| VOCs and Indoor Air Quality Volatile Organic Compounds, or VOCs are harmful chemicals commonly found in many products used inside the home such as paint, adhesives, varnishes, and many other building material and furnishings. Exposure to VOCs can trigger asthma attacks, respiratory problems, nausea and dizziness. Extended exposure is believed to cause cancer in humans. Because of these dangers the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has identified indoor air quality as one of the leading health risks in the US and many states have placed strict regulations on the use of VOCs and other chemicals that affect the quality of air. Formaldehyde, a common VOC, commonly used in many building materials and furnishings is currently being eliminated from many flooring options. To insure your flooring choice meets these high standards of indoor air quality look for "Formaldehyde Free" products. These products would conform to the new California Air Resources Board (CARB), regulations. Many of these "Formaldehyde Free adhesive" flooring options help contribute to LEED points |
GREEN
FLOORING
FLOORING
What is "Green" flooring and what are the factors that help define "Green" flooring?
Green flooring includes any flooring that is sustainable, eco-friendly, contains recycled content, is
recyclable, leaves a small carbon footprint or has low VOCs (volatile organic compounds). There are
different degrees of green associated with different types of flooring.
Raw Materials
- Consider categories of flooring that begin as a natural product (wool, wood, cork, etc) or are made from
recycled materials.
- Soda bottles can be melted down and recycled into carpet fiber, such as Mohawk everStrand
- Some types of carpet can be recycled/manufactured back into carpet.
- Most carpet cushion is made with Pre-consumer or Post-consumer content.
- Salvaged products, include hardwood companies that reclaiming raw material from riverbeds or
dilapidated buildings.
- How products are harvested is critical. Sustainably harvested hardwood products should always be
considered, they help maintain responsibly managed forests.
- Renewable resources can be replenished quickly, such as bamboo.
- Choose products that are certified as environmentally friendly. There are a number of third-party
organizations that provide certification. These would include SCS (Scientific Certification Systems),
FSC (Forest Stewardship Council), GEI (GreenGuard Environmental Institute), SFI (Sustainable Forest
Initiative).
Installation Process
- Use adhesives with low VOCs when available.
- Choose water-based finishes over solvent-based.
- Floating/Loose Lay method of installation when possible.
Use and Maintenance
- Some floors continue to give off gas compounds, such as VOCs. Consider low VOC or 'No Added
Formaldehyde' products. These products help improve indoor air quality.
- Avoid less durable floors, which have to be replaced more often.
- Avoid high-maintenance floors that use harsh cleaning chemicals; Use non-toxic cleaners and
maintenance products.
- Consider floors that don't have to be refinished.
End of Life
- What happens to the floor when it has reached the end of its life cycle?
- Can the floor be recycled or reused?
- Can the floor be donated to a charity?
- Synthetic products don't decay, but most can be recycled.
Green flooring includes any flooring that is sustainable, eco-friendly, contains recycled content, is
recyclable, leaves a small carbon footprint or has low VOCs (volatile organic compounds). There are
different degrees of green associated with different types of flooring.
Raw Materials
- Consider categories of flooring that begin as a natural product (wool, wood, cork, etc) or are made from
recycled materials.
- Soda bottles can be melted down and recycled into carpet fiber, such as Mohawk everStrand
- Some types of carpet can be recycled/manufactured back into carpet.
- Most carpet cushion is made with Pre-consumer or Post-consumer content.
- Salvaged products, include hardwood companies that reclaiming raw material from riverbeds or
dilapidated buildings.
- How products are harvested is critical. Sustainably harvested hardwood products should always be
considered, they help maintain responsibly managed forests.
- Renewable resources can be replenished quickly, such as bamboo.
- Choose products that are certified as environmentally friendly. There are a number of third-party
organizations that provide certification. These would include SCS (Scientific Certification Systems),
FSC (Forest Stewardship Council), GEI (GreenGuard Environmental Institute), SFI (Sustainable Forest
Initiative).
Installation Process
- Use adhesives with low VOCs when available.
- Choose water-based finishes over solvent-based.
- Floating/Loose Lay method of installation when possible.
Use and Maintenance
- Some floors continue to give off gas compounds, such as VOCs. Consider low VOC or 'No Added
Formaldehyde' products. These products help improve indoor air quality.
- Avoid less durable floors, which have to be replaced more often.
- Avoid high-maintenance floors that use harsh cleaning chemicals; Use non-toxic cleaners and
maintenance products.
- Consider floors that don't have to be refinished.
End of Life
- What happens to the floor when it has reached the end of its life cycle?
- Can the floor be recycled or reused?
- Can the floor be donated to a charity?
- Synthetic products don't decay, but most can be recycled.
Green Building is No Longer a Trend; It Is a Mainstay
Schools, healthcare facilities, businesses and public facilities recognize the benefits
of building green, and governmental entities are even passing laws to mandate future
green construction of public and private buildings.
Carpet, carpet pads and carpet adhesives contribute to green building in two
important ways: helping reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and emissions
and contributing to the growing use of recycle content for building materials.
Because people spend about 90 percent of their time indoors, it is important to do
everything possible to maintain the quality of indoor air, especially for new
construction and renovation.
Schools, healthcare facilities, businesses and public facilities recognize the benefits
of building green, and governmental entities are even passing laws to mandate future
green construction of public and private buildings.
Carpet, carpet pads and carpet adhesives contribute to green building in two
important ways: helping reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and emissions
and contributing to the growing use of recycle content for building materials.
Because people spend about 90 percent of their time indoors, it is important to do
everything possible to maintain the quality of indoor air, especially for new
construction and renovation.
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