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Suntouch Warmwire Wants To Know: What Are Your Carpets Hiding?

SunTouch WarmWire customers often turn to SunTouch WarmWire radiant floor heat because they want comfortable floors. Before floor heating, many customers try to get comfortable floors by opting for wall-to-wall carpeting. Unfortunately, many customers realize only too late how toxic carpeting can be. If you are wavering between carpets or radiant heating, just consider what carpets can hide:

1) p-Dichlorobenzene. Most new carpets contain this known carcinogen which has also been found to cause hallucinations, nerve damage and respiratory ailments. This is just one of the “volatile organic compounds” (VOC's) that new carpets contain. Others include styrene, acetone, toluene, benzene, formaldehyde, ethyl benzene, and many others.

2) 4-PC. This chemical gives new carpets that pleasant "new carpet smell." Unfortunately, this completely unnecessary chemical has also been linked to eye, nose and upper respiratory problems.

3) Mothproofing chemicals. These chemicals – designed to protect your carpet -- often contain naphthalene, which is very dangerous for newborns and can produce allergic reactions in adults as well.

4) Fire retardants. These chemicals often contain PBDEs, which are associated with damage of the thyroid, immune system and brain development functions.

5) Mold and bacteria. Many older carpets contain at least some mold or bacteria, since thick insulation under the carpet will often trap moisture, creating perfect conditions for bacteria and mold to grow.

6) Toxic chemicals and pesticides brought into the home. The EPA has found that 80% of human exposure to pesticides occurs indoors, and the culprit seems to be carpeting. We track pesticides indoors on our shoes, and once in the carpets, the chemicals can stay there for years. Similarly, if you varnish something, paint something, or smoke indoors, the toxins will settle into your carpet and become trapped there.

7) Dust and dirt. Even with very advanced vacuums, your carpets will trap dust, allergens, dust mites and more.

For homeowners concerned about air quality, radiant heat is obviously a better option. With radiant floor heat you can get rid of your carpets and all their toxins and install a non-toxic form of flooring that is easy to clean and supports you in maintaining your health. At the same time, electric floor heating systems gently heat your hardwood floors or hard surface floors and make them as cozy as carpet – just far healthier. If you simply cannot live without carpeting, radiant floor heating systems can at least dry out your carpet and can discourage mold and bacteria from growing, leaving you with fewer toxins in your home. The real payoff of radiant floor heat systems, though, is the cozy warmth and high-quality floors you can enjoy.