Woolmark summarises research into wool carpet's absorption of substances including formaldehyde, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. The reported comparisons examine how different carpet fibres take up airborne contaminants under test conditions. This is a material-interaction property rather than a claim about the carpet's decorative appearance.

Wool Carpet Research Examines Absorption of Indoor Pollutants

Actual indoor air quality also depends on ventilation, pollutant sources and the complete room. Carpet should not be treated as a replacement for controlling those factors. The research is useful as an example of how a protein fibre can interact with its environment after being made into an interior textile.