NewslineVolume IV, Issue 3 - January 24, 2003
Fewer Asthma Symptoms with Carpets and Rugs in the BedroomA recently published study found that wall to wall carpets and rugs in the bedroom were related to fewer asthma symptoms and less bronchial responsiveness. These results were consistent across study centers. The study involved 19,218 people from 38 centers in 18 countries including Europe (14 countries), Australia, India, New Zealand and the United States. An abstract of the study appears on the CRI website in the Studies section. There is also a link on the website to obtain copies of the full paper. The full citation is: J-P Zock, et al. "Housing Characteristics, reported mold exposure, and asthma in the European Community Respiratory Health Survey." J. Allergy and Clinical Immunology 110(2): 285-292 (2002). Contact Steve Phillips at 706.428.2115. Legislation in the StatesAs the state legislatures head back into session, a number of states have introduced bills relative to indoor air quality in schools and school facilities maintenance. The bills, which are similar to model legislation CRI introduced at the American Legislative Exchange (ALEC) Policy Summit in December, have been introduced within the last two weeks. States introducing legislation include: Arizona, Connecticut, Hawaii, Indiana, and New Hampshire. The bills in their present form will not adversely affect the industry in any way. CRI views these proposed bills as an opportunity to work proactively in these states. To that end, Jennifer Mendez will be traveling to Indiana, Connecticut and New Hampshire to meet with policy makers. Contact Jennifer Mendez at 703.875.0735. B2B Ecommerce Panel AnnouncedAt Surfaces next week, a panel of eight floor covering dealers will be talking about their first-hand experience using groundbreaking business-to-business (B2B) ecommerce technology. This new capability, which involves the electronic exchange of documents across the Internet and is already in use by the three largest carpet manufacturers and every major software supplier, is gaining ground among carpet retailers and buying groups. The panel discussion, co-sponsored by CRI and WFCA, will serve as an informational/educational session for companies interested in implementing the technology. The panelists will be: Eric Appleby, Ohio Valley Flooring; Scott Bacon, Broadway Carpets; Joan Cocuzzo, Flooring America; Jim Creamer, StarNet and Potamac Floor Covering; Rick Fabrizio, Ogden's Carpet; Mark Ledebur, Carpetime; Tom Levi, Levi's 4 Floors; and Aaron Pirner, WFCA and CAP Carpet. The panel discussion will take place at Surfaces, on January 29 at 1 p.m. in room #403. For more information, check the B2B website at www.flooringb2bstandard.com. Contact Joan Seelaus at 706.428.2123. CARE Announces Availability of Grants for Carpet RecoveryThe Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE) has announced its first grant cycle, and will be accepting grant proposals for programs which provide for the recycling and/or reuse of post-consumer carpet, or increase the demand for products made from post-consumer carpet. Individual grants up to $50,000 will be available to private sector applicants in each of three categories: Intermediate Processing and End-Use, Enhancement of the Collection Infrastructure, and Research and Development of Markets. The formal request for proposals (RFP) process runs from February 1 until March 14, 2003. Grant awards will be announced at CARE’s first annual meeting on April 23-25, 2003, in Sandestin, Florida. For more information, check the CARE website at www.carpetrecovery.org. Contact Frank Hurd at 706.428.2136. Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHMA) to Add Floor Care DivisionThe Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers Board of Directors recently approved a change to the AHAM Bylaws that will allow manufacturers of floor care appliances to join AHAM in the newly created Floor Care Division. Several AHAM members that also produce floor care appliances, in addition to major or portable appliances, initiated the change to AHAM’s scope. The floor care segment of the home appliance industry includes full-size household vacuum cleaners, central vacuum systems, wet/dry vacuums and specialty machines, and is responsible for the annual production of nearly twenty million units. Contact Jill Notini (AHAM) at 202.879.5955 ext. 318, or Steve Phillips at 706.428.2115. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Workshop to be HeldLife Cycle Assessment is an objective process to evaluate the environmental burdens associated with a product, process, or activity by identifying energy and materials used and wastes released to the environment, and to evaluate and implement opportunities to effect environmental improvements. The LCA is an increasingly important area of interest for the industry as more and more specifiers are requesting such data information. To aid in our understanding of the LCA, CRI has arranged for a well-known expert, Professor Michael Overcash from NC State University, to conduct a "Life Cycle of Carpets" workshop at the NorthWest Georgia Trade and Convention Center on February 6, 2003. Dr. Overcash will cover LCA purpose, methods of calculation, critical factors, how LCA numbers can be compared, and other important aspects. For additional information, contact Carroll Turner at 706.428.2106 or Ann Jones at 706.428.2126. Conference Scheduled on Recycling of Fibrous Textile and Carpet WasteThe Eighth Annual Conference on Recycling of Fibrous Textile and Carpet Waste will be held in Dalton, May 12-13, 2003. The Conference is sponsored by Pollution Prevention Assistance Division (P2AD) of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and organized by the Georgia Institute of Technology. Registration fee is $250. There is no extra charge for tabletop displays. For more information and paper submission, phone 404.894.7551. MeetingsThe following CRI Meetings are scheduled:
CRI participation in upcoming events:
Check our website calendar for other industry related events |
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