Recent work has demonstrated that carpet serves as an important reservoir for microbes and, because the relative humidity in the carpet pile can be elevated above levels in surrounding areas, they can support microbial growth. This growth is often composed of species containing known allergens, and resuspension from carpets can be a substantial source of human exposure.
Additionally, carpet can have important implications for chemistry in the indoor environment. It provides a large surface area to potentially support surface reactions. It may also be a source of chemicals from both coatings (such as stain resistance compounds) and from cleaning products that are applied. It is largely unknown how carpets affect indoor chemistry overall.
There are many stakeholders related to carpet. These include researchers studying the chemistry and microbiology of the indoor environment, carpet manufacturers, carpet cleaners, epidemiologists, and individuals concerned about chemical exposures and health. It is important to bring these stakeholders together to develop a common language and identify important research questions for future work. The implications for both human health and future building design decisions will be made apparent.