Asthma cannot be cured, but with good management people with asthma can lead normal, active lives... Asthma first aid (video) Avoiding asthma triggers. Did you know that the first week of September is National Asthma Week?. Although all care has been taken, this brochure is only a general guide; it is not a substitute for individual medical advice/treatment. Before you update your flooring, you should know the pros and cons of the two most common options – hardwood and carpet. © National Asthma Council Australia 2016. Hard-surface flooring such as vinyl, tile or wood is much easier to keep free of dust mites, pollen, pet dander and other allergens. The cushioning layer under carpets and timber flooring is made of different materials including rubber, latex (releases VOC 4-phenylcyclohexene) felt, jute, cork, and foam. Opening the windows and letting in lots of fresh air, together with temperature and humidity control, significantly reduces dust mite populations. Wash concrete floors and walls with a solution of bleach and water (see above). To browse the full range at Choices Flooring head here. Timber or tiles? The problem is their faecal pellets which, when inhaled, can trigger asthma attacks in sensitised individuals. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America 1235 South Clark Street Suite 305, Arlington, VA 22202 Phone: 1-800-7-ASTHMA (1-800-727-8462) Phone: 1-800-7-ASTHMA (1-800-727-8462) Research in Germany showed that the average level of fine particles, including allergens, in the indoor atmosphere above carpeted floors was 30.4ug/m3. The live dust mite is NOT the issue. Asthma triggers are substances, conditions or activities that lead to symptoms of asthma.Asthma symptoms include difficulty breathing, coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. National Asthma Council Australia. Carpets can trap allergens in their pile, while hard floors allow the … Stains. Some sources say people with asthma and allergies should replace carpet with hard flooring, but this isn’t always the best option. Combining the perfect combination of softness and durability with the colourfast qualities of solution dyed nylon. Ceramic and porcelain tiles don’t give off or absorb chemicals, but it’s important to consider the glue and grout. Natural materials are less likely to emit VOCs, although it’s important to think about all the parts of a product including coatings, glues, and backings. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America 1235 South Clark Street Suite 305, Arlington, VA 22202 Phone: 1-800-7-ASTHMA (1-800-727-8462) Phone: 1-800-7-ASTHMA (1-800-727-8462) Above smooth floors, the average was 62.9ug/m3. Inside, choose smooth surface flooring and furniture that is easily damp-mopped or dusted. This Carpet Underlay has been treated with Dunlop Fresh-Living which provides proven effective control of bacteria, mould, mildew and fungi whilst also helping to control dust mites which may assist in the prevention of asthma and other allergies. You Can Help Stop Asthma Attacks. Carpet does not increase the incidence or severity of asthma or allergies, in either adults or children. Each person's asthma is set off by certain pollutants or allergy-causing substances (allergens). Fact Indoor allergy triggers include dust mites and mold, as well as pollen tracked in from outdoors, all of which can affect the air quality inside your home. But allergens and particles can be easily cleaned from hard surface flooring. Washington, DC (November 10, 2020) – The asthma & allergy friendly® Certification Program, which is jointly run by Allergy Standards Limited (ASL) and the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America is pleased to be taking part in the virtual Greenbuild International Conference & Expo taking place November 10 – 12, 2020, the Largest Annual Event for Green Building Professionals Worldwide. Engineered timber for example, is a laminate that is glued together, and this glue may off-gas VOCs. This is because carpet may harbor pollutants, such as dust mites, pollen, animal dander, and other allergens. During the last decade, the age-standardised rate of hospitalisations for asthma for children aged 0–14 decreased overall, falling from 542 per 100,000 population in 2009–10 to 363 per 100,000 population in 2017–18. Well maintained carpet is safe.”. It's important to learn the advantages and disadvantages of both when shopping for new flooring when you have asthma and allergies. Wool and Triexta carpets supply even more hypoallergenic properties. Use: Residential Width: 1.8m & 3.6m Wear Layer: 0.25mm - 0.50. In the case of house dust mite sensitisation, it was formerly always recommended to remove the carpet. The asthma & allergy friendly® Certification Program is a unique, groundbreaking collaboration between the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America and Allergy Standards Limited. Permasoft Plus – Softness, durability and performance. Lino is similar to vinyl but it’s made of organic materials and is non-allergenic. Warranty: 10 year Limited Manufacturing & Wear Defects Colour may vary from actual product Rugs and wall-to-wall carpeting can hold onto allergens and irritants. Carpet also offers good insulation, allowing energy savings of approximately 4-5% and up to 10% in cold winters. Thickness: 2.5mm - 3.7 Roll Length: Variable . Carpets can trap allergens in their pile, while hard floors allow the allergens to float around. The Best Flooring for Asthma Sufferers. Regular vacuuming is essential, as well as occasional deep cleaning. Vacuuming doesn’t affect underlay as it won’t work through carpet or timber. Triexta carpeting is a green carpet sourced from corn sugar and it's great for kid and asthma sufferers. Fact Well maintained carpet is safe.” The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America agrees with the CRI: There are indeed more allergens on surfaces than in the air, but, the organization adds, the slightest movement can disturb them. These assertions are based on 43 research studies, reports and articles. ASK most allergists and they’ll tell you: for people with allergies and asthma, carpeting can be bad news. If burned, it releases toxins. Allergy associations, such as the American Lung Association and the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America (AAFA), suggest avoiding all types of … Leading scientists worldwide agree that there is no scientific evidence to support the view that the removal of carpet is beneficial to asthma sufferers. ASTM F-970 Static Load Limit: 56.6kg ASTM E-648 Floor Radiant Panel: Class 1 Certified Asthma Foundation: Asthma & Allergy Friendly . National Asthma Council Australia, 2012. Common household asthma triggers include: Dust mites, which build up in carpet, upholstery and bedding; Dander from pets such as cats, dogs and birds; Cockroaches; Indoor molds These things can easily become airborne and inhaled. Carpet acts like a sponge and soaks up most of the allergen particles. The German Allergy and Asthma Association states: “The main reservoir of mites is in the mattresses of beds. It’s important to consider what the triggers are in your home to make sure you find the most suitable product. Cleaning that leaves natural fibre carpets moist isn’t recommended as it may help mould grow. It doesn’t like mould and is easy to keep clean, but it’s important to consider the glues used as these can emit VOCs. Melbourne. Natural materials include wool, seagrass and sisal. Read more about VOCs here. Regular vacuum cleaning will remove most of the allergen from carpet. These carpets have been approved by the National Asthma Council Sensitive Choice program. Rugs may be better at trapping dust and other allergens, so we recommend vacuuming them regularly. Carpeting in the bedroom can be especially problematic because it exposes you to carpet dust throughout the night. A comprehensive study looking at carpet and its purported link to asthma and allergies by Dr M Sauerhoff covering research in the USA and around the world concludes: “Carpet does not cause asthma. Carpeting with long fibers, for instance, traps dust and dirt. Carpets with treatments that destroy fungus and mould, combined with a short pile are a better choice. Nylon is the most common man-made fibre for carpet. The German asthma foundation has even concluded that carpet retains dust better than any other flooring and as a result the indoor air is cleaner. Further habitats are textile upholstered furniture and carpet. Making decisions about the right flooring for your home can be tricky when you have asthma or allergies. Style preference is one thing, but which is best for the health of your family? New carpet is the lowest VOC-emitting flooring choice available. Sensitive Choice© is an initiative of the Some types of flooring may breed unhealthy conditions for asthma sufferers. Allow the … Timber is the most well-known natural flooring and is easy to clean. Solution dyed Nylon and Olefin carpets reduce mold and mildew and resist dirt. Cork is another natural option. Available in a variety of stylish colours the Brease range has been especially developed to be asthma and allergy friendly and is the only carpet recognised by the National Asthma Council Australia’s Sensitive Choice® program. Level 13, Tower B, 799 Pacific Highway Chatswood, NSW 2067 P: 02 9906 3233 F: 02 9906 4493 ABN: 91 609 156 630 Find out what chemicals are in the glue and padding that will go under your new carpet. Pile height, backing, and any treatments are important to consider when choosing a carpet. No. The current state of research can no longer uphold this.”. 3833797, Remember we are nationwide and all our shops have a Code of Practice which is approved by the. Brease carpet is made of solution-dyed nylon and the fibres will not shed into the air. However, some modern carpets contain products that reduce mould and dust mites, which are common asthma and allergy triggers. In Sweden, a 77% reduction in sales of carpet led to a corresponding 300% increase in asthma in the same 15 year period. Desso AirMaster Gold Plus label. Michele Cassalia | Director of Marketing, Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America . Carpeting can be a reservoir for allergy-causing substances (allergens) that trigger asthma. 2. From wine spills to muddy pet paws, carpets stain easily. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of American (AAFA), as well as the Centers for Disease C. Allergies, Asthma, Achoo! In high traffic areas, you may also like to consider a superior quality solution dyed nylon carpet like Brease, Camira. Some sources say people with asthma and allergies should replace carpet with hard flooring, but this isn’t always the best option. Easy-to-clean flooring can benefit people with asthma and allergies. Asthma and Allergy: A guide to the management of allergy for those living with asthma. These can soak up moisture, which may encourage mould. That is because they need a certain temperature (between 18 and 25C) and 60% – 70% humidity to live. Where you buy is as important as what you buy. The National Asthma Education and Prevention Program has released the 2020 Asthma Guideline Update with updated evidence-based recommendations for treatment of patients with asthma. Bedding and bedrooms are the primary location for dust mites to thrive. © The Carpet Foundation 2021 | Company Reg. According to Sensitive Choice, there are more than 2 million Australians currently living with asthma – which works out to be approximately 1 in 10 people.Compared to other countries, this is quite a high rate. Explore the 'good, better, and best' flooring options that offer low VOCs, and irritants for allergy and asthma sufferers -- along with one of the worst. If not treated quickly with carpet cleaner, liquids can soak into the padding or subfloor, leaving a lingering odor. We will point you in the direction of a group of totally independent carpet shops, local to you, who really are carpet experts. Flooring, like many building materials, can release high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during installation. In carpet, the temperature and humidity is too low. It is usually cheap, tough and easy to keep clean. The program tests and certifies products to prove their suitability for people with asthma and allergies. The line chart shows hospitalisation rates for asthma among children and adults from 2008–09 to 2017–18. Information contained in this brochure is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Here we will arm you with, hopefully, everything you need to know about buying a new carpet. Fact Seal foundation cracks, insulate your home. Untreated brick, stone and concrete can gather dust, although this is unlikely to create allergens. What the experts say about carpet and asthma They say, when it comes to allergies and asthma, carpets are harmful. ASTM F-1303: Type1.Grade 3, Class C . Which one do you think is more asthma and allergy friendly? About the asthma & allergy friendly® Certification Program. Treated to prevent the growth of bacteria, mould, mildrew and fungi, Brease carpet has been especially developed to be asthma and allergy friendly. These advanced carpets minimize the effects of mould, mildew, fungi and dust mites that grow in your carpet so that you and your family can enjoy a healthier environment. See Sensitive Choice approved carpets here. Furthermore, they do not become airborne – as they do with smooth floors – and so reduce risk of sensitisation. Vinyl is easy to clean and can offer low VOC or formaldehyde options, See Sensitive Choice approved vinyl flooring. Fact Carpet does not increase the incidence or severity of asthma or allergies, in either adults or children. Carpet can be a neutral foundation, or it can be a focal point with vibrant colors and stronger, bolder patterns, and textures. Head Office. Our Desso AirMaster carpet has been awarded a Gold Plus label by the GUI, a world first in our industry Green buildings labels. Pet dander blows around and is easier to clean off hard floors by vacuuming, mopping, steam cleaning (not on all surfaces) or using an electrostatic cloth. A comprehensive study looking at carpet and its purported link to asthma and allergies by Dr M Sauerhoff covering research in the USA and around the world concludes: “Carpet does not cause asthma. Mildew. Disclaimer. Improves Indoor Air Quality. There are over 3.8 million Canadians living with asthma in Canada, and every year an estimated 250 Canadians lose their lives to the disease. Vacuum or mop? According to the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America, approximately one out of every five people in the United States suffers from asthma or allergies. Seagrass and sisal are promoted as hypo-allergenic, as the plants they come from have anti-microbial properties, but it’s not clear whether these properties exist in the final product. All our vinyl sheet products have been certified asthma & allergy friendly by the Asthma & Allergy foundation of America . Regular cleaning with a vacuum, mop and/or electrostatic cloth keeps it clean, however a damp timber floor may grow mould. Natural fibres may absorb moisture and grow mould. Most particles that trigger allergy and asthma symptoms, like dust mites and mold spores, are airborne for a short time and then settle as dust. By supporting Asthma Canada, you fund asthma education, advocacy and research to stop asthma attacks today, and unlock a cure tomorrow. Some underlays are treated with an anti-microbial, which guards against mould growth and dust-mite dander. Brease carpet is an innovation in carpet technology. Carpet or no carpet? Asthmaban carpets were specially formulated, using advanced technologies and treatments, to cater to New Zealand’s more than 800,000 asthma and allergy sufferers. Any questions regarding a medical diagnosis or treatment should be directed to a doctor. Vinyl is a type of plastic. Making decisions about the right flooring for your home can be tricky when you have asthma or allergies. Man-made flooring is more likely to emit VOCs, however some low-VOC options are available. You can help change that. Importance Asthma is a major public health problem worldwide and is associated with excess morbidity, mortality, and economic costs associated with lost productivity.