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,...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—The InterContinental Suites Cleveland now offers guests the option to stay in PURE Allergy Friendly Rooms. The PURE air purification system will be utilized in 13 hotel suites, in order to improve air quality and enhance guest satisfaction. In addition, PURE rooms feature deluxe bedding encasements, with virtually allergen free pillow and mattress covers, to protect guests from irritants and pollutants. The new PURE rooms are being introduced as part of the InterContinental Suites’ new wellness-themed renovation, which will transform the Cleveland hotel into a center of wellness and tranquility.  “Adding PURE rooms to the new InterContinental Suites Hotel...

NORTH WALPOLE, N.H.—Len-Tex Corp. announced the introduction of its exclusive Clean Vinyl Technology (CVT), a breakthrough development for the commercial wallcovering industry. Len-Tex has partnered with O’Sullivan Films to create a customized, non-ortho-phthalate vinyl film. This technology eliminates the elements of most concern to health and indoor air quality typically found in traditional vinyl wallcovering products. Len-Tex CVT contains no phthalate plasticizers, no barium or other heavy metals, no antimony-based fire retardants and no formaldehyde. In addition, the CVT technology incorporates the Ultra-Fresh antimicrobial agent, replacing an arsenic-based biocide often found in commercial vinyl wallcovering. “We’re proud to take a...

PRINCETON, N.J.—Dynamic Air Quality Solutions, a leading manufacturer and distributor of high-performance indoor air quality products, showcased its V8 air cleaning system at this year’s AHR Expo. Dynamic air cleaning systems utilize a technology called non-ionizing, polarized-media, which significantly reduces the energy and environmental footprint of an HVAC’s filtration system. Over the past five years, Dynamic has helped building owners save more than 78 million kWh in fan energy alone. When Dynamic Air Cleaners are used as a substitute to high-efficiency passive filters, the savings can be as great as 75 percent less than fan energy. Maintenance is also dramatically...