This reminds me of the furore when a report linked carpet to increased allergies, which transpired to be funded by a well known Swedish hard flooring manufacturer, this study actually admits to being far from conclusive and reveals several other contributory factors such as genetics, smoking and economic problems. Condensation on the inside of windows was even given as a contributory factor within the study.

In fact the study links autism to airborne chemicals called phthalates that can be emitted by all kinds of soft plastic Californian research has even found high levels of the chemicals in wall-to-wall carpet.

This study is not at all conclusive, yet some in the media have grabbed it as an opportunity to cause unnecessary concern among parents. Without regular mopping and vacuuming all floors will become dirty and contaminated, regardless of whether textile, wood, laminate or vinyl and this perhaps presents far more of an issue.