NewslineVolume IV, Issue 16 - June 27, 2003The Carpet and Rug Institute news for industry executives
In This Issue: Letter Going to California Governor Gray DavisA letter is currently being drafted to Governor Gray Davis (D-CA) regarding implementation of Section 01350. It is the intent of CRI that the letter will be co- signed by other affected industry associations. Section 01350 is an enhanced IAQ emission standard and will affect any products being used in construction of new state buildings. It is also incorporated into the California Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPs). The letter will strongly urge Governor Davis to assist with slowing down the full-fledged implementation of Section 01350 and allow for industry input as the process moves forward. For additional information, contact Jennifer Mendez at 703.875.0634 "Carpet for Cleaner Air" Gets Overwhelming ReceptionThe "Carpet for Cleaner Air" brochures and interactive CDs have received an overwhelming, positive reception from CRI members. These sales tools are designed to help educate the sales force and customers about the health benefits of carpet. Advance orders from member companies have totaled 2,550 brochures and 3,050 CDs. These promotional pieces are another vehicle that CRI and its members are using to lower barriers to member profitability and growth. For more information, contact Joan Seelaus at 706.428.2123 or Steve Phillips at 706.428.2115 Much of the information used in "Carpet for Cleaner Air" can be found on our "Carpet Comes Clean" website. Georgia EPD Scrutinizes NW Georgia Air QualityThe Georgia Environmental Protection Division is holding a series of public hearings across the state of Georgia to explain the new rules regarding tougher federal pollution standards for Georgia counties outside the Atlanta metro area if the counties fail to meet acceptable air quality levels. Under the federal Clean Air Act amendments of 1990, the Georgia EPD is now required to enforce changes to industrial plants, electric plants and fuel efficiency standards if any area has ozone levels that are too high during a continuous eight-hour period more often than three times a year. EPD records indicate the air monitoring site located in Murray County shows that this mountain area exceeded the eight-hour average more often than most major cities in Georgia over the past five years. A public meeting was held in Jasper on Tuesday, June 24, to discuss an area which included Whitfield County. Another meeting was held in Cedartown on Thursday, June 26, to discuss an area that encompasses Catoosa, Gordon and Bartow Counties. The standards will be subject to continued review and discussion. Contact John Miller at 706.428.2109 Texas Bill Signed Into LawTexas House Bill 730, the Building Standards Initiative, has been signed into law by Governor Perry. The new law establishes the Texas Residential Construction Commission to manage dispute resolution between consumers and homebuilders. It also creates and oversees residential construction performance standards for use in the State of Texas. Unresolved issues over moisture intrusion and mold in residential construction have led to significant litigation between homeowners, builders and insurance companies. Concern over mold has made it difficult and expensive for Texas homeowners to secure insurance coverage. The law establishes certain construction standards that include moisture and mold-resistant building practices along with mold remediation guidelines. The Texas Association of Builders has proposed "Recommendations for Prevention of Water Intrusion and Mold Infestation in Residential Construction and Mold Remediation Guidelines" to its members. The goal is to build houses in Texas that resist moisture intrusion, thereby eliminating or significantly reducing the opportunity for mold infestation to building components within the house, including installed carpet. CRI has been an active participant in this initiative since its formation in 2002. Contact John Miller at 706.428.2109. Study Concludes That Carpeted Classroom Floors Do Not Contribute to Asthma Symptom SeverityA new abstract "Peak-flow variability in asthmatic children is not related to wall-to-wall carpeting on classroom floors," has been added to those available on www.carpet-health.org. The abstract appears under both "Asthma and Allergy" and under "Quality of Life." The hypothesis was tested that school classrooms with wall-to-wall carpets have a negative effect on the respiratory health of asthmatic children. The authors conclude that carpeted classrooms do not contribute to asthma symptom severity. The study was supported by a grant from the Dutch Asthma Foundation. It appeared in the journal Allergy 49: 724-729 (1994). Contact Steve Phillips at 706.428.2115. Visit our "Carpet Comes Clean" website. International Society of Cleaning Technicians (ISCT) Holds MeetingThe International Society of Cleaning Technicians, made up of cleaning professionals, held its annual convention and trade show June 19-21 in Greensboro, North Carolina. Ken McIntosh, CRI technical director, was a program speaker; and Werner Braun, CRI president, was the featured speaker during a CRI-sponsored luncheon for attendees. Mr. Braun's presentation, "Carpet for a Better Environment," focused on carpet's beneficial contributions to the indoor environment, as well as how the industry's proactive recycling efforts contribute to a better outdoor environment. Publications and information were also distributed from the CRI booth in the ISCT expo. Contact Louise Dobbs at 706.428.2104. UK's Carpet Foundation Wins Battle Against "Anti-Carpet Propaganda"
Thanks to the efforts of the Carpet Foundation, the trade association representing UK carpet manufacturers, linoleum manufacturer Marmoleum can no longer advertise that its floor covering is better for asthma sufferers. In response to an official complaint by the Carpet Foundation in March 2002, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), the UK's watchdog on advertising standards, censured Marmoleum's anti-carpet advertisement on the grounds that it lacked scientific evidence. Michael Hardiman, Chief Executive of the Carpet Foundation, said that Marmoleum had put out a "blatant anti-carpet message" in its brochure and maintained that smooth floors reduced the risk of allergen exposure and that the removal of carpet decreased allergen risks by 14 times. "Marmoleum could not substantiate these claims and their suggestion that children were at the greatest risk because they play on the carpet was also criticized by the ASA for lack of evidence." Hardiman went on to say, "The ASA judgment has exonerated carpet and this supports what we have known for years - that carpet is the healthy floor option." For more information, visit The Carpet Foundation website. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) MethodologiesRecently posted to the CRI website, is an informative article on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodologies by Dr. Michael Overcash. In February 2003, Dr. Overcash, well known LCA consultant and Professor of Chemical Engineering at North Carolina State University, presented a wealth of information on Life Cycle Assessments and how carpet manufacturers might use the available tools and methodologies. A companion article on Streamlined LCA Tools, provided by Deborah Dunning of the International Design Center for the Environment (IDCE), is also posted along with Dr. Overcash's article. RecycleFlorida Today, Inc. (RFT) 2003 Annual ConferenceRecycleFlorida Today, Inc. (RFT) recently held its 2003 annual conference under the banner, "Raising the Bar of Excellence in Recycling." RFT provides a forum for public, private and non-profit recyclers to mutually discuss and resolve recycling issues while also functioning as a professional association among individuals engaged in the business of recycling. As a Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE) board member, Dr. Bob Peoples, director of Carpet Recycling & Business Development at Solutia, made a comprehensive presentation as part of the RFT program. Dr. Peoples brought the attendees up to date on the CARE initiative and results from the first annual report. The CARE organization was also part of the RFT exhibition which provided an opportunity to distribute materials related to CARE and its activities to attendees. Contact Louise Dobbs at 706.428.2104 CRI Meetings* Rug Caucus, July 16, 9-11 a.m., CRI Boardroom CRI Participation in Upcoming EventsIf you are aware of other events that present significant opportunities to deliver our messages to our critical audiences, please contact Louise Dobbs at 706.428.2104. Check our website calendar for other industry related events |
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