Question from Cat
New carpets were just laid down in my friend’s workplace a month or two ago – I think they are made of nylon. A couple of weeks ago she started feeling ill – nausea, dizziness, sinus congestion, and severe lethargy. Her doctor told her it was a virus, or possibly irritation of childhood ear injury. Could these symptoms be from the carpet? Are there any tests doctors can perform to determine whether patients are having a toxic reaction, or are there tests that can be done on the carpet itself to measure outgassing? Thanks for your responses!
Debra’s Answer
Absolutely it can be the carpet, and I would venture to say it probably is.
There are tests that can be done for toxic chemicals in the human body, but I understand they cost around $15,000.
Anderson Labs can test your carpet sample. They put your sample into a glass chamber and collect the chemicals it releases. Then laboratory mice are given the air from that chamber (containing the pollutants from your item) to breathe and ill effects (on eyes, nose, throat, lungs, and nervous system) from breathing that air are noted. This test does not identify the toxic chemicals, but does determine they are toxic. This kind of test costs about $1000.
Personally, I probably wouldn’t spend the money on testing. I’d take out the carpet, or have your friend go someplace without carpet for a week and see if she feels better. If so, then take out the carpet and spend the money on the replacement.
