Hidden Dangers: The Problem with Rebond Carpet Padding

Paul Friederichson • September 24, 2021

Fire is every homeowner’s worst nightmare. So, it’s only natural to desire that the inside of the home to be as fire-retardant as possible. All flammable materials used in home décor and building materials, such as synthetic foam cushioning used in furniture upholstery or in carpet padding, are of concern for releasing toxic gases when burned or smoldering.


California led the way in 2000 by setting fire retardant standards for furniture and carpet padding by allowing the use of retardants such as polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) or also known as “brominated fire retardants.” This particular chemical had been around since the 1970’s and has been widely used in all sorts of foam products. Many of these products wind up as pieces of the recycled waste used in creating those rebond multi-colored carpet pads sold today.


As these rebond carpet pads age and breakdown, they become dusty, which in turn, releases PBDE up through the carpet backing and into face fibers over time. Small children are at a particular risk because they play on these contaminated carpets and inhale the dust. Studies have shown a direct connection of exposure to PBDE found in this dust and all sorts of health conditions, including higher rates of hyperactivity and lower IQ scores in children. PBDE can even find its way into breast milk or accumulate in body fat, affecting tissue function.


In the case of carpet padding, if it isn’t labeled as having a PBDE fire retardant, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s not there. It could be part of the recycled components that make up the padding. Who knows for sure? It’s hidden and it’s unknown.


PBDE was taken off the market between 2004 and 2006, but unfortunately it lives on underneath many carpeted floors. Maybe even yours.


The best way to avoid this issue entirely is to go with a quality carpet cushion instead of a cheap rebond carpet pad. Unlike those rebond pads, Healthier Choice is a continuous memory foam cushion made from virgin materials and has passed all fire codes for residential and commercial carpet cushioning. And it contains absolutely no brominated fire retardants. In fact, carpet cushions made by Healthier Choice contain a high percentage of calcium carbonate in the foam that naturally and safely prevents fire from spreading and extinguishes it.


No one wants a fire in the home, or the toxic smoke that can be generated. But no one wants a hidden danger created by unknown chemical components finding their way through the carpet and into their family members, either. With carpet cushions by Healthier Choice, you can be safe on both counts. 

Carpet Cushion: An essential part of the flooring system

By Andrew Stafford • February 8, 2021
Understanding the overall flooring system and why it matters.

Carpet Padding Versus Carpet Cushion. There’s a difference.

By Website Editor • December 16, 2020
When it comes to carpet, people tend to focus on what they see and feel—that is the topside of the carpet. After all, it’s why we select carpet, right? Well, not entirely. Carpet, unlike any other type of floor covering, provides a cushiony softness under foot. But that cushiony softness is not totally attributable to the fiber, pile density or tufting style. A lot of that enjoyment of carpet actually emanates from beneath it—from the carpet cushion itself. To be sure, carpet cushions aren’t the glamor-part choosing and buying a new carpet, but they are every bit as important. However, most carpet customers (and surprisingly carpet retailers for that matter) don’t give carpet cushion its just due. To them, all carpet cushions are pretty much the same. They believe they are begrudgingly necessary but certainly not worth much attention (out of sight, out of mind). Even the term “carpet padding” still persists, just as those bizarre multi-colored recycled bits and chips of foam (and whatever else) welded together with heat, pressure and glue. Thank goodness those things are hidden under a beautiful carpet! Because of this common under-appreciation for the benefit of carpet cushions (stemming from an uninformed consumer and a retailer anxious to make a quick sale) significant opportunities are often missed. A REAL carpet cushion, like the kind made with high-density memory foam by Healthier Choice, creates a number of advantages for the carpet retailer. Here are just a few: Increased customer satisfaction. Perhaps no greater, long-lasting advantage to the retailer is a happy, satisfied customer. Memory foam carpet cushion ensures a better installation, a longer lasting and easier to clean carpet, as well as luxurious comfort your customer will brag about. Easier customer education. Most people understand the concept of memory foam and equate it with the unrivaled comfort of premium mattresses and pillows. Using the same technology for unrivaled comfort under foot is an easy “dot-connecting” moment in the sales associate’s presentation. Opportunity for customer up-sale. So the customer has already made the investment in a beautiful, quality carpet. For just a little more, that customer can now protect their enjoyment and purchase with a state-of-the-art carpet cushion worthy of their new purchase. Empathizing with customer quality concerns. As people spend more and more time in their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a growing consciousness of the quality of flooring and other home improvements that go into the home as they relate to general health and wellbeing. A quality, U.S. made memory foam cushion like Healthier Choice is the ultimate, responsible choice. Not only does the memory foam cushion provide comfort and softness, Healthier Choice also prevents mold and mildew growth with Ultra-Fresh … and it’s even sustainable and recyclable! There are carpet pads and then there are carpet cushions like the kind made by Healthier Choice. There is a big difference. You owe it to yourself to offer this difference to your valued carpet-buying customers.
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