There has been much scaremongering over the years wherever carpet appears to be the enemy when it comes to worsening health conditions like allergies and asthma. This has been a notable concern for the carpet industry to discuss as well. But, are these anxieties justified? Today, evidence and research will steer to the many health and emotional benefits that carpet-covered spaces give to their users. If anything, carpets have the capacity to soothe the senses and positively influence our mental and physical well-being.
Opposed to claims many years ago that held carpet accountable for contributing to concerns for allergy sufferers, in 2005, a German study authorised by the DAAB (The German Allergy & Asthma Society) discovered that smooth flooring raised the risk of fine dust load in indoor spaces versus places with fitted (wall-to-wall) carpets. Rather, the latter was, in fact, liable for significantly reducing the health risks posed, particularly in asthma and allergy patients. In another study comprising 4,634 school-going kids in New Jersey, it was also noted that carpeting provided protection against allergies and asthma. Carpets in the bedrooms meant fewer leaves of absence from school and fewer amounts of asthma medication.
In yet another global survey by the European Community Respiratory Health Service Study comprising 19,000 people from 18 nations, including Australia, New Zealand, the United States and India, it was observed that people with irritation to dust mites actually reacted better when carpets were used in the room.
So how are carpets advantageous to people with sensitivities?
A common misunderstanding is that carpets are a cause of allergy development. Nevertheless, because allergens are carried through the dust particles in the air, this dust, hair and ultrafine particulate material will be easily agitated and blown up in the air with as little as a flurry of wind wafting in the window or people wandering in a room.
This is then breathed, producing discomfort and irritation. And this is where the myths need to be exposed: contrary to common belief, the fibres in carpets are able to trap these allergens and dust particles to assure they are not discharged into the air so easily, unlike with hard flooring, wherever the dust particulates are easily displaced through any movement in the space.
As with all flooring, a practical maintenance program is necessary, and for carpets – especially when using a HEPA-filter vacuum cleaner – caught allergens and dust mites will be forever removed. What this does is lessen allergy or asthma attacks brought on by dust, and some carpets are far more efficient than others in doing this.
Physical health benefits
Among other health advantages, the Carpet Institute of Australia Ltd finds that carpets also release lower levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). They describe how carpets are made to pass in a finishing oven that eliminates most of the solvents and volatile chemicals, leaving the final outcome with low VOC content.
As a consequence, the discharges are significantly lower as well, particularly when compared to most other building materials present indoors. Also, carpets tend to absorb VOCs like formaldehyde. This continues on to have a ripple effect of health benefits that assist users to breathe easy while also enhancing indoor air quality.
As it turns out, slips and falls are amongst Australia’s largest and most expensive public health dilemmas. That’s why carpets are especially beneficial when it comes to sustaining safer surfaces in homes, educational and healthcare buildings. In fact, the Building Code of Australia has revealed specific slip-resistance classifications for carpets, particularly for stairs and surfaces of ramps and landings.
Carpets are also perfect for improving the thermal performance of indoor spaces and decreasing reliance on air conditioning or heating systems. Plush carpet piles matched with dense underlays absorb and confine heat, keeping spaces heated in winter and cool in the summertime.
Carpets and Psychology
Carpets have also been proven to produce lower stress levels. The feeling of softness and padded flooring underfoot has an instant effect on the mental frame of mind. In a study that invited forty-two people to walk on wooden flooring and carpeting for ten minutes apiece, it was noted that the latter produced lesser stress than its wooden equivalent. That carpets can help in decreasing psychological stress implies the need to address the value of carpeting in indoor spaces and increase its overall public perception.
Also, with properties such as noise attenuation and sound-proofing, carpets are capable of reducing stress from noise control, increasing productivity and also influencing patient health positively in aged care facilities.
So, have you contemplated investing in a culture that encourages wellness indoors? For quality carpeting solutions that produce non-toxic, breathable, and sustainable indoor settings, contact CarpetAce Carpet and Flooring Store In Melbourne.
