GOLDACH, SWITZERLAND—The 5th Annual World Air Quality Report reveals alarming details of the world’s most polluted countries, territories, and regions in 2022. For this year’s report, data from more than 30,000 air quality monitoring stations across 7,323 locations in 131 countries, territories, and regions was analyzed by IQAir’s air quality scientists. Key Findings from the Report: The most polluted city in the U.S. was Coffeyville, Kansas. The most polluted major U.S. city was Columbus, Ohio, followed by Atlanta, Chicago, Indianapolis, and Dallas California was home to 10 of the 15 most polluted cities in the U.S. Las Vegas was deemed the cleanest major city...

SOLON, OHIO—Tarkett, a global leader in sustainable and innovative flooring solutions, has updated its iD Latitude LVT line to feature a total of 72 designs. Available in three volumes—iD Latitude Woods, Stones, and Abstracts—the collection offers a breadth of design possibilities for education, workplace, and healthcare spaces. “iD Latitude brings the full trifecta: great design, lasting performance and practical affordability,” said Ben Elliott, Senior Product Manager for Tarkett North America. “Our latest updates to the collection offer modern wood, stone and abstract patterns that support the vision for every space.” iD Latitude Woods mimic the look and feel of natural wood grain,...

INTERNATIONAL REPORT—Trees, potted plants and “green walls” may not be conventional forms of interior design, but with growing demand for sustainable, eco-friendly hospitality, hotels are upping their efforts to incorporate “green atmospherics” into their indoor spaces. Whilst people’s behavior is known to be shaped by their physical surroundings, the specific effects of living plants, scent, air quality, natural light and green spaces are not yet known. Focusing on the luxury hotel sector, Professor Jin-Soo Lee of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and co-researchers explored the influence of various dimensions of green...

CHICAGO—The Mitchell Group introduces three new Sta-Kleen Silicone Digital Print upholstery fabrics. The digital print collection offers the same environmental, performance, and cleaning qualities as the award-winning Sta-Kleen Silicone fabrics, says Bill Fisch, president. The three new patterns: Bloom, Fleur, and Song have been designed for the healthcare, hospitality, contract, and other commercial markets. The Sta-Kleen Silicone collection now consists of 10 digital print patterns and three solid patterns. “Sta-Kleen Silicone is produced in a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. It was conceived, planned, and constructed under the direction of an environmentally driven team that’s trained in and remains dedicated to fuel...

Within the United States, billions of materials like concrete, steel, and lumber maintain and construct the buildings we use daily. The use and disposal of these materials and new building construction have resulted in substantial environmental impacts with a rise in the air, water, and land emissions. Construction is a significant source of airborne pollution production and has continued to rise since October 2022, with non-residential buildings and multi-family homes up 26 percent. Climate change is pushing polluted air indoors, and to reduce these air quality impurities and their impact on indoor environments, construction contractors should consider bettering outdoor...

CHICAGO—AirAnswers has announced a new partnership with Superstratum. Both companies have joined forces to identify and alleviate indoor mycotoxins and molds that can contribute to symptoms associated with sick building syndrome. Sick building syndrome and other health issues could potentially be caused by molds, mycotoxins, allergens, and viruses in indoor spaces. AirAnswers is the only commercially available air sampling system that detects, identifies, and measures all biological particles including molds, mycotoxins, viruses, and allergens, down to 0.1 microns in size. AirAnswers’ technology provides users with the capability to assess and to monitor indoor spaces for the presence of biological...

SOLNA, SWEDEN—The use of air cleaners has become more frequent during the pandemic, but how effective are they at fighting viruses? A joint study by the Virus Research Centre at Sendai Medical Center and QleanAir Japan center has succeeded in measuring this. The result shows that the QleanAir FS 30 air cleaner can remove over 95 percent of airborne virus particles in only 10 minutes. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the question of whether airborne viruses can be eliminated from indoor air was raised. A joint study conducted by Sendai Medical Center and QleanAir Japan has succeeded in measuring the impact...

ODESSA, FLA.—Green Lodging News has added Charlie’s Soap to the “Cleaning Products/Laundry/Other Areas” section of its Green Product & Service Directory. Charlie’s Soap offers a premium line of naturally derived cleaning and laundry products that deliver an all-natural clean. They have 40 years of experience built on family, good science, and smart chemistry, resulting in an effective clean for the most delicate laundry and toughest outdoor stains. The products are always safe to use and easy on your skin. Ideal for eco-friendly hotels and resorts, Charlie’s Soap’s professional line features all-purpose cleaners and laundry detergents that are safe, effective, fragrance free, and...

Charlie’s Soap Eco-Friendly Cleaning Solutions & Laundry Care Charlie’s Soap offers a premium line of naturally derived cleaning and laundry products that deliver an all-natural clean. They have 40 years of experience built on family, good science, and smart chemistry, resulting in an effective clean for the most delicate laundry and toughest outdoor stains. Always safe to use and easy on skin. Perfect for eco-friendly hotels and resorts, Charlie’s Soap’s professional line features all-purpose cleaners and laundry detergents that are safe, effective and fragrance free, hypoallergenic, and safer for people and the planet. Call Taylor Sutherland, President, at (800) 854-3541. Charlie’s Soap...

SCHLIEREN, SWITZERLAND—HeiQ Materials AG announced that it has signed an Exclusive Supply Agreement with BekaertDeslee, a leading specialist in the development and manufacturing of mattress textiles, mattress covers, and on-trend sleep solutions, for the supply of HeiQ’s recently launched HeiQ Allergen Tech. Under this agreement, BekaertDeslee will have exclusive worldwide rights to apply HeiQ Allergen Tech to mattress ticking, which is used to cover mattresses. HeiQ Allergen Tech, which was launched in October 2022, is a 100 percent biobased, naturally derived technology that reduces exposure to inanimate allergens such as house dust mite matter, and pet allergens with the help of active probiotics. It...