The Healthy Flooring Network (HFN) is stepping up its campaign against carpets and vinyl flooring.
HFN, which backs sustainably sourced timber flooring, is calling on consumers to share their bad experiences of carpets and vinyl flooring on its website at info@healthyflooring.org.
It made the move after being contacted by people concerned about asthma/allergy problems possibly related to chemicals in carpet.
In addition, it says an increasing number of writers and health correspondents are now focusing on the subject of indoor allergens and advising people to either clean carpets thoroughly or remove them.
Helen Lynn, HFN spokesperson, said: ‘People notice a smell from their carpet but are not able to get the information from the manufacturers about what’s in them.’
On the website people can provide details such as whether they have reacted to the chemical smell of new carpet or vinyl and whether they have changed to smooth floors (including wood) and noticed a difference.
During the past year HFN has targeted schools, local authorities, politicians, retailers and property developers to warn them of what it calls the dangers of carpets and vinyl floors.
British Carpet Foundation spokesperson Rupert Anton countered with the news that it would release a ‘paper’ in the next few weeks showing benefits of carpets.
It favours anti-allergenic smooth flooring, including ceramic, linoleum and wood, provided the latter is from certified sustainable sources.
