In an educational setting, students come first. That’s why maintaining indoor air quality is paramount. The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) has conducted scientific research and gathered independent data that show carpet is not only a viable choice for schools, it’s the best choice.

What You Should Know

• New carpet is the lowest VOC-emitting floor covering and one of the lowest-emitting products used in new construction and renovation – much lower than products such as paint. The already low VOC emission of new carpet drops significantly after 24 hours—even sooner with fresh air ventilation.

• Carpet manufacturers were the first in the flooring industry to thoroughly study their products for indoor air quality effects in school settings. CRI worked with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), academic institutions and independent laboratories to evaluate carpet’s role in the indoor environment.

• In 1992, CRI became the first organization to set limits on VOC emissions from carpet, adhesives and cushion. Since then, the Green Label Plus program has voluntarily tightened IAQ standards four times by requiring even lower emission levels and increasing the number of compounds evaluated.

• CRI also worked with California’s Sustainable Building Task Force and Department of Health to certify carpet and adhesives. Green Label Plus meets, and even exceeds, the low-emitting product testing protocols used by the Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS).

• Carpet also plays the role of an air filter: carpet traps dust, pollen and other particles, taking them out of the breathing zone until they can be removed easily by vacuuming.1

The Facts about Carpet and Indoor Air Quality for School Administrators and Facility Managers Visit carpet-rug.org and criblog.org to learn more.
1 Lang, Susan S. 2001. “Carpets in Schools Don’t Compromise Air Quality . Human Ecology quality. (Spring) 29: 24.