# that new carpet smell

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-new-carpet-smell/553060>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [September 8, 2010, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-new-carpet-smell/553060 "2010-09-08T16:03:49Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![dflower](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dflower/32/3270_2.png) [@dflower](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dflower)\
**Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-new-carpet-smell/553060/1 "2010-09-08T16:03:49Z")

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I saved for new carpet and now can’t stand the smell.  
At first I was short of breath and weak. Now, 3 weeks on, it is just the smell. I feel like I have a cold. Maybe I do but can’t help but think the carpet is at fault.  
I had it professionally steam cleaned and that did seem to help some.  
I used baking soda, also may have helped some. But is this dangerous for our health?  
What is the dope on new carpet?

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**Author:** ![campp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@campp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/campp)\
**Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-new-carpet-smell/553060/2 "2010-09-08T16:31:17Z")

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I think it’s formaldehyde or some VOC out gassing. It should pass after a few weeks.

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**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\
**Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-new-carpet-smell/553060/3 "2010-09-08T19:27:37Z")

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> [@campp](#):
>
> I think it’s formaldehyde or some VOC out gassing. It should pass after a few weeks.

For those who don’t deal with them reguarly I present to you [VOC](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volatile_organic_compound). Believe me, it gets complicated not only trying to define whats a VOC; but also in how to measure VOC’s levels. Drives certain groups of automotive suppliers crazy; on one side the OEM’s want to elimante harmeful VOC’s, but another group in the same company may want an enhanced/longer lasting new car smell / VOC.