Lowe's Follows Home Depot in Phasing Out Carpet with PFAS

Washington, DC, October 31, 2019-Lowe’s has updated its chemical policy to reflect that it will phase out the sale of all indoor residential carpets and rugs containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). 

The company stated, “All indoor residential carpet and rugs purchased by Lowe’s will be free of PFAS chemicals by January 2020.” The company also disclosed new restrictions on phthalates and other toxic chemicals in wall-to-wall carpet, paint, and fiberglass insulation. Lowe’s has more than 2,200 home improvement stores in the U.S. and Canada.

An Ecology Center report released in December 2018 found PFAS in half of all carpet samples tested (six out of 12). They persist in both the environment and human bodies and exposure to the chemicals has been linked to a number of diseases.

Home Depot announced that it would phase out the chemicals in September.