Posts Tagged ‘Regulations’

An “Earth Day” Look at Green Paints & Coatings

Friday, April 22nd, 2011
cover echoPosted by: Diane Capuano

In honor of Earth Day, we wanted to give you a quick rundown of eco-friendly paints and coatings, as originally reported in the March “green” issue of Paint & Decorating Retailer magazine.

“Greener” Paint Formulations

Over the past two decades, the green efforts of the paint industry have been focused on creating formulations with lower Volatile Organic Compounds—or VOCs for short. In an increasing number of cases, the content of paint has reached zero VOCs while the performance has stayed high or even surpassed those of the higher-VOC counterparts.

While the impetus for lower-VOC formulations has been governmental regulations, the paint industry has proven up to the challenge of providing products that perform well and meet consumer demand for low-odor, easy application and easy cleanup. (more…)

Tags: , ,
Posted in Trends | No Comments »

Health Groups Around the World Call for Window Covering Standards

Wednesday, July 7th, 2010
CPSCPosted by: Tamela Adamson-McMullen

Reports that hundreds of children over the last two decades have died or been injured by corded window coverings have brought together three international health groups to press for comprehensive safety standards.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Health Canada and the European Commission’s Directorate General for Health and Consumers are urging window coverings manufacturers and standards organizations to establish uniform, cost-effective manufacturing processes that put the safety of children first. The international, multilateral call for action is the first time three safety agencies, representing consumers in 29 countries, have joined together to demand worldwide safety standards on a specific product.

Corded window coverings have been known to cause strangulation deaths and injuries in children worldwide. (more…)

Tags: ,
Posted in News | No Comments »

EPA To Begin Monitoring Air Quality on Congested Roadways

Monday, March 1st, 2010

greenPosted by: Tamela Adamson-McMullen

Over time, monitors will begin appearing at roadways all across the United States, but breathe easy: They won’t be gauging how fast you’re driving.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is issuing new national air-quality standards for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and establishing new monitoring requirements in congested areas. NO2 is formed from vehicle, power plant and other industrial emissions and contributes to the formation of fine-particle pollution and smog.

EPA has set the standards at a level of 100 parts per billion (ppb) in one hour’s time. New monitors are due to start operating by Jan. 1, 2013. At the same time, EPA is retaining existing requirements that set the annual NO2 average at 53 ppb.

The new standards—the first in 35 years—are expected to protect millions of Americans from peak short-term NO2 exposures. (more…)

Tags: , ,
Posted in News | No Comments »