New Federal Health Guidelines Acknowledge Carpet’s Positive Impact on IAQ

DALTON, Ga.—March 5, 2021—Federal health guidelines regarding asthma and allergies have been updated to reflect the latest research, which shows that carpet does not harm and can actually improve indoor air quality. The “2020 Focused Updates to the Asthma Management Guidelines,” were released December 3, 2020 by the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH’s) National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). The NHLBI guidelines no longer recommend 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 NHLBI 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. The preponderance of research indicates that carpet has 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.

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.