To further improve the way its products impact Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and the health of building occupants, Tarkett recently announced it is making several product advancements to have all products in North America under less than 10 micrograms per cubic meter for TVOCs (Total Volatile Organic Compound).

The company said it has already begun to significantly reduce product emissions. Several of its products including Johnsonite’s homogeneous sheet and tile flooring, SVT (solid vinyl tile), VET (vinyl enhanced tile) and VCT (vinyl composition tile) are already at less than 10 micrograms per cubic meter, the company noted. Johnsonite’s heterogeneous and linoleum flooring, as well as vinyl and rubber wall base products, now have a TVOC emission of 100 micrograms per cubic meter or less. The goal is to bring these products to less than 10 micrograms per cubic meter by 2015.

Tarkett has changed both the chemistry of its products and the methods of production to ensure adherence to the strictest IAQ measurement standards, which are measured using TVOCs. The most common third-party standards for Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) in North America are FloorScore® and GREENGUARD, both based on California 01350, a Special Environmental Requirements standard specification developed by the State of California to cover key environmental performance issues related to the selection and handling of building materials.

“Very often the topic of indoor air quality is one that is vague for many people,” said Diane Martel, Vice President, Environmental Planning and Strategy for Tarkett North America. “This initiative is a significant step forward – not only increasing awareness around indoor air quality, but also ensuring Tarkett’s products have a positive impact on the health of building occupants.”

For more information about Tarkett and Johnsonite’s environmental initiatives, visit www.tarkett.com or www.johnsonite.com.