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Certified Low-Emission Carpet Adhesives and Carpet

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    Indoor airPLUS carpet examples
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    In living spaces, utilize third-party certified low-emission carpet products that are designed to reduce human exposure indoors to individual VOCs. The How to Find Indoor airPLUS Compliant Low Emission Products document provides guidance on identifying compliant products including industry databases and examples of product labeling.

    See the Compliance Tab for related codes and standards requirements, and criteria to meet national programs such as DOE’s Zero Energy Ready Home programENERGY STAR Single-Family New Homes, and Indoor airPLUS.

     

    Description
    Description

    VOCs are emitted through off-gassing from many household products, including carpets and carpet adhesives. The How to Find Indoor airPLUS Compliant Low Emission Products document provides guidance on identifying compliant products including industry databases and examples of product labeling.

    The Green Label Plus program tests carpets for emissions levels of 13 different chemicals, and tests carpet adhesives for 12 different chemicals. All Green Label Plus certified carpet and adhesives undergo a three-tier testing process, including follow-up testing to monitor continual compliance with emissions limitations.

    As specified by the Green Label program, cushion products are characterized as prime polyurethane, bonded polyurethane, mechanically frothed polyurethane, rubber-hair, rubber–jute, synthetic fiber, resinated or coated synthetic fiber, rubber and rubberized polyurethane. Carpet cushions are tested for the following:

    • total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs)
    • butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT),
    • formaldehyde,
    • 4-phenylcyclohexine (4-PCH).

    The maximum emissions limits for these are as follows:

    • 1000 µg/m² hour for TVOCs,
    • 300 µg/m² hour for BHT,
    • 50 µg/m² hour for formaldehyde,
    • 50 µg/m² hour for 4-PCH.

    Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) logo

    Green Label and Green Label Plus are independent product certification programs run by the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI). These certifications include third party verification to ensure products meet strict emissions limits. Each certified product is listed in the CRI certified products database, located on their website at www.carpet-rug.org.

    Wood product handout

    Using certified products lowers occupants’ risk of exposure to high levels of VOCs from construction materials. These Indoor airPLUS specifications can be implemented by requiring documentation of material certification for each material submittal package from sub-contractors. Any submittal requirements, such as manufacturer documentation of product certifications, should be clearly outlined in the project specifications and/or subcontractor bid package. Information for each third party certification and emissions standard required by Indoor airPLUS can be found in the How to Find Indoor airPLUS Compliant Low-Emission Products document.

     

    Success
    Ensuring Success

    To ensure Indoor airPLUS Item 6.3 requirements are met, incorporate the requirements for product certification into the project’s specifications and/or bid package. Require documentation of product compliance for each product submittal from sub-contractors and suppliers.

    Climate
    Climate

    No climate specific information applies.

    Compliance

    Compliance

    The Compliance tab contains both program and code information. Code language is excerpted and summarized below. For exact code language, refer to the applicable code, which may require purchase from the publisher. While we continually update our database, links may have changed since posting. Please contact our webmaster if you find broken links.

     

    DOE Zero Energy Ready Home (Revision 07)

    Exhibit 1 Mandatory Requirements.
    Exhibit 1, Item 6) Certified under EPA Indoor airPLUS.

     

    EPA Indoor airPLUS (R­evision 04)

    6.3: Carpets and Carpet Adhesives   

    Download How to Find Indoor airPLUS Compliant Low Emission Products, which provides guidance on identifying compliant products including industry databases and examples of product labeling.

    Retrofit
    Existing Homes

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    Guidance for the measures described in this guide is applicable to both new and existing homes.

    Follow safe work practices as described in the Global Worker Safety section of the Standard Work Specifications. Follow all manufacturer recommended measures for worker safety. 

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    More Info.

    Access to some references may require purchase from the publisher. While we continually update our database, links may have changed since posting. Please contact our webmaster if you find broken links.

    References and Resources*
    Author(s)
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
    Organization(s)
    EPA
    Publication Date
    Description
    Document outlining specifications that were developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to recognize new homes equipped with a comprehensive set of indoor air quality (IAQ) features.
    Author(s)
    Carpet and Rug Institute
    Organization(s)
    CRI
    Publication Date
    Description
    Document describing the emissions criteria for carpets, cushions, and adhesives to qualify as those with low volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions under the Carpet and Rug Institute's Green Label Plus Indoor Air Quality Testing Program.
    Author(s)
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
    Organization(s)
    EPA
    Publication Date
    Description
    Companion document to the Indoor airPLUS Construction Specifications, providing guidance on identifying compliant products, including industry databases and examples of product labeling.
    *For non-dated media, such as websites, the date listed is the date accessed.
    Contributors to this Guide

    The following authors and organizations contributed to the content in this Guide.

    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Indoor airPlus program and PNNL.

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    Building Science Measures
    Building Science-to-Sales Translator

    Low/No VOC Carpets/Pads =

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    Technical Description

    Carpet, carpet pads, and carpet adhesives can contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other chemicals that have short- and long-term adverse health effects, including eye, nose, and throat irritation; headaches; loss of coordination and nausea; allergic skin reactions; and damage to the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system. Certified low/no-VOC carpets help provide for a healthy indoor environment. Programs like the Green Label Plus program, an independent product certification program run by the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI), provide third-party certifications for VOC emissions tests.


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