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Carpet & Asthma

Indoor allergens can trigger asthma. Surfaces have a greater concentration of allergens than the air, and carpet is a trap for many of the allergens that trigger asthma, including dust mites, pet allergens and dust.

  1. Dust Mites

    • Dust mites are small bugs that thrive in warm, humid environments. The waste from dust mites, which collects in tremendous quantities in carpet, is the allergen.

    Pet Allergens

    • Pet allergens (found in pet dander, urine and saliva) build in readily in carpet.

    Dust

    • Bacteria found in household dust is suspected of triggering asthma, according to a study published in the "American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine" in 2005. Household dust collects easily in carpet.

    Strong Odor

    • Strong odor is a trigger for some people with asthma. New synthetic carpet can emit strong odor related to formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

    Recommendations

    • The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute recommends removing the carpets in your house, but in particular in your bedroom. If you keep carpets, keeping carpets clean can reduce allergens. This means frequent vacuuming while wearing a dust mask, using a central HVAC system where the collection bag is outside the house, or using a vacuum with a HEPA filter. In addition, dry clean carpets instead of steam cleaning them because steam cleaning creates an environment that breeds dust mites.

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