Hicksville, N.Y.—As local, state and federal governments continue to pass tougher environmental laws, the flooring industry remains at the forefront of this issue by implementing testing programs and then producing products that meet or exceed standards. The latest example comes from the adhesives side of the industry with the Carpet & Rug Institute’s (CRI) Green Label Plus Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Testing Program.

This is a more comprehensive plan than the original Green Label initiative and exceeds the standards established by California for low chemical emitting products used in commercial and educational facilities.

Glue manufacturers have not only readily jumped on board, many worked with CRI in developing the new program and, as of press time, the association has listed five companies on its Web site, www.carpet-rug.org, as already having had a number of their products tested and certified they meet or exceed the new standards— Capitol USA, Para-Chem, Roberts, W.F. Taylor Co. and W.W. Henry Co.

“We worked very closely with CRI during the development phase of this,” said John Nixon, product manager for W.W. Henry, one of the companies certified. “This new program should be considered a wake up call that the whole ‘green building’ issue should be taken seriously by everyone involved in the industry—from architects, developers, managers and owners to manufacturers, contractors and installers.”

The Green Label Plus program was voluntarily developed in cooperation with California’s Sustainable Building Task Force and the Department of Health Services IAQ section in order to upgrade the original Green Label to meet and even exceed testing protocols for low-emitting materials criteria as referenced in Section 01350 of the state’s Collabora tive for High Performance Schools (CHPS) for achieving good IAQ.

Werner Braun, CRI’s president, said the upgraded Green Label Plus “assures end users these products meet stringent requirements for low chemical emissions and they are getting one of the lowest-emitting products in the marketplace.” In order to receive the Green Label Plus tag, manufacturers voluntarily submit products for independent testing. To receive certification, the glues undergo a rigorous 14-day testing process that measures emissions for a range of possible chemicals.

Emission levels for 15 chemicals are tested—10 as required by Section 01350, plus five additional ones. In addition, subsequent annual, semi-annual and quarterly testing of certified products are done and is based on 24-hour chamber testing for targeted chemicals and the total level of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Werner noted that Green Label Plus goes beyond the California code by expanding the section is several respects, including annual tests for the specific chemicals, a chain of custody process and an annual audit of the testing laboratory. “Green Label Plus sets the highest standard regarding IAQ for carpet industry products [such as adhesives].”

While the industry has established a stringent testing protocol for products to achieve certification, Werner said, “Many of today’s carpet adhesives meet performance standards and emit far fewer chemicals than those of the past.” Henry’s Nixon agreed and pointed to his company’s products as an example. “We didn’t need to change the formulation, even on our standard products, as they met the standards. In fact, some of our products were 97% below CRI’s guidelines to begin with.”

During a panel discussion at last month’s International Certified Floorcovering Installers Association‘s (CFI) convention, representatives from eight leading adhesive manufacturers noted how the glue segment has made tre mendous strides in recent years in not only reducing the number of VOCs their products emit but ensuring they still perform. “There has been a dramatic drop of VOCs,” said AAT’s Benny Wood.

“The industry has been working hard to put out better and safer products.” Michael Crouch of W.W. Henry added, “We’re seeing continuous, step-by-step improvements...and are now in the third generation. The good part is, we’ve still managed to keep pace in terms of having the product perform properly—in some cases even better—while being more environmentally friendly.”

Craig Dahl of APAC, added “Even low-grade products are not made to fail—it depends on the project. You just need to understand how each product works and the best way to use them. It’s all about education.” All on the panel agreed that being educated about the product and job it is to be used for are essential since much has changed in recent years because of the IAQ issue and there are many myths floating around.

AAT’s Wood pointed out how people talk about today’s glues having lots of water in them. “Before VOCs came out, adhesives consisted of 50% water. Today, most contain more than 60% and go as high as 87%, but water has always been one of the key ingredients to making glue. “The difference is technology, today’s adhesives have more ‘meat’ per square foot than those from 15 years ago.”

When it comes to making an adhesive, Wood said there are five main ingredients: water, latex, resin, clay and oil. “There are also a dozen or more other ingredients but the difference between a cheap glue and an expensive one is in the percentages of the base ingredients. By changing the percentage of the mixture you change the configuration.”

That is why “education is so important,” said Richard Tanski of Dependable. “We need to get people to understand the product and how to use them, especially when it comes to the premium products because that is always the best route to take.” CFI member Tom Cudney added, “When it comes to glue, the best one is the cheapest insurance you can buy.”

And, if you are not sure, the mill officials said the best thing to do is call the number on the label and speak to a technician about the job you are doing, the materials being used, etc. “In the end,” said Wood, “if you are not sure, ask questions, we’re here to help you.”