Problems Testing the Safety of Carpet Cushions

In March the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) released a long-overdue report on the possible health hazards of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) from carpet cushions. The Commission attributed the delay to the fact that it had the initial study redone after it found “considerable measurement errors” in the initial research performed by Air Quality Sciences, Inc. (AQS). The new study, performed by IIT Research Institute, found much higher Acceptable Air Levels than the original work by AQS, concluding that BHT is less irritating than the earlier work suggested.

In a strongly worded letter to AQS President Marilyn Black, CPSC assistant executive director Ronald L. Medford writes: “I have now concluded that it is pointless to continue discussions with you or to expend any further time and resources in an attempt to verify the results reported under the contract.” Black disputes the CPSC’s concerns, noting that all procedures were approved by CPSC at the time and that the report was accepted by CPSC in January 1996.