I would like to install wall-to-wall carpeting in my home, but I have heard that new carpets can be dangerous to my family’s health because they outgas toxic fumes. Are organic carpets available?

According to the Journal of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine, many studies have reported that over 200 chemicals are outgased from new carpets. Symptoms such as nausea, aggravated asthma, nervous-system disorders, and chest pains have been linked to exposure to certain chemicals commonly used in manufacturing synthetic carpeting. Aside from the potential dangers of chemical exposure, some indoor air-pollution experts do not recommend installing carpeting because carpets can accumulate dust, mold, and dust mites.

Still, I love having carpeting in my home. There is nothing like a soft carpet under your feet on a cool morning, and it can be necessary to have a soft, skid-free surface for children and pets to play. When installing carpeting in your homes, look for a natural material such as organic wool that does not contain dyes or pesticides. Wool is a wonderful material for carpets because wool carpet is nontoxic, nonallergenic, and does not encourage mold growth. For more information, check out http://www.nontoxic.com.