Chagrin Falls, Ohio – To further improve the way Tarkett products impact Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and the health of building occupants, the company recently announced it is making several product advancements to have all North American products under the limit of quantification – less than 10 micrograms per cubic meter – for TVOCs (Total Volatile Organic Compound). The company has already begun to significantly reduce product emissions and several of its products – Johnsonite’s homogeneous sheet and tile flooring, SVT (solid vinyl tile), VET (vinyl enhanced tile) and VCT (vinyl composition tile) – are already at less than 10 micrograms per cubic meter.
Johnsonite’s heterogeneous and linoleum flooring, as well as vinyl and rubber wall base products, now have a TVOC (Total Volatile Organic Compound) emission of 100 micrograms per cubic meter or less. The goal is to bring these products to less than 10 micrograms per cubic meter by 2015.
The majority of the population in North America spends approximately 93 percent of their time indoors. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation, this concentrated level of exposure to chemicals is 10 times greater indoors and is a contributing factor that causes one out of five Americans to suffer from asthma and allergies. Allergies and asthma, affect approximately 60 million people in the United States alone. The market recognizes that VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) can aggravate these conditions. Tarkett has changed both the chemistry of its products and the methods of production to ensure adherence to the strictest IAQ measurement standards, which are measured using TVOCs.
In keeping with its Balanced Choice Philosophy and commitment to creating healthy flooring solutions that contribute to people-friendly spaces, Tarkett views the human experience as one of the most critical barometers of success of an indoor environment. The most common third-party standards for Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) in North America are FloorScore and GREENGUARD, both based on California 01350, a Special Environmental Requirements standard specification developed by the State of California to cover key environmental performance issues related to the selection and handling of building materials.
“Very often the topic of indoor air quality is one that is vague for many people,” said Diane Martel, Vice President, Environmental Planning and Strategy for Tarkett North America. “This initiative is a significant step forward – not only increasing awareness around indoor air quality, but also ensuring Tarkett’s products have a positive impact on the health of building occupants.”
For more information about Tarkett and Johnsonite’s environmental initiatives, visit www.tarkett.com or www.johnsonite.com.