Clean It Up
UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: gwrightson on December 31, 2013, 03:23:19 pm
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I remember a few years ago that a programme of testing was embarked apon in Sweden,
these tests took place over a 6 year period , they were to determine the affects and differences of allergy sufferers in relation to carpets v laminate .
The results were quite suprising to a number of people !!! believe it or not carpeting been much better for sufferers than hard floors, Having read the reasons I can see why, explaining to others is a little more difficult ::)roll .
I did have a graph with results on my computer somewhere, alas i cannot find it .
Does any body happen to have same or a link to the site ? where i could download .
Geoff
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Not got link but graph is on ere
https://m.facebook.com/pages/Dirtbusters-Carpet-Cleaning-Liverpool/275143265881837?id=275143265881837&refsrc=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fpages%2FDirtbusters-Carpet-Cleaning-Liverpool%2F275143265881837&_rdr
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Thanks dave
but cant find it there :)
Geoff
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Scroll down a bit
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Related article...
http://www.floordaily.net/flooring-news/Article.aspx?article=23595
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Geoff, there are 3 links in this article, hope it helps.
http://clean-pro.co.uk/Carpet_Cleaning_Blog.htm#Hard_Flooring_Worse_for_Allergies
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Slightly off topic, but some years ago there was the Allerg-stop network/products.
Are these still available, I remember someone saying the room spray was very good for asthma sufferers, and the missus is having problems at moment, more so at night.
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Tell her you've got some special cream for her throat.
I remember the most natural room spray to reduce air Bourne triggers is a dilution of tea tree oil sprayed up in the air and left to settle.
Shaun
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I have had Asthma and Allergy's since I was born and I can tell you those studies are a load of rubbish. Its probably likely that a allergy sufferers tend to have more hard floors rather than carpets. Just because they have hard floors it doesn't mean it is the cause of their problems.
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I don't think anyone is saying hard floor are a cause of allergy, but that that they don't help in keeping the problem trapped at floor level which carpet will.
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I have had Asthma and Allergy's since I was born and I can tell you those studies are a load of rubbish. Its probably likely that a allergy sufferers tend to have more hard floors rather than carpets. Just because they have hard floors it doesn't mean it is the cause of their problems.
Its not rubbish it was a proper study carried out in Sweden over many years in public buildings..
It proved conclusively that having properly maintained fitted carpets was more beneficial to asthma suffers than hard surfaces......
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Rubbish!
Is a bit like saying 90% of people allergic to cats don't own a cat. Obvious, why punish yourself!
The evidence would suggest owning a cat is better for you than not owning a cat. Is that true?
A properly maintained carpet will still hold allergens and even breed allergens even at regular maintenance intervals: eg, your skin cells renew themselves they fall off get trapped by the carpet and dust mites feed of them their poo becomes an allergen which exists in the carpet, pillow, mattress, sofa etc etc. A properly maintained hard floor will hold ....... no allergens as it flat and impervious. It can also be wiped clean on a daily basis if need be, not every year or two years like carpet.
Why was the study conducted? Who was the study conducted by? http://www.floordaily.net/flooring-news/Article.aspx?article=23595 (http://www.floordaily.net/flooring-news/Article.aspx?article=23595) Shaw Industries, they are not likely to say other wise are they.
The article even contradicts its self: it said....
"After cleaning the carpets, a meaningful reduction in allergens occurred in the carpet and the surrounding air, Shaw said."
If the air quality was improved after cleaning the carpet was obviously impacting on the air quality in the firs place.
Im all for carpets and carpet cleaning but this study makes no sense. Where is the logic?
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Some other information;
http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9&sub=18&cont=231 (http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9&sub=18&cont=231)
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/allergies/in-depth/allergy/art-20049365 (http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/allergies/in-depth/allergy/art-20049365)
http://www.allergystore.com/best-flooring-allergies.htm (http://www.allergystore.com/best-flooring-allergies.htm)
im sure there are many more..
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Some other information;
http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9&sub=18&cont=231 (http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9&sub=18&cont=231)
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/allergies/in-depth/allergy/art-20049365 (http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/allergies/in-depth/allergy/art-20049365)
http://www.allergystore.com/best-flooring-allergies.htm (http://www.allergystore.com/best-flooring-allergies.htm)
im sure there are many more..
Your quite right there are, cant be bothered to list them all so just go here:
http://www.canadiancarpet.org/carpet_and_health/air_quality/scientific_studies.php
To me its blindingly obvious that having a hard floor would aggravate air borne allergies especially in children
and I have always recommended sufferers to install carpets and then to keep them maintained.
And I think you are getting confused between maintained and cleaned.
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_dust_mite (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_dust_mite) note the sections on Habitat and Eradication
again... http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/childhood-asthma/expert-answers/asthma-triggers/faq-20057785 (http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/childhood-asthma/expert-answers/asthma-triggers/faq-20057785)
http://watoxics.org/files/carpet-fact-sheet (http://watoxics.org/files/carpet-fact-sheet) again note the section on dust mites.
http://watoxics.org/files/carpet-fact-sheet (http://watoxics.org/files/carpet-fact-sheet) again note the section on controll of house dust mites at home
http://www.thh.nhs.uk/documents/_Patients/PatientLeaflets/paediatrics/allergies/PI018-Dust_Mite_Allergy_A4_May13.pdf (http://www.thh.nhs.uk/documents/_Patients/PatientLeaflets/paediatrics/allergies/PI018-Dust_Mite_Allergy_A4_May13.pdf) note what the nhs states in section 5
http://www2.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef646.asp (http://www2.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef646.asp) note the section on biology and habit of this article from the university of kentucky
http://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/living/682.html (http://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/living/682.html) note step 5
http://www.sswahs.nsw.gov.au/rpa/allergy/resources/allergy/dustmiteallergy.pdf (http://www.sswahs.nsw.gov.au/rpa/allergy/resources/allergy/dustmiteallergy.pdf) note the section on carpets
[urlhttp://www.lung.org/healthy-air/home/resources/dust-mites-and-dust.html][/url] note the section on how dust mites can be eliminated
http://www.lung.org/healthy-air/home/resources/dust-mites-and-dust.html (http://www.lung.org/healthy-air/home/resources/dust-mites-and-dust.html) an interesting article on the dangers of carpet its self
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Allergies/Pages/Prevention.aspx (http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Allergies/Pages/Prevention.aspx) nhs again
http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20307345_3,00.html (http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20307345_3,00.html)
Im bored now...
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All that crap above is linked to organisations with a vested interest in allergy products or funding issues.
By the way I know for a fact that you can improve the indoor air quality and hence better quality of life due to allergens ,using my own little great nieces as an example...Once I had finally convinced my niece to rip out the rubbish laminate flooring she had and install a good quality carpet the children's illness's which they seem to have on an endless basis, miraculously disappeared.
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All that crap above is linked to organisations with a vested interest in allergy products or funding issues.
By the way I know for a fact that you can improve the indoor air quality and hence better quality of life due to allergens ,using my own little great nieces as an example...Once I had finally convinced my niece to rip out the rubbish laminate flooring she had and install a good quality carpet the children's illness's which they seem to have on an endless basis, miraculously disappeared.
got to agree completly, i did exactly same for my neice, and at this moment persuading a good friend, hence my post.
Geoff
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A few years ago there was a survey done, again in Sweden, that purported to prove exactly the opposite- that hard floors were the only way to go for allergy sufferers.
It was carried out by a professor of something on behalf of the Hard Flooring institute or something like that.
The professor was the wife of... the president of said institute.
You can't believe a word......
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Why would health care organisations have a vendetta against Carpet. How would they profit? What would be their motive other than the health of the people they are giving the advice to?
If you believe that is a conspiracy there is no hope?
From a life's time of experience having allergies and being around people with the same problems I can truthfully say having hard flooring makes a real difference to asthma and allergy's.
Why would I disagree with the studies which say other wise? After all I am a carpet cleaner myself. The fact of the matter is if you create a habitat for allergens to live in your home it will have an detrimental impact on indoor air quality, If you remove that habitat it improves air quality.
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Robin you are talking through you back side.
This is not a new thing at all. In the 80's I was the buyer for a retail group and as hard floors took off a lot earlier than here in the Scandinavian countries, their manufacturers were marketing a lot in the uk. Back then I was reading medical reports about the increase in bronical and other problems there.
It is basic common sense anybody who has a hard floor can see the dust etc moving around on it. carpets do filter these particles from the air. Over the years I have advised many with allergies to put carpet back down in their bedrooms etc, with an improvement seen in many cases.
In another instance when we had a sign writing business we had a problem with dust contamination on prints with our digital printer and this was alleviated by carpeting the print room.
Obviously manufacturers are going to try and bias research to their favour but common sense and sight can be used.
There were instance in the past of some of the rot proofers and other chemicals used in carpet manufacturing (such as fameldahyde) triggering health issues (allegies, sick building syndrome etc) and other problems but since the discontinuation of these it is no longer an issues.
It is also a fact that carpets are the cheapest to maintain product in the vast majority of commercial applications.
Peter
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If i am talking through my backside then the NHS and, Asthma organisations along with 99% of heath care professionals are also.
Who should an Asthma or allergy sufferer believe? Their health care specialist or their carpet cleaner?
If it was your health who would you choose?
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I think whether you have a hard floor or a soft floor, if they are kept dust free every day then there wont be any issues from either of them. So everyone is right.
In reality though this of course doesn't happen, and so those days that neither of them are vacuumed/cleaned etc then the carpet will 'hold' the particles in place - for longer, as opposed to a hard floor. Just my opinion.
With neglect all surfaces will give an allergy sufferer symptoms , and this can cloud some peoples opinions on whats right and whats wrong for allergy sufferers.
p.s. I have had asthma all my life and feel I speak from experience. I am allergic to dust mite feaces (well the proteases in the feaces I think it is - as opposed to the actual poo).
p.p.s. I'm not taking any sides or being biased, just thought I would post my thoughts thats all. Good debate!
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This is where the misconceptions begin.
If you look carefully at a hard floor dust is visible on it, but what about the things that the eye cannot see. Dust mite poo is said to be one of the most common causes of asthma. Trying to contain that with a brush is a bit like trying to collect sand with a lot of flexible cricket bats and your conception that brushing a hard floor will overcome this problem is an indication of your understanding of the problem.
Even the use of a vacuum cleaner on a hard surface is less effective as the micro particles trapped within a carpet are airborne and dispersed before the suction can grab hold.
Believe me people do not buy hard flooring with the view that they are going to have to brush it every, day they are buying it so they do not have to vacuum. When you speak to them about these misconceptions it is quite clear.
You can get away with a lot less maintenance on a carpet without the risks to health that exist with a hard floors spills vomit urine etc excepted.
Peter
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Just to add a point. All hard floor manufacturers make a point of regular brushing with a soft brush, this is for the removal of grit more than anything else. The abrasive nature of grit under peoples feet it the greatest risk of damage to a hard surface and is the reason for barrier matting etc in commercial locations. Many people associate the advice as something else.
Peter
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Any surface will require some form of maintenance and for the allergy or asthma sufferer this should be much more frequent. This is where I find hard floors to be of great benefit they are easy to regularly vac then wipe with a damp micro fiber mop leaving no dust. This is where many imo fall down as their hard floor or carpets look like the wild west with tumble weed like fluff balls blowing around. (this doesn't happen if you actually clean!)
Granted I probably don't do my self any flavors cleaning up other peoples crud..
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Does not matter how regular you clean a hard floor, ten times a day if you like, the allergens have nothing to adhere to and will be constantly airborne, simply walking through a room or opening a door will kick them up.
A carpet whilst not the being able to trap it all will certainly improve the situation for sufferers as the tests have shown,, Allergy UK have a lot to answer for in the way they have put a lot of false information out there on behalf of any organisation that is prepared to write a cheque out for them.
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So the collective knowledge and advice of 99% of the worlds heath care professionals rests on some back handers from the hard floor company's, many of which also sell carpet
I didn't realize there was such a conspiracy ;D.
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Asthma sufferers should just man up & stop being so wimpy, we all know allergies are just in the mind ::)roll it's not as if it's a real illness
I remember it from my school days........
".... Ohhh nurse my eyes itch and my nose is runny, can I be excused Cross-country today?"
Usually said by the fat kid sucking on his inhaler
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There were 1,143 deaths from asthma in the UK in 2010
Until you have tried tried to live without air you tend to take it for granted.
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So the collective knowledge and advice of 99% of the worlds heath care professionals rests on some back handers from the hard floor company's, many of which also sell carpet
I didn't realize there was such a conspiracy ;D.
99% where did you get that from or did you just makes it up.?
and there is absolutely an agenda.
Mike, I take it you are just trying to be controversial......
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I was aiming for humour.... but will settle for controversial :D :D
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London is more or less clear of toxic waist they made me sell my van! :o
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99% of statistics are just made up by people who do not know what they are talking about.
Peter
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If you took the time to read the information I have posted you will notice that it is heath care industry standard to recommend hard flooring rather than carpet for asthma sufferers. (Hence 99%)
The fact of the matter is no matter what I say and no matter what evidence I put before you it will not change what you think or believe. That really doesn't matter because you are a hand full of carpet cleaners and the vast majority of people in the wider world (and there is life outside CIU) know that hard flooring is better for asthma sufferers.
Here is another health problem you probably will have trouble understanding exists and will probibly have trouble understanding how to treat. Have fun.. http://www.ehow.com/how_4500820_overcome-internet-forum-addiction.html (http://www.ehow.com/how_4500820_overcome-internet-forum-addiction.html)
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http://uplandsteam.com/10-year-study-carpet-vs-hardwood-floors-health-issues
http://www.canadiancarpet.org/carpet_and_health/air_quality/scientific_studies.php
http://www.desso.com/news-events/news-overview/2013/12/new-extensive-european-study-shows-fine-dust-deadlier-than-previously-thought-fine-dust-reducing-carpet-can-ease-health-problems-caused-by-fine-dust-in-the-indoor-air/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15118744
People by google-ing the subject can see the amount of evidence supporting carpets. The evidence that I have viewed has always supported my views that I have made through observations made whilst spent in the commercial flooring sector, as well as the experience in my own in the digital print markets etc. This advice has also been passed onto other people, both in floor specification and to other printers and people with allergies, the result being positive and endorsing my opinions.
Both the carpet manufacturers and the hardfloor manufacturers are guilty of trying to bias the research and this again is something I have seen at first hand. As somebody who sees things at a microscopic level as well, I see the argument as common sense in value to carpeting. With research and comparisons one does not know whether the same care of cleaning is taken in one building to another so there are bound to be some errors. Humidity levels etc will also have bearing on results reached.
Peter
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If you took the time to read the information I have posted you will notice that it is heath care industry standard to recommend hard flooring rather than carpet for asthma sufferers. (Hence 99%)
The fact of the matter is no matter what I say and no matter what evidence I put before you it will not change what you think or believe. That really doesn't matter because you are a hand full of carpet cleaners and the vast majority of people in the wider world (and there is life outside CIU) know that hard flooring is better for asthma sufferers.
Here is another health problem you probably will have trouble understanding exists and will probibly have trouble understanding how to treat. Have fun.. http://www.ehow.com/how_4500820_overcome-internet-forum-addiction.html (http://www.ehow.com/how_4500820_overcome-internet-forum-addiction.html)
I understand it perfectly and you are quite right no'evidence' you have put forward will convince me otherwise as its flawed, by the way the 99% still does not work
Oh and by virtue of the 'fact' that you have looked up internet addiction, 'proves' that 'you' have a problem,
it clearly did not help in your case but keep at it.... :P