Article Number : 3779 |
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| Date | 10/24/2008 10:10:45 AM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=3779 |
| Abstract | So what does indoor air quality have to do with flooring? Quite a bit, according to GreenGuard Environmental Institute (GEI), the non-profit organization that is the nation’s largest certifier of emissions from building products and furnishings... |
| Article | So what does indoor air quality have to do with flooring? Quite a bit, according to GreenGuard Environmental Institute (GEI), the non-profit organization that is the nation’s largest certifier of emissions from building products and furnishings. Founded in 2001, GEI is an industry independent organization that oversees the GreenGuard Certification Program, which is recognized as the most thorough third-party indoor air quality certification program available. Its mission is to protect human health and quality of life through programs that improve indoor air that people breathe. Because poor indoor air quality can degrade the quality of life for building occupants and homeowners, it can trigger respiratory problems, such as asthma. Moreover, chemical emissions from common interior products are a major source of indoor pollution. Therefore, choosing low-emitting products significantly reduces the level of irritating contaminates in the indoor air. As an ANSI Accredited Standards Developer, GEI establishes acceptable standards for building materials, interior products, electronic equipment, indoor environments and buildings. As an example, GEI awarded its GreenGuard Indoor Air Quality Certification to the laminate flooring of Wilsonart. Specific products were tested according to stringent standards for low-emitting products, and Wilsonart’s were proven to have a minimal impact on the indoor environment. “Our products passed requirements that only 10% to 15% of products meet in the first attempt,” a Wilsonart spokesperson said. Using GEI-developed, performance-based standards that look at chemical and particle emissions (including VOCs and formaldehyde), GreenGuard certifies adhesives, appliances, flooring, building materials, paints, floor finishes and many other products. Testing of products follows ASTM, EPA and state of Washington guidelines. The certification program is voluntary and available to all manufacturers who are willing to submit their products to a third party for verification. GreenGuard also offers the GreenGuard for Children and Schools Program for products used in daycare centers and K–12 schools as well as offers the GreenGuard Mold Protection Program that assesses mold risk and certifies the design, construction and operation of new construction. GreenGuard certification is recognized and accepted by a number of green building programs, including the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED program. To date, more than 150 manufacturers across various industries offer GreenGuard indoor air quality-certified products. In 2006, GEI introduced the GreenGuard for Building Construction (GBC) program, a mold risk reduction program that for the first time certifies the design, construction and ongoing operations of newly constructed multifamily and commercial properties. GBC protects lenders, insurers and developers from mold risk by emphasizing the use of effective processes based on the industries’ best practices. Buildings that are certified through GBC have been proven to meet this standard and are monitored for ongoing compliance throughout the term of the loan or building life. |