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New research has found toxic chemicals in carpets produced and sold by some of the largest carpet manufacturers on the European market. These chemicals include suspected carcinogens, endocrine disruptors and reprotoxics that could both pose a health risk and prevent the industry moving towards a non-toxic circular economy.
Based on research by the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (Netherlands), the Ecology Center (US) and the University of Notre Dame (US), the report, Testing for Toxics: How chemicals in European carpets are harming health and hindering circular economy, presents the results of testing of carpet samples from the seven largest manufacturers in the EU, including Milliken, Forbo, Interface, Tarkett and Associated Weavers.
The investigation found phthalates in three carpets – two in carpets produced by Forbo and one in a carpet produced by Associated Weavers. Among them was the phthalate DEHP, which is an endocrine disruptor that has been banned in the EU since 2015, but is still allowed in recycled PVC, showcasing inconsistent regulations for virgin and recycled materials.
Two carpets produced by Milliken were found to contain TDCPP, a chlorinated flame retardant that is classified by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) as a suspected carcinogen. One Milliken carpet also contained a number of fluorinated stain repellants (PFASs), including one which is a suspected carcinogen and one which is suspected to be a reprotoxic substance and an endocrine disruptor.
The report builds upon previous research which highlighted the possible presence of over 50 toxic substances in European carpets and exposed potential loopholes in EU regulations and in voluntary certification schemes. The new findings reveal the real-life impacts these policy gaps could have on vulnerable groups, such as babies and small children. For example, certain hazardous substances, such as halogenated flame retardants, are strictly regulated under the Toys Safety Directive, but they are permitted in and were detected in carpets samples tested for this report.
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