Carpet and Rug Institute Distributing Indoor Air Quality Data to School Administrators Nationwide

Contact: CRI Communications Department, 706.428.2103

The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) is distributing the CD-ROM video as part of a multi-pronged public awareness effort called "Carpet Comes Clean."

"We want to provide school administrators with this information, along with the reliably conducted studies that support it." says CRI President Werner Braun. "We feel it will be useful for them in making decisions regarding school environments and indoor air quality."

Indoor mold has become a growing concern with school systems in various regions of the U.S., since it can - if undetected - lead to health concerns.

The video cites a study completed by HOST/Racine Industries (see "Florida Schools Study") during which six Florida schools were examined for indoor air problems. Dust-lined air ducts and plumbing leaks onto ceiling tiles were pinpointed as mold sources. The study confirmed that mold growth is not associated with a particular surface, such as carpet. It also found a strong correlation between mold growth and relative humidity between 45 and 69 percent.

"Effective operating systems and routine maintenance," says Braun, "are the keys to improving indoor air quality in schools, including scheduled checks of HVAC duct work and any potential sources of moisture build-up."

The video features results from a national survey finding 70% of teachers prefer carpeted classrooms, and further analysis confirming that carpet is 65 percent less expensive to maintain compared to non-carpeted flooring (see "A Life-Cycle Cost Analysis for Floor Coverings in School Facilities" (PDF 128 KB)").

The CD-ROM presentation being provided to school administrators includes results from extensive computational fluid dynamics modeling using super-computers to track and project the movement of dust and allergens in carpeted and non-carpeted environments. The key, according to Braun, is the number of particles remaining in the so-called "breathing zone" - the height at which an adult or child would normally inhale air to breathe.

"These studies counter the misinformation that's been all too common in the media in recent years, suggesting, without scientific support, that carpet is somehow a factor in reduced indoor air quality," says Braun. "In fact, well-maintained carpet has no adverse affect on indoor air quality."

To order copies of the CD, "Carpet: How It Affects the Indoor Air Quality - The Mold Problem," please contact CRI Publications at 706-428-2114. For more information, please contact Sally Fortenberry, 706-428-2108.