Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
1.
Carpet initiative
As a consequence of a reported outbreak of illness among some USEPA staff
that occurred following installation of new carpeting, USEPA published a
notice in the
requesting that carpet and rug manufacturers
voluntarily conduct emission testing of their products to identify individual
contaminants and determine emission rates. Carpet and rug manufacturers
responded to this request by conducting extensive testing of their products
as well as adhesives. The industry then developed a low emissions labeling
program. Carpets and rugs that met TVOC emission limits set by the indus-
try could indicate their compliance with the industry standard by having a
green label affixed to them. The green label itself does not guarantee that
carpet/rug products pose no risk of harmful exposures to sensitive individ-
uals. Nevertheless, USEPA's voluntary carpet initiative and the industry's
green label program have resulted in a substantial reduction in TVOC emis-
sions from both carpeting and carpet adhesives.
Federal Register
2.
Labeling
The concept of product labeling has been given serious attention by the
Danish Ministry of Housing. The Danish program includes evaluating build-
ing materials and furnishings using qualitative headspace analysis of emit-
ted VOCs followed by quantitative measurement of single compounds under
controlled laboratory conditions. Emitted compounds are selected on the
basis of odor detection and mucous membrane irritation thresholds and
occupational guidelines. A model is used to determine whether the emission
profile of products is above one or more acceptable values. In such a case,
labeling could be voluntary or required by regulatory authorities. The advan-
tage of a labeling program is that it provides information to manufacturers
about emissions from their products and may indirectly induce them to
modify manufacturing processes to lower VOC emissions.
F.
Citizen initiatives
Citizens or groups of citizens who have concerns about their health and that
of others often initiate a variety of public policies that may result in local
ordinances, state/provincial laws and regulations, or voluntary operating
practices. Bans or restrictions on smoking in public spaces began with citizen
initiatives at the local level and evolved into policies employed nationwide.
Citizen activists in North America are involved in moving public policy
on a number of fronts which affect indoor environments and, potentially,
public health. Among these is the so-called “no scents” movement. Individ-
uals involved believe that their health is adversely affected by scents used
in perfumes, colognes, soaps, fabric softeners, etc. As a result of their lobby-
ing activities a “no scents” policy has been adopted in the province of Nova
Scotia; fragrance-free environments such as public transit systems, library,
school, and university buildings, and medical and dental offices are becom-
