in water films on porous indoor surfaces. As a new carpet gradually releases or off gasses chemical residue the chemicals enter the air where we can smell them. For example 4 phenylcyclohexene is a voc found in latex emissions and may be off gassed.

A reaction to an older carpet usually develops because of things such as mold mites or dust trapped in its fibers not because of the carpet itself. In addition to the actual materials used to make carpet vocs may cause allergic reactions in some people. That new carpet smell comes from 4 pc associated with eye nose and upper respiratory problems. Within a few days to a few weeks these fumes dissipate and the carpet no longer smells.

Often people assume the fibers of the carpet are what cause the allergic reaction but the fiber whether synthetic or natural is rarely the issue.