Mohawk SmartStrand’s PTT Fiber Reclassified by the FTC as Triexta
Image Courtesy of Mohawk
A couple of months ago I wrote an article about why Mohawk SmartStrand is Smart Choice.
Today, an exciting development was announced that will have a huge impact on the residential carpet industry and gives Dupont and Mohawk well deserved bragging rights.
In a very rare decision by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) (whose role is to protect America’s consumers) Mohawk and DuPont have been successful in changing the classification of PTT fiber (DuPont’s Sorona polymer which is used to make Mohawk SmartStrand) as Triexta instead of Polyester.
This means the FTC believes what DuPont and Mohawk have been saying for the past 41/2 years regarding the superior performance of this product. The FTC confirmed today in a unanimous decision that the performance aspects of PTT fibers is so much superior to PET (traditional polyester) that it deserves an entirely new classification.
Remember, the PET polymer is classified as Polyester. The new PTT polymer (also referred to by the proprietary term 3GT as designated by DuPont) is now classified as Triexta.
Welcome Triexta. Why is this important to you the home owner?
Image Courtesy of Mohawk
You will be hearing a lot about this new fiber in coming months and years and so should you. In fact, this is the biggest big news in the textile industry since 1959 when Nylon was classified as a fiber.
Tom Tape, Mohawk’s Residential Flooring Business President talked about the FTC decision in a 15 minute audio interview with Kemp Harr of the Floor Daily and summarized the following benefits of SmartStrand:
- Fantastic softness. Mohawk constantly hears stories from retailers such as how a customer after feeling how soft the product sample is, puts it under their arm and carries it around the store!
- Enhanced durability. It is far superior to Polyesters. In some cases, it is even comparable in performance to higher priced Nylon.
- Permanent stain resistance. (That is why Get Fresh Carpet Cleaning has recommended it in the past to customers for kids and pets.)
- Sustainability. 37% of the content of SmartStrand is derived from Corn. (Note: Not all Triexta has this bio component – Only Dupont’s Sorona which is used in Mohawk’s SmartStrand.)
Tom concludes by saying: “We are getting closer to finding the ideal fiber for carpets” and “since SmartStrand has been on the the market for almost 5 years, Mohawk feels it has stood the test of time.”
Get Fresh Carpet Cleaning invites you to consult your favourite flooring consultant or ask me for a recommendation and “feel” the softness for yourself.
teleskopy astronomiczne
Very nice blog, your article is interesting, i have bookmarked it for future referrence
Dec 29, 2009 @ 5:35 am
Susan Brown
I am experiencing an allergic reaction of upper respiratory, rash, congestions, eye problems, etc since installation. Have you had any similar problems from other people? I have previously had carpets installed and never had a reaction.
Feb 01, 2010 @ 8:46 am
admin
Hi Susan, I have not heard of that problem with SmartStrand. I would contact Mohawk directly and see if they have tracked any concerns. It may be the under pad used in the installation. Do you know what under pad was used?
Feb 01, 2010 @ 11:02 am
Mark
We have just had a smartstrand carpet installed in our basement and have notice our son has had symptoms of allergies.
I pray that this is not a reaction to the carpet. The installation cost a small fortune and we can not afford to do this again.
I will keep my eye onthis website for any new information smartstrand allergies as well as contacting Mohawk.
Thanks for any information you provide.
Mark
Feb 22, 2010 @ 10:17 am
admin
It is most likely the under pad. Do you know what under pad was used?
Feb 22, 2010 @ 7:19 pm
Carol Chandler
Just wanted to add my experience – I had my Smart Strand carpet installed about 5 weeks ago and think it’s gorgeous! However, I am wondering if I’m allergic because I’ve been having ongoing upper respiratory, headaches and congestion for for at least 3 to 4 weeks. I’ve been thinking it’s an ongoing cold or flu now I’m wondering if it’s allergies. Additionally, my 2 dogs are scratching and their eyes are watering.
Yesterday I called the store I purchased it from just to see if there had been other report of this. The owner called me back concerned and told me they have never had a report of anyone being allergic to this carpet and that If I find out it’s allergies, they have an unconditional 60 day return policy. He said the pad they sold me is the one recommended by Mohawk. I have no idea, nor did he of how I can test to find out.
I am really hoping this is not the case because I LOVE this carpeting. I’m also going to stay tuned to this page and may even all Mohawk to ask if they’ve had other similar reports.
Mar 14, 2010 @ 7:14 am
admin
I have asked Mohawk to reply to these concerns. Check back for further updates.
Mar 17, 2010 @ 2:40 pm
fredzini
Any responses from Mohawk about these issues regarding “allergic” symptoms or “off gassing” from SmartStrand?
May 05, 2010 @ 7:33 pm
Pieter
Hi, I also want to know which answer we will get from Mohawk? I see the real gains for this new sort of carpet in comparation with regular polyester.
But i surely want to know what causes the allergic reaction. Is it really the new polymer? But why we do not have allergic reactios with regular polyesters ?
Thank you in advance
May 19, 2010 @ 11:44 pm
Patrick
After taking the IICRC classes, they explained that old carpet that has been down and taken out for replacement is actually the problem. Old carpet is supposed to be wrapped up before taken out of the house. This is rarely done by installers but is required before putting in new. All the dust etc. gets put in the air and ‘lingers’ in the room.
I’m only repeating what was taught. Maybe the room should be ‘air purified’ and then see if that makes a difference?
May 21, 2010 @ 6:23 am
Minie Mouse
I am wondering why ‘admin’ has not reported back?(re March 17,check back for further updates)
Nov 19, 2010 @ 10:04 pm
Barbara
I, too, am experiencing allergies since getting SmartStrand installed. Never had this problem with other carpets. I don’t buy the response that it was the old carpet that was removed – at least not in our case – since the other carpet had been removed two to three weeks prior to the new installation and the floor had been cleaned in-between the two steps. Then, after the new SmartStrand was installed, we let the room air out for another week before putting the new bed in there. The room was totally empty of furniture during this process, and we were sleeping in the guest room. As soon as the new bed arrived and we moved to the room I started having problems. OK, Isuppose it could be the new mattress, but I have to say that I can STILL smell that new carpet smell as soon as I walk in the room, so I am thinking it is the Smart Strand carpeting.
Nov 21, 2010 @ 7:30 am
Hillary Guerra
We have just had a smartstrand carpet installed in our basement and have notice our son has had symptoms of allergies. I pray that this is not a reaction to the carpet. The installation cost a small fortune and we can not afford to do this again. I will keep my eye onthis website for any new information smartstrand allergies as well as contacting Mohawk. Thanks for any information you provide. Mark
Dec 23, 2010 @ 12:07 pm
Charlene MacKinnon
We just purchased a home with this carpet, our 2.5 year old is no longer sleeping thru the night, sounds really congested and is behaving TERRIBELY!!!! She has been checked over by doctors and treated with antibiotics but not change!?!?!? One of the other hockey parents suggested I look into the carpet and I am going to be investigating thoughly as I work for a home builder and largest land developer in the Calgary area I will be able to ask business contacts. I want my awesome little girl back and if it’s the carpet that is causing all the grief then I will find out and keep you all posted
Jan 26, 2011 @ 2:13 pm
Liz Krech
My cat had experience breathing problems with some carpeting on a cat perch. I totally forget about it until I brought home some Triexta samples. My cat started coughing and breathing very fast. It kept getting worse and I realized that this started after bringing home the carpet samples. I put the samples in the garage, aired out the house as much as possible, 30 outside, and kept taking the poor cat outside to allow her to breath; it sounded like she was trying to breath through water. Just imagine how frightening it must be to try to breath and each breath is making it worse.
Took the cat in as an emergency, asthma.Her breathing and lungs were fully inflamed from the fumes. One shot and a Rx and she is no longer chocking and having problems eating. The samples were quickly returned to the store. I will be going to 100% nylon carpeting for the house; there are a lot fewer problem with the nylon carpeting. Beware, some of the nylon carpeting now have recycled plastics included.
Any suspected problems vent the house and remove child or pet from home. See if the breathing improves it may save their life.
Mar 09, 2011 @ 5:51 pm
Charlene MacKinnon
There is an air purifier on the market that removes gases from the air, has to be charcol filter. My daughter did improve and doesn’t seem to be having issues anymore. Took 3 months or so and had I known before I would have purchased one of these prior to moving in. I hope someone will benefit from our experience.
May 19, 2011 @ 9:57 am
Guest
Family had horrible allergic reaction to carpet and fumes. This carpet is toxic!
May 27, 2011 @ 1:03 pm
marc hyman
Charlene Mackinnon,
Would you please get in touch with me? Our 2.5 year old little girl got itchy bumps all over her hands and feet (which then spread to legs and arms) right after we installed smartstrand in our townhome. The allergist confirmed her allergy to the carpet through testing. We are now trying to get a breakdown of the carpet’s components from Mohawk but are having some difficulty. I think our experiences are both similar and different but I’d like to discuss with you how the air purifer has worked. Was your carpet was brand new when you moved in? Did your daughter also have any bumps or any form of skin dermatitis? You may reach me at marc.hyman@verizon.net.
Thank you.
Jul 01, 2011 @ 12:02 pm
Elizabeth Lynn, Florida
I’m interested in these comments about allergies and Triexta. I’ve just come from 2-1/2 weeks of hospitalization for an auto-immune disorder (CIDP)that began AFTER my Mohawk Triexta carpeting was installed in May, 2011. It took 5 days of immune gamma globulin infusions to get me back on my feet and I’m still in therapy. There’s no prior family history of this disorder, and the docs cannot figure out how I got it.
I have not contacted Mohawk or Dupont, since I can’t imagine either corporation willing disclosing other allergic reactions to the fiber. But I DID make an inquiry to the U.S. Center for Disease Control, asking if they had done any research into a cause-effect relationship. To date I have not had a response, but remain curious about allergic reactions others might be having.
Aug 10, 2011 @ 11:05 am
admin
Hi Elizabeth, try contacting the Carpet and Rug Institute. They have been working with carpet manufactures in reaching voc free standards. They may be able to help.
Aug 11, 2011 @ 10:51 am
Susan J. Herrle, Ohio
DECEMBER 22, 2011
I would like to share with you my experience with Mohawk SmartStrand Triexta carpet made with DuPont’s Sorona renewable sourced polymer (installed January, 2010) and my breathing dilemma that disappeared completely after we finally removed that carpet from our family room in October of 2011. I would like others to be aware that their breathing issues could be the result of their carpeting.
We installed our Mohawk Triexta carpet in January, 2010, as part of our family room renovations. We loved the new carpet, the color, the feel under our feet, the overall look and the warmth it brought to the room. Everything was good, OR SO I THOUGHT!!
I had a cold going into January, 2010, and I’d been under some stress, not just due to the holidays, but my mom was in the hospital before Christmas. So, in January and after the new carpet was installed, I couldn’t get rid of the cold – more like a bad cough with lots of “clear” congestion. Went to the doctor (MD who does acupuncture and Chinese medicine). The Chinese formulas and acupuncture helped for a short while, less than 2-weeks, and then I was back to the doctor again for a change in formula. This cycle kept up for a long time. And, whatever I tried, including antibiotics, did NOT HOLD. My symptoms just continued to get worse. I was having a very hard time breathing. Diagnosed as bronchial asthma, I could hardly make it up the stairs to bed; couldn’t even walk next door to take care of mom; couldn’t even sleep. This went on like this for over a year and a half, with no sufficient relief. Lost 30 pounds!
Interestingly, when my husband and I went on vacation (2010 and 2011 Caribbean Cruises), all my symptoms went away, only to return within a week of being home. When I told the doctor, all he could say was “Well, you do live in Cleveland and there are no trees in the ocean.”
I could not convince my husband that the carpet was the problem. After all, it cost us $1300.00 to have installed. I even went to an allergist with a piece of the carpet, asking him to test me specifically to this carpet. He thought I was stupid, looked at me and said “What do you want me to do with this. We don’t test to carpet pieces!” No help here either!
In the meantime, we had our attic space checked for mold. We had a minor issue, which we took care of my installing a new roof with proper ventilation and getting mold remediation done. We even had our ductwork cleaned again. All this had no effect on my breathing problem. I was getting worse not better. I also bought room air filters that I ran continuously in the family room – lots of fibrous, grey, powdery stuff on the filter every week. Then, I had the air tested in the family room. Only thing found was an extremely high level of aspergillus. Don’t know what that meant health wise, but it didn’t sound good.
It’s now October, 2011. In tears, I said to my husband, we’ve got to get away from home for a few days. We were gone 3-days and by the third day I was feeling better. Tom finally agreed to remove the carpet; that was mid-October, 2011. We then changed all the furnace filters, again. By the week before Thanksgiving, I was feeling like my old self again. And I know feel GREAT!! We had hardwood floor installed, at 3X, the price of that carpet, but it was worth it for me. Hope this information will help someone else.
Dec 22, 2011 @ 2:29 pm