Many people experience allergic reactions when visiting carpeting stores, which can include coughing, sneezing, running eyes and nose, and some even experience skin rashes. These symtoms are reactions to stain resistant coatings and dye processes used to color carpeting. The same reactions can occur in the home when new carpeting is installed, and again, when carpeting is cleaned, and when stain resistant coatings are reapplied. Because the avian respiratory system is small, but extremely complex, adverse reactions to birds can be rapid and fatal. To better understand the avian respiratory system, visit QUAKER BODY ANATOMY

Many carpets contain an added hazard; formaldehyde.

Formaldehyde is a colorless, pungent-smelling gas. It can cause watery eyes, burning sensations in the eyes and throat, nausea, and difficulty in breathing in some humans. High concentrations may trigger attacks in people with asthma. Some people can develop a sensitivity to formaldehyde. It has also been shown to cause cancer in animals and may cause cancer in humans. Health effects include eye, nose, and throat irritation; wheezing and coughing; fatigue; skin rash; severe allergic reactions.

How a carpet is dyed is important. Processes used to make dyes adhere to carpeting can cause reactions in som people and possibly, birds.

If you are thinking of placing carpeting or area rugs under bird cages, plexiglass sheets or plastic works well as an easy to care for alternative to carpeting and rugs.

Any carpeting or rugs you might purchase should be aired for serveral days before installation. As the paying consumer, you have the right to ask the installation company to air your carpeting for several days prior to the installation date. If you are installing carpeting or rugs yourself, you should plan on airing the carpeting or rug(s) at least 3 days before installation.

All pets and people should vacate the premises during installation until the house is completely aired. If you are installing yourself, keep the house well ventilated during and after installation and wear a mask.

By law, all carpeting and rug samples must be marked if they carry formaldehyde.

Look for carpeting and rugs which are "naturally" or heat dyed, rather than dyed by chemical process.

Continuously looped fibers are less likely to shear, rending less PTFE airborne. An example of continuously looped carpeting is Berber carpeting.

Wool and sisal carpeting and rugs are the most readily available natural fibered carpeting and rugs, many without stain resistant coating. Both can be found in their natural state or naturally dyed, without use of chemical process, although they are more difficult to maintain and clean.