CA Toxics Agency Warns Of Harmful Chemicals In Carpets And Rugs

CALIFORNIA — A California agency this week started requiring manufacturers of carpets and rugs to consider safer alternatives to a group of commonly used toxic chemicals that have been linked to serious health issues.

The chemicals in question — perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances — specifically pose a risk to children when used in carpets and rugs because they often spend more time on the floor and put their fingers in their mouths, the California Department of Toxic Substances Control said in a statement.

These substances are mostly found in carpets and rugs that are designed to repel soil and stains. Often called "forever chemicals" since they don't easily break down, have commonly been found in the bodies of nearly every human that participated in the agency's study, officials said. These chemicals can also be passed to babies through the placenta and through breast milk.

"PFASs are some of the most persistent toxic chemicals in existence," said Meredith Williams, DTSC director. "Using them in carpets and rugs is of particular concern because so many homes and offices have them as floor coverings, subjecting many people to prolonged exposure every day."

Under a new regulation that took effect on Thursday, carpet and rug manufacturers will be urged to find alternatives to these chemicals, which have been linked to liver and kidney problems, cancers and disruption to hormone function.

"This action is a major step forward in the Department’s mission to protect Californians from harmful chemicals in the environment and in the products they purchase and use," Williams said.