Hanover, MD March 20, 2008- Did you know that according to the American Lung Association, most people spend 60% to 90% of their time indoors and that 50% of all illnesses are either caused by, or aggravated by, polluted indoor air? According to the US Environmental Protection Agency the levels of some hazardous pollutants in indoor air has been found to be up to 70 times greater than in outdoor air. Indoor air pollution can cause dizziness, nausea, allergic and asthmatic reactions, damage to immune systems, and eye, skin, and respiratory tract irritation. At a time when more than 50 million Americans suffer from allergies and 10-12 million Americans suffer from asthma, it's time we take a look at preventative measures to improve our health.

BedroomNew research gives strong evidence that the type of flooring selected can make a difference in the quality of our indoor air. A study supported by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) shows that there are bacterial chemicals called endotoxins, which are a by-product of bacteria that is found particularly in indoor areas.

"When we analyzed dust samples, we found that kitchen and living room floors had the highest concentrations of endotoxin," said Darryl C. Zeldin, M.D., a Senior Investigator at NIEHS. "However, when we looked at where the health impact of the dust was the most significant, we found that the likelihood of having recent asthma symptoms was nearly 3 times greater among individuals with exposure to high levels of endotoxin in their bedroom flooring." Children and the elderly are particularly susceptible to allergic and asthmatic conditions.

But it's not just at home where air quality is an issue. One of the criteria of the US Green Building Council's LEED rating system, Indoor Environmental Quality (or EQ), addresses the issue of how building materials can affect our health. It is a fact that companies who make the move to green buildings have employees with lower turnover rates, fewer sick days and higher productivity; children in green schools demonstrate higher test scores, lower absenteeism, and heightened academic enthusiasm among students.

According to an EPA study, sustainable flooring such as cork oak, bamboo, or certified hardwoods can be a healthy alternative for those looking to protect the quality of their indoor air. Cork oak has the added benefit of not harboring allergens, microorganisms, or harmful pesticides. In addition, dust, mold, and mildew are impenetrable to cork oak and it is naturally stain and fire resistant. Unfortunately, treatments that make traditional flooring stain and fire resistant can also be a source of harmful Volatile Organic Compounds, or VOC emissions and fumes.

There is also the possibility that some flooring may contain toxic chemicals aimed at reducing dust mite infestation. One way to avoid toxic chemicals is to make sure that you choose flooring that doesn't use formaldehyde glue or binders and that has been off-gassed in the factory. Off-gassing is the name of that "new floor smell" and is a chemical by-product of the manufacturing process. These emissions can be harmful for people who have allergies, asthma, or sensitivities to chemical products, and can affect immune systems. It can take months for these chemicals to off-gas or dry out. Usual symptoms are flu-like. For the healthiest option, consider choosing flooring with the lowest VOC emissions possible.

Some say that it's not just preferable, but also our fundamental right to live and work in areas with healthy indoor air quality. Paulo Nogueira, Managing Director for the North American division of Amorim, the world's senior manufacturer of cork oak flooring says that, "It's important to choose materials that are good for the environment and good for the people who will be living with them every day. Healthy flooring choices can make a big difference in the quality of air people breathe."

Amorim's new line of Wicanders cork oak flooring with Acrodur® developed in a partnership with BASF, (www.wicanders.com) is purely water based and is created without the use of toxic solvents like common formaldehydes and polyurethane resins that give off harmful emissions.

One of the most important gifts we can give to ourselves and to one another is a healthy environment. To learn more about healthy flooring options such as Wicanders cork oak, call Amorim Flooring at 410-553-6062, visit Wicanders website www.wicanders.com or Wicanders blog site for links, information, and answers from the industry leaders at www.CorkOakFloors.com.