Carpet Latex Backing
During the manufacturing of carpet, a latex backing is applied to give the carpet its dimensional stabilityEven that “new carpet smell” is from the chemical 4-PC, a by-product of the latexAlthough this step of the manufacturing process is vital in the production of carpet, the latex backing being applied can cause many problems for those who suffer from latex allergiesRepeated exposure to latex, such as the latex used in your home’s carpet, can trigger allergic reactions if you have a high sensitivity level to latexSymptoms of an allergic reaction caused by latex include:
Vytex® Natural Rubber Latex (NRL) is an innovative raw material with significantly reduced levels of the allergy-causing proteins commonly found in natural rubber latexIt was designed as a “drop in” material and integrates seamlessly into manufacturing operations that currently use NRL or synthetic substitutes without additional capital investment or equipmentThis development means that carpets can be manufactured with this new material and retain all of the desirable qualities of latex, with the added benefit of substantially reduced protein levelsThese reduced levels substantially decrease the risk of developing allergic reactions to latex.
If you or someone you know has experienced an allergic reaction and think it’s from the latex backing in carpet, contact your physician about your concerns and consider being tested for latex allergy