Federal Guidelines Recognize State of Scientific Research Concerning Carpet and Indoor Air Quality
The National Institutes of Health’s (NIH’s) National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) released the “2020 Focused Updates to the Asthma Management Guidelines,” new federal guidelines regarding the best treatments for asthma and allergies on December 3, 2020. The updated guidance is neutral concerning carpet removal and does not include any recommendations regarding removing carpet as a way to treat asthma and allergies.
“We’re pleased that these new guidelines recognize the most up-to-date science on carpet and indoor air quality,” said Joe Yarbrough, president, CRI. “CRI’s work has been instrumental in highlighting the studies that support this update, which is a positive development for our industry.”
The federal guidelines are used by public and private stakeholders, including other federal and state agencies along with the medical community.
“Beginning in 2013, a CRI task group comprised of subject matter experts from our industry worked to gather and submit science and data to NIH,” Yarbrough said. “Their work was instrumental in this initiative for the industry.”
CRI submitted studies that found carpet can improve indoor air quality by keeping particles out of the breathing zone until they can be removed through regular cleaning. Research indicates that carpet can have a positive impact on air quality.
“We owe a great thanks to our volunteers and member companies for their support and dedication to this process,” Yarbrough added. “We look forward to continuing to promote carpet as the best flooring for improving indoor air quality in homes and commercial spaces.”
Learn more about carpet and indoor air quality at www.carpet-rug.org/iaq.
About the Carpet and Rug Institute
CRI is the leading industry source for science-based information and insight on how carpet and rugs create a better environment for living, working, learning, and healing. CRI’s mission is to serve the carpet industry and public by providing facts that help people make informed choices. Its best practices promote a balance between social, economic, and environmental responsibility for the long term. CRI does this for its industry, yet it strives to be a model corporate citizen for all industries.
