Beware of Some Pleasing Odours

Many of the materials you use around your homes and businesses are steadily destroying your health like styrene often woven into the finished carpet as well as some fire retardants. These two are particular bad with styrene a suspected carcinogen while fire retardants cause thyroid problems.

There are, however, a number of ways protect yourself and your family -- at least partially -- from these hazards. One is to buy carpets or rugs made from products like hemp or wool. Another way to buy carpeting that is Green Label Plus Certified according to The Province.com reporter Mike Holmes in his August 2, 2009 feature in The Province. Also check into the material that makes up the carpet underlay. According to Holmes there are some 13 toxic products that manufacturers could have used to make these and the carpets themselves.

And don't think your are safe just because the odor has gone away. The off-gassing or release of toxins into the air can continue long after this has disappeared. When doing your homework when checking into the best carpets and rugs to buy you might also want to plan for a good air purifier -- especially for the rooms of young children; they often suffer the most from the release of industrial toxins.