Simply put, what falls to the carpet (common dust, pollutants and many things that we breathe) tends to stay on the carpet until it is vacuumed. Unlike smooth surfaces that allow dust and other allergens to re-circulate, properly maintained carpet leads to improved air quality and a healthier indoor environment.
In a government study in Sweden, when carpet was banned from public buildings and replaced with smooth surfaces, the allergic reactions of people increased as carpet use decreased.
» View Government Study in Sweden (PDF 11 KB) Need Help with PDF?
Studies have compared the distribution of airborne dust associated with normal activities on hard and soft flooring surfaces. Findings show that walking on hard surfaces disturbed more particles. These particles became airborne and entered the breathing zone. In contrast, carpeted surfaces trapped more particles so that walking disturbed fewer particles. The result was less dust in the breathing zone over carpeted floors.
» View Cleaning and Foot Traffic Emissions Analysis Study (PDF 50 KB) Need Help with PDF?
(PDF 11 KB) 
