Formaldehyde in New Carpeting?

Yes you should be concerned, Take a look at this story
Six years ago, when Kelly Preston's son, Jett, was three, she and husband John Travolta were terrified when the boy suddenly became gravely ill and was rushed to the ER. "He was really lethargic," says Preston, 39. "He had a high fever and swollen lymph glands. It seemed like he had a serious flu. He had a rash all over his body. They didn't know what it was." She was stunned when she learned that her son did not have the flu, but rather had contracted a form of Kawasaki Syndrome, a rare vascular illness, reports PEOPLE. Preston says she was even more shocked when she learned that exposure to chemicals used to clean the carpets in her home caused her son's near-fatal illness. "They tell you that it's safe, and that it's okay," Preston said of the cleaning products. Determined to help other parents and spread the word about the dangers out there, Preston voluntarily teamed up with the HUD-sponsored Children's Health Environmental Coalition (CHEC). With childhood illnesses increasing in the U.S., many experts believe that commonly used chemicals can harm children and can cause non-genetic cancers, learning disabilities and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). When Jett got sick, Preston says there was little information available to her and her husband about the danger of chemical exposure to children. That is no longer the case, thanks to CHEC. On Feb. 25, the organization launched a user-friendly Web site that offers information on commonly used chemicals in the home. In addition, Preston serves on the CHEC board of directors and made a video with Olivia Newton-John last May called "Protecting Your Baby from Toxins at Home." "This story is bigger than people think it is," says Preston. "It's a hot topic and people want to know about it."

For more information on the Children's Health Environmental Coalition, visit www.checnet.org/healthehouse.com.

I would not put your baby on the carpeting at all. In addition to formaldehyde there are so many other toxic and harmful chemicals. Most carpeting also contains BPA and Phlalates. These are all hormone disruptors and can cause severe breathing issues as well. Make sure that that room is very well ventilated.

The best source of information is the Environmental Working Group- www.ewg.org.
In great health

T.
Detox Cocah

I don't know about formaldehyde in carpeting, but I do know the chemicals they use to make it stain-proof are not good for kids. As well as all the little carpet fibers that float around in the air for a while after new carpet is installed. There are many aspects of new carpeting that could have an effect on your son.

You just alerted me to something I had never thought about. I googled "new carpet breathing problems" and got a lot of results. I am glad you asked but now a little fearful as we are getting new carpet next week.

I never even thought that this was something to be concerned about. We got new carpet throughout our house last year and thankfully my children seem fine. I can tell you the new carpet "shed" for a VERY long time. I would certianly use a blanket for tummy time and vaccum often to get rid of the fibers that will shed.

I would find the manufacurer's name of the carpet, and then do a google. I can say from my own personal experience that I had a terrible time with allergies and coughing when I moved to my home three years back, as well as working in a brand new building. I noticed I felt particularily awful on the days I worked. Well, since moving to an old home with wood floors, and not currently working, my cough has pretty much stopped, as has most of my other allergy like symptoms. I am also extremely sensitive to things, always have been. So it could just be coincidence. All the same, I's check it out. My daughter never seemed to be botherd by the new carpet, but I will say that my son's coughing has eased up as well since moving. Hope this helps.