Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I was looking at carpeting made from Polypropolene and they state it's Non Toxic. Could that really be?
The Environmental Working Group classifies polypropylene as a low to moderate hazard, and many food containers, such as yogurt cups, are made from it. It is a #5 recyclable plastic.
The Environmental Working Group classifies polypropylene as a low to moderate hazard, and many food containers, such as yogurt cups, are made from it. It is a #5 recyclable plastic.
Edit: Wait, I do, I do have an area rug made of it too. It looks like a natural fibers knotted rug, but it's actually polypropylene, and I love. When a guest spilled some greasy food on it once and left a big *splat* on it, I took it to a self-service carwash and just blasted that stain out with the high pressure wand.
Polypropylene is flammable. To sell legally sell as carpet, it needs flame retardant added. Since flame retardants are considered non-toxic, you might inquire the kind used and whether that one poses risks.
I was looking at carpeting made from Polypropolene and they state it's Non Toxic. Could that really be?
Just to clarify, while Polypropylene is safe to use including as containers for drinks and food, it is the waste products that it contributes to that harm the environment.
Consider the carpet. While you wouldn't have to worry about it's affect on your health per se, you should avoid poorly made carpets because the microplastics can come loose during cleaning and become an issue in the home, especially if you have an aggressive vacuum cleaner that doesn't filter very well. The microplastics can become airborne and circulate around the home, landing on food prep surfaces, the water dishes for pets and if you have fish with uncovered tanks, in that water and there it does become a health concern.
This fleece jackets someone else spoke of are probably the worst offenders when it comes to loose microplastics. The so called "fleece" comes loose just from using the garments and it can be inhaled but it is the washing of those garments that pose the more serious risk. If you reuse the gray water from clothes washing then it is rather inconsiderate of the environment to wash those fake fleece poly garments in the washer where the discharge is into the gray water system.
In summary, the poly carpet is not toxic for its intended use.
One other thing, don't take carpets like car floor mats and such made of poly and hose them off outside because that is when the microplastics create problems as they are washed off.
I mention the above because there was a rather lively debate here about thin plastic bags and the harm from them when they break up into microplastics, this is more or less the same issue here.
Just don't keep your doors and windows open. Polypro deteriorates in sunlight.
So do the people wearing the stuff.
Some of the microplastic flys around in the air, lands in their hair if they have some or scalp if not and could deteriorate right there.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
