New carpets and respiratory issues

[dgorila1]

We moved into a new construction several months ago that has new carpet throughout. Our intent was to eventually remove the carpet once we pay off some bills and put down hardwood flooring. The entire family has been having repiratory issues ongoing for the last few months, and we have pretty much figured out that it is because of all the particles the new carpets are shedding. Its like breathing fiberglass insulation on some days. Last night was the last straw as we were all coughing all night. I purchased enough hardwood laminate flooring to do all the main floors this weekend. We did this in our last house and loved them. The worst part will be removing all the carpet (about 1200sf) and carpet nailer strips. I will start tonight to get a jump on it.
Many of my coworkers said they had similar problems with new carpet and had them cleaned by professional carpet cleaners, which helped greatly. We decided to just go ahead and get rid of them all together to eliminate the problem. Has anyone else had similar problems like this? Thanks.

[Holistic Star]

We've got wood flooring throughout our house for precisly the same reason. New carpet and I don't get on.

When we painted our kitchen I ended up having an asthma attach and was wheezy for several weeks afterwards.

It's due to volatile organic compounds' VOC's. These include toluene, benzene, formaldehyde, ethyl benzene, styrene, acetone and are nasty to breath in.

[TheHulaQueen]

Same here... I avoid new carpets totally. I think it's not so much the particles as the strong chemicals they use in it. You just have to go into a carpet store to experience it first hand.

Congratulations on taking action and making it happen! Laminate floors are so much nicer too and easier to care for.

In our current house (a rental) it was newly painted when we moved in. So we rigged up a bed on the desk under a covered area. A year and a half later we're still sleeping there. It's just amazing! And you can thank the carpet for helping you achieve your goal of changing the floor sooner too!

Have a great day!

[TheHulaQueen]

There is fabulous chemical free paint available now. It doesn't even smell like paint! The shops that sell it are quite proud of the fact it has none of the fillers that plump out regular paint (and make it smell so bad). Like food additives they are there for the paint company, not for you and how the paint works on your walls. I've found that this paint costs about twice as much but easily covers twice as much wall. Look for something like that next time you need to paint. It was imported from Italy but I'm sure there are other brands too.