New carpet

[Momtana]

LouLou, Sandra Steingraber is a great writer and very smart woman!
Sonia, I got very very sick from new carpets that were laid at work. The worst time is when the carpet is unrolled and all the chemicals "out gas" into the air. If you can, ask them to unroll the carpets in the warehouse then role them back up to bring to you. They might consider it a pain, but I had to be out of work for 3 months. I was just looking at the worn carpets today and thinking "OMG, they're going to have to put new carpets in again @!%@$##!

 

[Momtana]

LouLou, Sandra Steingraber is a great writer and very smart woman!
Sonia, I got very very sick from new carpets that were laid at work. The worst time is when the carpet is unrolled and all the chemicals "out gas" into the air. If you can, ask them to unroll the carpets in the warehouse then role them back up to bring to you. They might consider it a pain, but I had to be out of work for 3 months. I was just looking at the worn carpets today and thinking "OMG, they're going to have to put new carpets in again @!%@$##!

 

[kybert]

wtf? why the hell would you suggest that sonia cancel the carpet job? carpet isnt going to kill anyone.

 

[kybert]

wtf? why the hell would you suggest that sonia cancel the carpet job? carpet isnt going to kill anyone.

 

[kybert]

wtf? why the hell would you suggest that sonia cancel the carpet job? carpet isnt going to kill anyone.

 

[lightNlife]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>LouLou</b></i>

Consider this <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.mindfully.org/Health/Breast-Milk-Research-Urged.htm">article</a> quoted here:

</end quote></div>

That article is COMPLETELY out of context with regard to this forum topic. I understand you feel compelled to be a "lactivist" at the moment, given your expectant situation, but that article has nothing to do with carpets.

Also, the chemicals that are mentioned in it, and the overall text of the article, focuses on a study of environmental contaminants that have been studied for the last 25-30 years. Many of these have been successfully eliminated from consumer products, and unless you're pouring carpet glue on your morning bowl of cereal, you're not going to have a problem.

Please consider moving your post and the included link to a more appropriate section of the forums. To have it here is unnecessarily alarmist. Be a responsible voice on the forum, and avoid posting information that have no bearing on the topic at hand.

DDT and PCB are water contaminants, and generally enter the bloodstream when you eat contaminated fish. Unless you live in the lost city of Atlantis, the chances of your carpet having DDT and PCB in it are slim to none.

 

[lightNlife]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>LouLou</b></i>

Consider this <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.mindfully.org/Health/Breast-Milk-Research-Urged.htm">article</a> quoted here:

</end quote></div>

That article is COMPLETELY out of context with regard to this forum topic. I understand you feel compelled to be a "lactivist" at the moment, given your expectant situation, but that article has nothing to do with carpets.

Also, the chemicals that are mentioned in it, and the overall text of the article, focuses on a study of environmental contaminants that have been studied for the last 25-30 years. Many of these have been successfully eliminated from consumer products, and unless you're pouring carpet glue on your morning bowl of cereal, you're not going to have a problem.

Please consider moving your post and the included link to a more appropriate section of the forums. To have it here is unnecessarily alarmist. Be a responsible voice on the forum, and avoid posting information that have no bearing on the topic at hand.

DDT and PCB are water contaminants, and generally enter the bloodstream when you eat contaminated fish. Unless you live in the lost city of Atlantis, the chances of your carpet having DDT and PCB in it are slim to none.

 

[lightNlife]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>LouLou</b></i>

Consider this <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.mindfully.org/Health/Breast-Milk-Research-Urged.htm">article</a> quoted here:

</end quote></div>

That article is COMPLETELY out of context with regard to this forum topic. I understand you feel compelled to be a "lactivist" at the moment, given your expectant situation, but that article has nothing to do with carpets.

Also, the chemicals that are mentioned in it, and the overall text of the article, focuses on a study of environmental contaminants that have been studied for the last 25-30 years. Many of these have been successfully eliminated from consumer products, and unless you're pouring carpet glue on your morning bowl of cereal, you're not going to have a problem.

Please consider moving your post and the included link to a more appropriate section of the forums. To have it here is unnecessarily alarmist. Be a responsible voice on the forum, and avoid posting information that have no bearing on the topic at hand.

DDT and PCB are water contaminants, and generally enter the bloodstream when you eat contaminated fish. Unless you live in the lost city of Atlantis, the chances of your carpet having DDT and PCB in it are slim to none.

 

[JazzysMom]

We had commercial grade carpet installed when we remodeled our downstairs. There was an odor for a while, but we kept ventilation going for awhile. I had no problems from it. Had it been in my bedroom or something then maybe I would have had more of an issue. Upstairs we have hardwood floors with area rugs. Even tho I always here that hardwood floors are better for respiratory patients.....I would LOVE to have the wall to wall. It seems harder for me to keep up with the dust or at least I can see it more with the floors. Out of sight out of mind in my house LOL!

 

[JazzysMom]

We had commercial grade carpet installed when we remodeled our downstairs. There was an odor for a while, but we kept ventilation going for awhile. I had no problems from it. Had it been in my bedroom or something then maybe I would have had more of an issue. Upstairs we have hardwood floors with area rugs. Even tho I always here that hardwood floors are better for respiratory patients.....I would LOVE to have the wall to wall. It seems harder for me to keep up with the dust or at least I can see it more with the floors. Out of sight out of mind in my house LOL!

 

[JazzysMom]

We had commercial grade carpet installed when we remodeled our downstairs. There was an odor for a while, but we kept ventilation going for awhile. I had no problems from it. Had it been in my bedroom or something then maybe I would have had more of an issue. Upstairs we have hardwood floors with area rugs. Even tho I always here that hardwood floors are better for respiratory patients.....I would LOVE to have the wall to wall. It seems harder for me to keep up with the dust or at least I can see it more with the floors. Out of sight out of mind in my house LOL!

 

[LouLou]

Thanks for the information lightNlife. I think it's important for people to know that some chemicals stay in our body connected to our fat cells which is relavent to us since we have issues with fat anyway. The news I really wanted to post was about how American women have so much more chemicals in their breastmilk because we are obsessed with WTW carpeting as compared to other countries. Carpeting is full of flame retardant chemicals righfully so.

I didn't have time to search for that exact news I heard on CNN in 2001. This would do as it's relevant and provides a tidbit for anyone wanting to learn more they could research it in more depth. If considering the expenditure of recarpeting it's good to weigh all the pros and cons. That was my point and consider my post on this thread of value and pertinent.

After all the title was...
New carpet - risks?

Sonia, I think your decision is a good one. New carpeting will look great and it will be a selling point in 2 years when you sell your house. This will likely get you more money in return for the sale so a great value. Sounds like a good plan to leave when they arrive. Don't stick around for the removal of the old carpet either. I don't think anyone has mentioned this but I believe mold spores go airborn when the carpet is removed.

 

[LouLou]

Thanks for the information lightNlife. I think it's important for people to know that some chemicals stay in our body connected to our fat cells which is relavent to us since we have issues with fat anyway. The news I really wanted to post was about how American women have so much more chemicals in their breastmilk because we are obsessed with WTW carpeting as compared to other countries. Carpeting is full of flame retardant chemicals righfully so.

I didn't have time to search for that exact news I heard on CNN in 2001. This would do as it's relevant and provides a tidbit for anyone wanting to learn more they could research it in more depth. If considering the expenditure of recarpeting it's good to weigh all the pros and cons. That was my point and consider my post on this thread of value and pertinent.

After all the title was...
New carpet - risks?

Sonia, I think your decision is a good one. New carpeting will look great and it will be a selling point in 2 years when you sell your house. This will likely get you more money in return for the sale so a great value. Sounds like a good plan to leave when they arrive. Don't stick around for the removal of the old carpet either. I don't think anyone has mentioned this but I believe mold spores go airborn when the carpet is removed.

 

[LouLou]

Thanks for the information lightNlife. I think it's important for people to know that some chemicals stay in our body connected to our fat cells which is relavent to us since we have issues with fat anyway. The news I really wanted to post was about how American women have so much more chemicals in their breastmilk because we are obsessed with WTW carpeting as compared to other countries. Carpeting is full of flame retardant chemicals righfully so.

I didn't have time to search for that exact news I heard on CNN in 2001. This would do as it's relevant and provides a tidbit for anyone wanting to learn more they could research it in more depth. If considering the expenditure of recarpeting it's good to weigh all the pros and cons. That was my point and consider my post on this thread of value and pertinent.

After all the title was...
New carpet - risks?

Sonia, I think your decision is a good one. New carpeting will look great and it will be a selling point in 2 years when you sell your house. This will likely get you more money in return for the sale so a great value. Sounds like a good plan to leave when they arrive. Don't stick around for the removal of the old carpet either. I don't think anyone has mentioned this but I believe mold spores go airborn when the carpet is removed.

 

[JazzysMom]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>LouLou</b></i>

Thanks for the information lightNlife. I think it's important for people to know that some chemicals stay in our body connected to our fat cells which is relavent to us since we have issues with fat anyway. The news I really wanted to post was about how American women have so much more chemicals in their breastmilk because we are obsessed with WTW carpeting as compared to other countries. I didn't have time to search for that exact news I heard on CNN in 2001. This would do as it's relevant and provide a tidbit for anyone wanting to learn more the could research it in more depth. If considering the expenditure of recarpeting it's good to weigh all the pros and cons. That was my point and consider my post on this thread of valuable and pertinent.</end quote></div>

I just read the article and although most of it appears to be geared toward the topic of breast feeding.....the one obvious part about flame retardents is most certainly appropriate to this topic!

This is the paragraph:
On a positive note, Dr. Solomon reported that levels of PCB's, DDT and dioxins in breast milk have gone down in Western countries, largely because of bans or strict regulatory controls on these chemicals. But, she said, a relatively new type of contaminant, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE's), which are used as flame retardants in computers, furniture, upholstery, plastic casings and other consumer products, are increasing exponentially in breast milk. Levels are still low now, but if the use of PBDE's are not limited, levels are expected to rise to potentially dangerous levels, Dr. Solomon said.

Another researcher reported that some studies showed that women who had high levels of DDE, the DDT breakdown product, had more difficulty breast-feeding than others.


**Alarmist or not.....what happened to Knowledge being Power**

 

[JazzysMom]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>LouLou</b></i>

Thanks for the information lightNlife. I think it's important for people to know that some chemicals stay in our body connected to our fat cells which is relavent to us since we have issues with fat anyway. The news I really wanted to post was about how American women have so much more chemicals in their breastmilk because we are obsessed with WTW carpeting as compared to other countries. I didn't have time to search for that exact news I heard on CNN in 2001. This would do as it's relevant and provide a tidbit for anyone wanting to learn more the could research it in more depth. If considering the expenditure of recarpeting it's good to weigh all the pros and cons. That was my point and consider my post on this thread of valuable and pertinent.</end quote></div>

I just read the article and although most of it appears to be geared toward the topic of breast feeding.....the one obvious part about flame retardents is most certainly appropriate to this topic!

This is the paragraph:
On a positive note, Dr. Solomon reported that levels of PCB's, DDT and dioxins in breast milk have gone down in Western countries, largely because of bans or strict regulatory controls on these chemicals. But, she said, a relatively new type of contaminant, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE's), which are used as flame retardants in computers, furniture, upholstery, plastic casings and other consumer products, are increasing exponentially in breast milk. Levels are still low now, but if the use of PBDE's are not limited, levels are expected to rise to potentially dangerous levels, Dr. Solomon said.

Another researcher reported that some studies showed that women who had high levels of DDE, the DDT breakdown product, had more difficulty breast-feeding than others.


**Alarmist or not.....what happened to Knowledge being Power**

 

[JazzysMom]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>LouLou</b></i>

Thanks for the information lightNlife. I think it's important for people to know that some chemicals stay in our body connected to our fat cells which is relavent to us since we have issues with fat anyway. The news I really wanted to post was about how American women have so much more chemicals in their breastmilk because we are obsessed with WTW carpeting as compared to other countries. I didn't have time to search for that exact news I heard on CNN in 2001. This would do as it's relevant and provide a tidbit for anyone wanting to learn more the could research it in more depth. If considering the expenditure of recarpeting it's good to weigh all the pros and cons. That was my point and consider my post on this thread of valuable and pertinent.</end quote></div>

I just read the article and although most of it appears to be geared toward the topic of breast feeding.....the one obvious part about flame retardents is most certainly appropriate to this topic!

This is the paragraph:
On a positive note, Dr. Solomon reported that levels of PCB's, DDT and dioxins in breast milk have gone down in Western countries, largely because of bans or strict regulatory controls on these chemicals. But, she said, a relatively new type of contaminant, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE's), which are used as flame retardants in computers, furniture, upholstery, plastic casings and other consumer products, are increasing exponentially in breast milk. Levels are still low now, but if the use of PBDE's are not limited, levels are expected to rise to potentially dangerous levels, Dr. Solomon said.

Another researcher reported that some studies showed that women who had high levels of DDE, the DDT breakdown product, had more difficulty breast-feeding than others.


**Alarmist or not.....what happened to Knowledge being Power**

 

[lightNlife]

Perhaps you linked to the wrong article. The title of that paper is "Research is Urged for Healthier Breast Milk." Also, that article is already 6 years old, and a lot has happened, environmentally speaking, to make things safer. Again, things like DDT are far bigger threats when they are waterborne.

I don't really drink much breast milk anymore, so I think I'm safe

I've been combing through my text books and other professional resources to see what I can find out about these chemicals in WTW carpet. LouLou mentioned the flame-retardant chemicals. Those are found in furniture upholstery, mattresses, and a lot of other synthetic fabrics, including certain plastics. The chemicals specific to carpet are in the carpet pad, not the carpet, and the risk of exposure is exceptionally low.

There is no conclusive way to test for these chemicals in your home, nor is there evidence that they cause significant harm. However, in response to perceived danger, the leading manufacturers of such products have voluntarily phased out their use by 2005. (Which again demonstrates that the article about breast milk is outdated.) Additionally, the Department of Toxic Substances Control in California has banned the used of the fire retardant chemical Polybrominated-diethers. (PBDE)

So, there you go. A little dose of knowledge to add to your power. By the way, as far as that phrase goes, Sir Francis Bacon said that and it applies to gaining philosophical understanding of the world around us. Knowledge is awareness and understanding of the facts and organizing them in such a way as to form new meanings and ideas.

 

[lightNlife]

Perhaps you linked to the wrong article. The title of that paper is "Research is Urged for Healthier Breast Milk." Also, that article is already 6 years old, and a lot has happened, environmentally speaking, to make things safer. Again, things like DDT are far bigger threats when they are waterborne.

I don't really drink much breast milk anymore, so I think I'm safe

I've been combing through my text books and other professional resources to see what I can find out about these chemicals in WTW carpet. LouLou mentioned the flame-retardant chemicals. Those are found in furniture upholstery, mattresses, and a lot of other synthetic fabrics, including certain plastics. The chemicals specific to carpet are in the carpet pad, not the carpet, and the risk of exposure is exceptionally low.

There is no conclusive way to test for these chemicals in your home, nor is there evidence that they cause significant harm. However, in response to perceived danger, the leading manufacturers of such products have voluntarily phased out their use by 2005. (Which again demonstrates that the article about breast milk is outdated.) Additionally, the Department of Toxic Substances Control in California has banned the used of the fire retardant chemical Polybrominated-diethers. (PBDE)

So, there you go. A little dose of knowledge to add to your power. By the way, as far as that phrase goes, Sir Francis Bacon said that and it applies to gaining philosophical understanding of the world around us. Knowledge is awareness and understanding of the facts and organizing them in such a way as to form new meanings and ideas.

 

[lightNlife]

Perhaps you linked to the wrong article. The title of that paper is "Research is Urged for Healthier Breast Milk." Also, that article is already 6 years old, and a lot has happened, environmentally speaking, to make things safer. Again, things like DDT are far bigger threats when they are waterborne.

I don't really drink much breast milk anymore, so I think I'm safe

I've been combing through my text books and other professional resources to see what I can find out about these chemicals in WTW carpet. LouLou mentioned the flame-retardant chemicals. Those are found in furniture upholstery, mattresses, and a lot of other synthetic fabrics, including certain plastics. The chemicals specific to carpet are in the carpet pad, not the carpet, and the risk of exposure is exceptionally low.

There is no conclusive way to test for these chemicals in your home, nor is there evidence that they cause significant harm. However, in response to perceived danger, the leading manufacturers of such products have voluntarily phased out their use by 2005. (Which again demonstrates that the article about breast milk is outdated.) Additionally, the Department of Toxic Substances Control in California has banned the used of the fire retardant chemical Polybrominated-diethers. (PBDE)

So, there you go. A little dose of knowledge to add to your power. By the way, as far as that phrase goes, Sir Francis Bacon said that and it applies to gaining philosophical understanding of the world around us. Knowledge is awareness and understanding of the facts and organizing them in such a way as to form new meanings and ideas.