Textiles and IAQ

Major problems with textiles
Pollutants associated with textiles
Preventing indoor air problems from textiles

Major Problems With Textiles

There are two major problems with textiles regarding indoor air pollution:

• They serve as fleecy materials in which indoor air pollutants, both chemical and biological, are trapped and re-released into the air.

• They may be treated with chemicals themselves that can get into the air. Fabrics made of natural/synthetic fibers are often made of or treated with chemicals for greater strength, permanent press, fire-retardancy, and water resistancy and to repel soil and dirt. Formaldehyde makes up the greatest proportion of the emissions from fabrics/fabric treatments, though over 120 other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have also been identified.

Textiles may be found in:

• Curtains

• Drapes

• Carpet

• Upholstered furniture

• Clothing

• Bedding

Pollutants Associated With Textiles

Here are some of the pollutants that have been associated with textiles¹:

• Permanent press treatments, such as those found in draperies, contain formaldehyde and/or sulfur dioxide.

• Stain resistant treatments may contain solvents such as fluorocarbons, formaldehyde, and acetone.

• Stain repellants include silicones, acrylic co-polymers, and fluorochemicals.

• Flame-retardants may include brominated hydrocarbons and borated phosphates.

• Upholstery material may have a backfilling of cornstarch, talc, china clay and/or tallow to increase weight, bulk and hiding power.

• Soil retardants may include colloidal silica-based products, fluorochemicals, colloidal metallics, and acrylic co-polymers.

• Anti-static treatments include cationic detergents (fabric softeners) and colloidal metallics.

• Anti-microbials, bacteriocides and deodorants include tributylin maleate, bonded quaternary ammonium chloride compounds, phenolics, and other deodorants. High levels of ozone are often used to remove odors from furnishings and from building materials, especially after a fire or flood. Deodorizers may be used as masking agents to hide odors; odor absorbents such as carbon may be used.

• Formaldehyde is used as a solvent in the dyeing of textiles, as well as other textile processes.

• Solvents may be used to remove grease and oily stains. These include 1,1,1 trichloroethane, benzene, perchloroethylene, carbon tetrachloride, gasoline, varsol, fluorocarbons, and methyl chloride.

• Various cleaning agents, shampoos, and dry foams.

• Dust mites, which are usually found in mattresses, upholstered furniture, carpets, draperies, and other fleecy or fluffy materials.

•  Mold and mildew. Fabrics vary in their natural resistance to mildew (fungi). If drapes are by windows with condensation problems then they can absorb large amounts of moisture upon which the mold can grow.

Prventing Indoor Air Problems From Textiles

Here are some tips to help limit indoor air quality problems from textiles:

• Buy fabrics that are not made or treated with hazardous chemicals. Some textile manufacturers have developed biodegradable fabrics that are made without toxic chemicals. One of these companies uses their fabric to upholster furniture. Since textile scraps are not allowed in landfills in Switzerland, an advantage to these biodegradable scraps is that they can be made into felt and sold to Swiss farmers for use as crop insulation.²

• Minimize the amount of textiles or "fleecy" material you have in your home or office. This includes having only the amount of clothes you need in the closet. Buy furniture that is not upholstered and minimize window treatments since they can collect dust. Have hard wood or linoleum floors instead of carpeting.

• Keep humidity levels between 40 percent and 60 percent to discourage the growth of mold and dust mites.

• Clean or wash these materials regularly in order to prevent pollutants from building up in them.

• Purchase and use non-formaldehyde emitting and low-VOC emitting materials (see www.greenguard.org).

1. Franke D, Northeim C, Black M. Furnishing and the indoor environment. Journal of the Textile Institute. 1994;85(4):496-504.

2. Litvan, LM. Designing the future. Nation's Business. May 1996.