[Carpeting and air pollution?].

After some introductory remarks concerning the frequency of the usage of textile floor-coverings from 1970 to 1979, the manufacturing processes and the composition of these coverings are briefly discussed with special regard to components which may pollute indoor air. As the back of the carpeting may be considered to be a source for air pollution, the composition of the most wide-spread coatings is given. Some difficulties in evaluating these data are due to the fact that it is difficult to analyze odours. During the last years the question of contamination of the air in kindergartens, schools and hospitals due to the use of carpets has been discussed. The results of different investigations which consider carpets to be the reason for either a decrease or an increase of the concentration of microorganisms in indoor air, are presented. Important criteria for evaluation are the frequency of use and the quality, intensity and frequency of cleaning. House-dust allergies are also discussed in relation to textile floor-coverings. The conclusion is drawn that a carefully manufactured carpet, when suitably used and well entertained, hardly adds to indoor air pollution.