Contact:
Rachel R. Belew,
PR & Communications Manager
678.444.4047 or 678.548.7889
rbelew@greenguard.org
Henning Bloech,
Executive Director
678.444.4040 or 678.270.7931
hbloech@greenguard.org
GREENGUARD
Responds to President Obama's Signing of the Formaldehyde Standards
for Composite Wood Products Act
Applauds federal government for taking steps to reduce formaldehyde
emissions; warns of additional health risks associated with exposure
to other chemical emissions
(Atlanta, GA)-The
GREENGUARD Environmental Institute
applauds U.S. lawmakers and President Obama for passing and signing
into law Wednesday the Formaldehyde
Standards for Composite Wood Products Act (S.1660).
The new federal law aims to protect consumers by restricting formaldehyde
emissions from composite wood products sold, supplied or manufactured
in the U.S.-including those imported from foreign markets. These products
include hardwood plywood, medium-density fiberboard and particle board,
as well as finished goods that are made from these composite wood
products.
"We commend the federal government for recognizing the health
hazards associated with exposure to formaldehyde emissions and for
taking steps to minimize that exposure," says Henning
Bloech, executive director of the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute.
"Our mission has always been to protect public health. We do
that by certifying products and materials for low chemical emissions
and by educating the public about indoor air quality. While the signing
of the Formaldehyde Standards Act into law is encouraging, the threat
of adverse health effects from inhalation exposure to thousands of
other toxic chemicals still looms. That's why the GREENGUARD Certification
Program is so critical."
Products that achieve GREENGUARD
Indoor Air Quality Certification must meet stringent emission
limits on more than 360 volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including
formaldehyde. To account for the myriad of chemicals whose health
impacts are unstudied or not yet understood, products must also meet
an ancillary limit on the total number of VOCs (TVOC) that they emit.
Products that achieve
GREENGUARD Children & SchoolsSM Certification must
meet even more stringent emission limits on VOCs, as well as emission
limits on phthalates. All products certified to the GREENGUARD Children
& Schools standard comply with the State of California's Department
of Public Health Services Standard Practice for Specification Section
01350 (CA
01350).
The Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Woods Products Act amends
the 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act by requiring the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) to implement formaldehyde emission standards
originally established by the California Air Resources Board (CARB)
by 2013.
About GREENGUARD
Environmental Institute (GEI)
The GREENGUARD
Environmental Institute aims to protect human health and improve quality
of life by enhancing indoor air quality and reducing people's exposure
to chemicals and other pollutants. As an ISO-IEC Guide 65:1996 accredited,
third-party organization, the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute certifies
products and materials for low chemical emissions and provides a resource
for choosing healthier products and materials for indoor environments.
All certified products must meet stringent chemical emissions standards
based on established criteria from key public health agencies. GREENGUARD
Certification is broadly recognized and accepted by sustainable building
programs and building codes worldwide. For more information and a
complete listing of certified products, visit www.greenguard.org.