New carpet can be a source of chemical emissions.
In addition to the carpet, the padding and adhesives all emit volatile organic compounds. Some people report symptoms such as upper respiratory irritations, headaches, skin rashes, shortness of breath or cough, any fatigue, which they associate with new carpet installation. This chemical can be detected at very low levels, but does not result in an unpleasant odor for everyone. The odor dissipates within a few days. There are steps you can take that will make the carpet installation process easier for sensitive persons.