Clearing the Air about Asthma and Allergy

The weight of evidence does not support a link between carpet and asthma and allergy symptoms, even though some healthcare providers believe there is an association. In fact, clean, dry, well-maintained carpet actually improves indoor air quality.

Researcher and toxicology expert Mitchell Sauerhoff, Ph.D., DABT, reviewed 23 U.S. and international scientific studies and concluded in "Carpet, Asthma and Allergies - Myth or Reality," that carpet's alleged negative characteristics are not consistent with current research. In fact, he concludes that the literature on carpet and asthma or allergies confirms that children and adults living with carpet do not have an increased incidence of asthma or allergy.

Carpet in Bedrooms Prove No Problem

A study entitled "Housing Characteristics, Reported Mold Exposure, and Asthma in the European Community Respiratory Health Survey" examined the association between adult asthma and housing characteristics related to dampness, mold exposures and house dust mite levels. A negative relationship between bedroom carpets and asthma seemed to be apparent in nearly all the 38 study centers, including counties where carpet is uncommon and areas with a low prevalence of house dust mite sensitization. Perhaps the most important conclusion drawn from this study is that mold exposure - and not carpet in homes - has an adverse effect on asthma symptoms and bronchial responsiveness.

Carpet and Schools

A Dutch study followed a group of asthmatic children from carpeted and uncarpeted classrooms and concluded that carpeted classroom floors do not contribute to asthma symptoms or severity. A 2003 study examined more than 4,000 U.S. elementary students and their parents and found that carpet in classrooms has no affect on student health, plus carpet in a child's bedroom was associated with lower rates of asthma medication use and school absenteeism.

What Health Organizations Say

In 1993 a study titled "Global Strategy for Asthma Management and Prevention" was published collaboratively by the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the World Health Organization. The 2007 update to the original report states that there is no evidence that replacing carpet with hard surface flooring has a health benefit.

Download a Summary of Studes That Shows No Negative Relationship Between Carpet and Asthma and Allergies (PDF 541 KB)

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