The top three reasons to say good-bye to shag

Carpet: we love it and we hate it. It's soft and warm underfoot, but it's also possibly one of the worst culprits when it comes to indoor air pollution. Today, over 70 percent of the floors in America are covered by carpet. Here are the top three reasons you might consider replacing that shag with something healthier:

Adhesives—In your average carpet installation, adhesives are spread across the entire prepared surface, leading to intense exposure to toxic VOCs.

Latex backing—SB Latex backing, which is present in 95 percent of carpets, contains styrene. Styrene is a known toxin and suspected carcinogen.

Allergens and Pollutants—While new carpet may emit higher levels of harmful VOCs, older carpets aren't any better for you. Carpet is what the American Lung Association calls a "sink." As in, all kinds of gross stuff in the air "sinks" into it and stays there. Dust, dust mites, pesticides, VOCs, mold and mildew—all of it, potentially living in your carpet.

Image Jyn Meyer, www.sxc.hu