The GreenGuard Environmental Institute and the National School Supply and Equipment Association (NSSEA) have partnered to promote the manufacture and third-party certification of sustainable, low-emitting products for educational facilities.

“Our number one goal in teaming up with NSSEA is to ensure the health, wellness, and safety of students, faculty, and staff in America’s schools,” said Dr. Marilyn Black, founder of the GreenGuard Environmental Institute. “We are excited to partner with NSSEA-the leader in the educational products marketplace-to drive positive change in the industry and create healthier products for healthier schools across the nation.”

As part of their partnership, GreenGuard and NSSEA will collaborate on various initiatives that support enhancing the indoor air quality of schools. NSSEA will also educate its members on the benefits of achieving third-party certification for their products to verify their indoor air quality performance.

“We recognize that chemical emissions from products in schools can pose significant health risks to students, teachers, and staff, so we’re really encouraging our members to pursue third-party indoor air quality certification-particularly GreenGuard Children & Schools Certification,” said Adrienne Watts Dayton, vp marketing at NSSEA. “We also applaud those of our members who have already achieved GreenGuard Certification for their products. The more low-emitting products we can offer our nation’s schools, the healthier we can make those schools-and the people inside them.”

One of the organizations’ first collaborations will be at the 2010 School Equipment Show, which runs Nov. 17 through Nov. 19 in Phoenix, Ariz. As a sponsor, the GreenGuard Environmental Institute will have representatives on hand to answer any questions about the GreenGuard Certification Program, as well as to provide information on indoor air pollution and its impact on human health. Visitors to the show can look for them in the Exhibitor’s Lounge. For more information about the 2010 School Equipment Show, visit www.nssea.org.