Home Depot Phasing Out Toxic PFAS Chemicals in Carpets & Rugs

Home Depot just announced they will be phasing out toxic PFAS chemicals from all carpeting & rugs purchased in their stores by end of 2019. Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are very problematic to the health of humans and our planet, so we are very pleased Home Depot has taken this vow to protect its consumers. You’ve trusted Mamavation to bring you topics like safest cookware, best organic mattresses, and best probiotics, now join us as we celebrate Home Depot’s latest announcement to remove dangerous PFAS chemicals from carpet!

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Perfluorinated (PFAS) Chemicals are Incredibly Toxic to Humans & The Earth

Companies producing PFAS chemicals swear by their safety and the brands that use them state the same. But these chemicals are endocrine-disrupting and extremely problematic to human health and the environment. And the worst part is they are persistent, meaning they build up and don’t go away. And because of all this, they have been linked to several health issues that your family doesn’t want.

• low sperm count
• smaller penis size
• reduction in immunity
• metabolic diseases like obesity & diabetes
• reduced vaccination response
• ulcerative colitis
• affect the growth, learning, and behavior of infants and older children
• lower a woman’s chance of getting pregnant
• interfere with the body’s natural hormones
• increase cholesterol levels
• increase the risk of cancer like testicular, prostate and breast cancers

Conventional Carpeting & Rugs Contain Perfluorinated Chemicals That Repel Stains & Water

Perfluorinated chemicals are very ubiquitous in American homes partially because they are inside carpeting and rugs. PFAS chemicals are used for stain, grease, and water resistance. The first stain-resistant carpet came to market in 1986 called “Stainmaster carpet” and it was produced by Du Pont. In 1990, they estimated that over 400 million square yards of Stainmaster carpeting were in homes in the United States. Today, over 11 billion squares of carpet are sold per year and most of them are treated with perfluorinated chemicals. PFAS companies selling stain-resistant carpeting were produced by these infamous chemical companies.

• Stainmaster = Du Pont
• Wear-Dated with locked-in Stainblocker = Monsanto Company
• Worry Free = Allied-Signal

Over four billion pounds of carpets are annually dumped in American landfills or burned in incinerators every year. This releases pollutants into the air, water & soil which further pollutes the food we eat and water we drink. Therefore, the less PFAS we have in our homes, the better.

Home Depot Is The First Brand to Make a Pledge Phasing Out Toxic PFAS from Carpets

The great news is The Home Depot is phasing out Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) December 31, 2019 in the U.S. and Canada in carpets and rugs! Thanks to the Mind The Store Campaign with Safer Chemicals Safer Families, several retailers are changing their tune about toxic chemicals in the products inside our holmes. And we love how much they have already done to make their customers safer like reducing formaldehyde and triclosan. Here’s some examples of things they have already done:

• Paint – All interior and exterior paint sold in our U.S. stores is low or no VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds)
• Flooring – Removed vinyl flooring products containing ortho-phthalates from product assortment
• Insulation – All fiberglass insulation carries a 100% GREENGUARD Gold certification
• Cleaning – Cleaning products within our Eco Options program obtained certifications from independent third-party testers such as EPA’s Safer Choice and Cradle to Cradle
• Gardening – All stores carry local, organic vegetables and herbs

Tips On How to Avoid PFAS In Your Home

The perfluorinated chemical category is all about making things grease-proof, water-proof and stain-proof. So think about stain-proof clothing & carpeting, nonstick pans & bakeware, fast food wrappers, contaminated water, etc. And here is a list of what you can do today to start phasing out toxic PFAS in your life.

• Phase-out the nonstick cookware in your kitchen. Here are the best alternatives.
• Make sure your tooth floss doesn’t have PFAS. Here are the best brands.
• Avoid foods with packaging and make things from scratch as much as you can from home
• If you purchase disposable plates, make sure to purchase the ones without PFAS. Here’s are those selections. 
• Avoid fast food as much as possible, even the ones touting themselves as “better.” Some wrappers and cane sugar fiber bowls like the ones at Chipotle contain PFAS chemicals to repel grease & water.
• Purchase a reverse osmosis water system for your home, especially if you live close to a military base or airport.
• When purchasing furniture or carpet, decline optional treatments for stain and dirt resistance. This is where you can find safer furniture. 
• Avoid buying clothing that bears a label indicating it’s water, stain or dirt repellant
• Avoid buying personal care products with the phrase “fluoro” or “perfluoro” on the ingredient list. You’ll find this inside lotion, pressed powders, nail polish, dental floss and shaving cream.
• Dust more!  PFAS chemicals stick to dust particles so the more dust you have in your home, the more likely you will have PFAS in the air you breathe. Click here for our FREE eBook on how to clean your indoor air.