New rug...Should Emmi stay at the old apartment?

[KimberlyAnn]

Hi!

We just moved today. The apartment managers made a mistake and didn't put the new run in until this morning! How long does it take for new carpet fumes to dye down? I can't really smell anything, but I read about fumes. How long should Emmi stay away?

[Pajarita]

The EPA recommends airing the room (open windows and fans pushing the air out) for 72 hours but it also says that some carpets can emit fumes for months (depends on the material of the carpet and the glue used). I hate carpets and usually get rid of them asap. Right now I have them because the house is still not ours but, if everything goes according to plan, we will be closing on Jul/15 and they will be the first thing to go.

[Wolf]

The problem with new carpet is formaldehyde, it is used to keep them from getting eaten before it gets sold. I would shampoo the carpet as soon as possible after they install it to get the formaldehyde out of it. Let dry and then it should be good to go. The glue is just a hot melt glue and should not be a problem.