Question from Pat Habeck
Dear Debra
I am a chemically sensitive person ( I’d say moderately) and I recently pulled up an old, worn out rubber backed carpet and replaced it with an “Earthweave brand” carpet that is made of all natural wool,hemp/cotton back & natural rubber adhesive. They also installed an all natural wool pad. The ad said it was good for chemically sensitive people.
After it was installed, I found, much to my chagrin, that it affected my eyes and respiratory tract. I could not stay in that room! For me, it also had an odor like “rubber”. My husband who is not chemically sensitive smelled nothing.
We kept airing out the room for 5 weeks and my reaction did not become less so we pulled it up. I wonder if any other chemically sensitive people have had a similar experience with similar carpets?
We are now faced with the dilemma of what to do next. There is old linoleum tile on that floor now that needs to be covered up with something. After reading one of your respondent’s letters, cork probably would not be a good choice. We sure could use some guidance as this sure was an expensive mistake!!!
Debra’s Answer
Your experience is an important reminder that 1) people with MCS in particular have individual reactions to products that are not inherently toxic and fine for healthy people and 2) if you have MCS always, always, always test materials before making a large purchase like this.
I can’t tell you what you are going to tolerate. All the healthy, nontoxic flooring I know of is on this blog or Debra’s List. You’ll need to do your own testing to find out what you tolerate.
The one material I know that I would consider to be the safest would be ceramic tile. See Q&A: Safe tile grout and backerboard for safe installation.
All that said, readers with MCS, do you have any suggestions of flooring you have tolerated that she might tolerate too?
