Pregnant, new carpet and off-gassing
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Anonymous
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We have a 2 yr old and I am due in about 5 weeks and we just got new carpet installed today in the basement so my parents can visit and stay in the basement and help after baby #2 comes. I am not a happy camper though because it smells. My husband doesn't even seem to notice the smell but I can smell it coming up through the vents even though I shut the door to the basement.
Is off-gassing carpet bad for the baby? Or me? Am I being silly? I am hormonal! |
Anonymous
| Do what you can to minimize exposure (don't sleep in the basement, air out the basement during the day by opening windows, have DH vacuum it daily) but don't go crazy. There's only so much you can do. |
Anonymous
| Is off-gassing a real word? |
Anonymous
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Thanks 20:28. DH just told me to relax.
Yes, off-gassing is a real word. |
Anonymous
| Can you run fans, OP? The fumes should dissipate, and probably aren't too bad if your husband can't smell them. |
Anonymous
| DH never smells anything - haha. But fans are a great idea, PP! Thanks so much! |
Anonymous
| Don't forget, you are smelling the fumes with your pregnant lady super sniffer. It could be not as bad as you think... |
Anonymous
| I agree that you are probably more sensitive to it. Also I wouldn't worry about the baby - it's not like you're in 1st trimester when things are beginning to grow and develop. I'd be paranoid and upset in your shoes but as a non-hormonal outsider just air it out and it'll be ok... |
Anonymous
| I would suggest using an air purifier in the basement, you can get portable units that you plug in. We have done that when we got some painting done and there was an odor. But you did realize before you ordered the carpet that most new carpet reeks for a few weeks/months, right? I remember when my office got new carpet, it smelled very strong for awhile. I think a lot of the smell is because of the adhesives in the carpet backing. |
Anonymous
If it eases your mind, most (all?) modern carpet is low voc. |
Anonymous
| Air it out and don't let the 2 year old crawl on it. |
Anonymous
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OP here. I think it is these ---- hormones. I am not normally a worrier. 22:51 - the air purifier is an excellent idea. Thank you so much. I think I will get one and put it in the basement!
I woke up with a sore throat and my eyes burn but I emailed the carpet guy last night (yep - I did)  and both the carpet and cushion underneath have green label plus certification for indoor air quality and low VOCs.
This gives me a new appreciation for folks that deal with anxiety all the time. I at least hope my anxiety goes back to pre-pregnancy levels soon! |