NewslineVolume IV, Issue 24 - December 5, 2003The Carpet and Rug Institute news for industry executives
In This Issue: CARE Gets Boost From Congress
Contact Frank Hurd at 706.428.2136. Study finds "possible protective influence of bedroom carpeting" for asthmatic childrenA recently published study was designed to assist physicians in identifying environmental triggers for asthmatic children. Because asthma is the major cause of school absenteeism in the U.S., this four-year study was initiated to help reduce absenteeism by aiding physicians in individualizing treatment plans. The study found exposures consistently associated with a diagnosis of asthma included environmental tobacco smoke, presence of dampness/mold, roaches, and furry pets in the home. However, carpet in the child's room was associated with lower rates of medication use and school absenteeism. The study results showed a "possible protective influence of bedroom carpeting." This study was conducted through Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, and Passaic Beth Israel Hospital. The full study, "Household Exposure Factors, Asthma, and School Absenteeism in a Predominantly Hispanic Community" was published in the Journal of Exposure Analysis and Environmental Epidemiology, Vol. 13, No. 3, 169-176, 2003. Contact Louise Dobbs at 706.428.2104. President Lifts Steel TariffsOn December 4, as anticipated, President Bush announced the lifting of tariffs on foreign made steel. The tariffs were imposed in March, 2002 and were expected to be in place for three years to allow the U.S. steel industry to improve its position in the marketplace and restructure its operations. In retaliation to the tariffs, the European Union (EU) had threatened countermeasures against a number of U.S. made products including textiles and carpet. The steel tariffs had been declared illegal by the WTO's Appellate Body. It was then anticipated that the EU countermeasures would go into effect on December 1, 2003. The EU agreed to a U.S. request for a delay. Following the President's announcement, the European Union and China immediately revoked the threatened countermeasures thereby averting disruptions to the U.S. marketplace and the possibility of a trade war. Contact John Miller at 706.428.2109. LEED Program Webcast Sponsored by CRIA 1-hour webcast regarding the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) was broadcast on Thursday, December 4, on the Building Design & Construction website. The program, titled "LEED - The Road to Success," featured a panel of five top experts in the field of sustainable design, who provided the latest information and insight on how to achieve success in the LEED program. The panel discussion, open to the public, generated numerous call-in and email questions and comments from participants. CRI was a sponsor of the webcast, advertising its Green Label Testing Program. ** Those unable to participate in the live version of the webcast can still listen and view the program by visiting the BD&C website at the link below. Participants can earn AIA continuing education credits. Since the session was recorded earlier, questions and comments are no longer being accepted. Contact Frank Hurd at 706.428.2136. Listen and view the BD&C webcast, "LEED - The Road to Success" Annual Legislative DinnerCRI participated in the annual GTMA legislative dinner held on Thursday, December 4 in Dalton. The event is one of several similar GTMA coordinated events held throughout the state. The Dalton event attracted State Senators and Representatives from around the Northwest Georgia region as well as area business and civic leaders. GTMA Chairman, Bill Barron, welcomed the group. Roy Bowen, GTMA President, addressed the gathering and provided a preview of the upcoming session of the Georgia General Assembly. He thanked the legislators for their dedication and hard work and emphasized the importance of our industry to the state and national economies. He also alerted the group to the growing influences of foreign economies, most notably the influences exerted by China. Contact John Miller at 706.428.2109. CRI Meetings* CRI Board of Directors Meeting, February 12, 9 a.m. - 11 a.m., CRI Boardroom CRI Participation in Upcoming Events* Industry Sector Advisory Committee 15, December 8, Washington, D.C. If 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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