New carpets installed at work - WWYD?

alinafed · September 2013

On Friday they installed new carpets in our boardroom and I was home that day. Walk in today and the whole office smells like chemicals and they are coming in today to do the trim (like a baseboard but in carpet), so more new carpet. Have been googling and everything says about how new carpets are full of chemicals (not to mention the glue they use to glue it down) and should be avoided while pregnant but I don't know if it's enough to say "so I read on the internet I shouldn't be breathing this in". With my doctor I can't call and speak to him I need to go in for an appt to get an answer… maybe I could call my midwife but I doubt she would really know and would probably just say something like "better safe than sorry" or something, or tell me to call a doctor.

don’t want to overreact either though. WWYD?

mrsjenni · September 2013

I think you're overreacting a bit. Can you crack a window or put on a fan?

lolinshag · September 2013

Hmmmm, is there a way you could work from home? Or another temporary place you could work (switch offices, break room, etc) until the smell goes away?

cpm1223 · September 2013

Can you open any windows? Is the smell giving you a headache or anything? Can you work from home at all?

Personally, I'd just stay at work unless the fumes were making me sick. I don't know how long the smell would last or anything but it wouldn't hurt to get your midwife's opinion (instead of telling your boss "I googled carpet fumes" lol) and see if you can work from home or take a personal day today.

aessary03 · September 2013

I would stay at work. I'd prop a Window or get a fan.

peanutmuse · September 2013

In the absence of feeling lightheaded or dizzy, I think you're overreacting. If I was in that position, I'd probably just tell my boss that I plan to occasionally step outside to get some fresh air in order to avoid feeling ill.

LuGal623 · September 2013

If you aren't feeling well from the fumes then I would see if you could work from home today or tomorrow. Those new carpet/glue fumes are nasty and if you can't open a window that makes it worse.

ScarlettDahlia · September 2013

peanutmuse said:

In the absence of feeling lightheaded or dizzy, I think you're overreacting. If I was in that position, I'd probably just tell my boss that I plan to occasionally step outside to get some fresh air in order to avoid feeling ill.

Ditto all of this. Unless I was really not feeling well because of the smell, I would just make sure I step outside for a couple extra breaks.

sugarland726 · September 2013

I agree with the others. I'd be more concerned if you were a carpet installer and around the fumes every day, all day. Bring a fan with you tomorrow to get things circulating in your office. I think you'll be fine. We got new carpets last year in our office and it was only smelly for a couple of days.

amt0312 · September 2013

I agree that opening a window or getting a fan is a good idea.

Not sure what I would do, but I first thing that popped in my mind was that if it bothered me that much, i'd go feign vomiting over the odors and wait for someone to send me home. But that's probably bad advice.

alinafed · September 2013

Thanks ladies! I did open a window in my office. I will let my boss know that when the carpet installer comes back I may step out while they are here and work from Starbucks/home.

DH doesn't help cuz he is so overly cautious about these things and was angry at me for thinking of staying. I spoke to a nurse who said the fumes aren't good so I will see how it goes once they come back.

csandroo · September 2013

Personally I don't mess with chemicals- I'd work from home. That would annoy/worry me all day long at work. The smell would be enough to drive me crazy let alone not knowing if it's harmful or not. I switched to all natural cleaning products and make SO do anything that could have bad chemicals (bug killer spray, etc.) I don't think you're overreacting - it's personal preference though!

shortstuff15 · September 2013

We got new carpet in our entire basement just a couple weeks ago. It's only smelly for a day or so. Open a window and you should be ok.

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