Every time you walk on your rug you apply friction with your feet. This small abrasion breaks down the carpet fibres and slowly releases small bits of particulate matter in the air. You inevitably take these small fibres into your body through breathing and swallowing. So, is your rug edible?
The Problem With Plastic Rugs
If you own a rug made of PVC, Polyester, Acrylic, or any other plastic fibre, the answer is no, you can't digest your rug. You should not be taking a bite out of your plastic soda bottle, you should remove the cling wrap from your leftovers before microwaving, and you should not be breathing in polyester fibres. If the plastic rug has recycled material it may also be slowly off-gassing in your home, leading to even worse air quality.
In contrast, rugs made from natural fibres such as wool, cotton, and linen are all able to break down naturally in your body.
