Most natural rug materials like wool, silk, jute, cotton, sisal, bamboo and seagrass are generally considered safe and non-toxic for use in home environments. These materials are sourced from natural plant and animal fibers, and they undergo minimal processing, which reduces the likelihood of toxic substances being present.
However, some synthetic rug materials, like those made from certain plastics or chemicals, may have the potential to release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or other harmful and poitentially toxic substances into the air. These synthetic materials could include some types of synthetic dyes, adhesives, or backings used in rug manufacturing that would be cosidered “toxic”.
Synthetic rugs can sometimes also contain chemicals that may pose health risks, especially if the rugs are made with certain materials or treated with particular chemicals during manufacturing.