CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes T2 Site Amenities as a Founding Sponsor. T2 Site Amenities, Highland Park, Ill., offers a wide variety of products. Recycling containers are constructed from a wide range of sustainable woods, steel, and fiberglass. Recycling containers can be customized using granite, slate and other materials. Planters are available in many different styles and sizes; so too are benches. The company also offers towel valets, bicycle racks, umbrellas, bath collections, air purifiers and other items. For more information, e-mail info@t2-sa.com, call (847) 579-9003, or go to www.t2-sa.com.

NATIONAL REPORT—Bathroom ventilation systems recently introduced by leading suppliers are making it easier than ever to save energy and money while still keeping bathrooms free of odors and moisture. There was a time when fans were noisy and consumed up to 144 watts. Today they are almost as quiet as a mouse and can use as little as 4 watts—a dramatic difference. Motion sensors are now available with some models and turn off fans left running by guests. With some fans, a humidity sensor is included. This ensures that the fan continues to run until the humidity reaches a...

FORT WORTH, TEXAS—A new study published in the Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine finds that the use of HEPA (high efficiency particle air) filters can reduce the risk of heart and blood vessel disease. The researchers found that the HEPA filters reduce the amount of airborne particulate matter in the air. Doing so results in improved blood flow and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. The tests involved 45 adults and were conducted in 25 Canadian homes over a two-week period. HEPA filtration systems were added to the homes’ heating and HVAC systems. Concentrations of airborne particulates in the...

LANCASTER, PA.—Armstrong World Industries, the country’s largest manufacturer of acoustical ceilings, has introduced AirGuard, the first coating for ceiling tiles that actively removes formaldehyde and other aldehydes in indoor air. Initially available on Armstrong Ultima ceiling panels, the breakthrough, patent-pending coating technology for improving indoor air quality converts naturally occurring and man-made formaldehyde present in interiors into an inert substance permanently captured by the ceiling. Applied to the back of ceiling tiles, the AirGuard Coating actively removes aldehydes during the commissioning and early occupancy of a building. Tests show that it eliminates more than 90 percent of formaldehyde during the...

CHICAGO—Most cleaning professionals know vacuum cleaners with high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters can help protect indoor air quality. These filters capture the smallest of particles, down to 0.3 microns in size, 99.97 percent of the time. They can trap smoke, molds, bacteria, dust mites, pollen, and other particles. However, over time, HEPA filters need to be replaced. This is crucial for the vacuum cleaner to operate at optimal performance. But because HEPA filters can last a fairly long time, it is not uncommon for cleaning professionals to simply forget to change them. Daniel Frimml, a service technician for Tornado...

NATIONAL REPORT—“Almost all buildings will experience some kind of water intrusion, in the form of leaks, flooding or other excessive indoor dampness at some point in their life cycle.” This statement from the Institute of Medicine’s report, Damp Indoor Spaces and Health, is an important reminder to builders, building owners and facility managers that vigilance is the best protection against liabilities for construction defects and building failures from water and moisture damage. Proactive action is far less expensive and disruptive than ignoring warning signs or being complacent about water and moisture intrusion, both of which may lead to becoming...

DALLAS—The Omni Dallas Hotel, located in the heart of downtown Dallas, has outlined its sustainability plan which will lead to the property’s LEED Silver New Construction (NC) certification upon opening. The plan includes use of recycled and regionally-sourced materials, reduced construction pollution and water conservation initiatives. “Earning the LEED Silver New Construction status will be a tremendous accomplishment—one made possible by the tremendous efforts of the City, Matthews Southwest, Balfour/Russell/Pegasus, 5Gstudio_collaborative, BOKA Powell, Vivian-Nichols Associates and every team member who has a hand in keeping the project focused on sustainability,” said Nils Stolzlechner, general manager of the Omni Dallas Hotel....

ATLANTA—ASHRAE has published a new guideline that provides guidance on achieving good indoor environments by considering the interactions of air quality and thermal conditions, as well as lighting and acoustics. Guideline 10 is especially important in the design of low-energy buildings in order to ensure full consideration of indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and its effects on occupants. ASHRAE Guideline 10-2011, Interactions Affecting the Achievement of Acceptable Indoor Environments, calls attention to many interactions that designers might not have previously recognized or understood. The guideline contains an assembly of available knowledge on the complexity of the indoor environment and its impact...

SANTA ANA, CALIF.—Behr Process Corp., a provider of paint and coatings, announced that two of its paint lines now meet guidelines set forth by the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI) as part of the institute’s Indoor Air Quality and Children & School Certification programs. Behr’s recently certified products include all Behr Premium Plus and Premium Plus Ultra interior paints, including Behr Premium Plus interior/exterior high gloss series. The GREENGUARD Certified products meet strict chemical emission limits to help create healthier indoor-living environments. “Behr is proud to offer high-quality, environmentally-safe professional products,” said Joe Richardson, senior vice president of professional products and...

PULASKI, N.Y.—Antony Papageorgiou, a Cornell Hotel School alumnus and veteran of the hospitality industry, has been named the new COO at PURE Global Solutions, LLC in Pulaski, N.Y. Papageorgiou held several key leadership positions in hotel operations, branding and corporate training/development in the luxury and ultra premium cruise industry before starting a new career in indoor air and surface purification in 2008. “I am very excited to join the PURE Solutions Global team at a time when all of our efforts are directed toward strengthening our support to our existing distributors and broadening our presence worldwide,” Papageorgiou said. “This award-winning,...