NATIONAL REPORT—Hotels cannot escape the fact that asbestos was widely used in construction materials throughout much of the twentieth century. In fact, any hotel built or remodeled before or in the 1980s is likely to contain asbestos-containing materials. The use of asbestos was so widespread that the large majority of materials used for constructing hotels contained the toxic substance. Contractors used asbestos because it was lightweight, durable, an excellent insulator, and provided effective fireproofing. Some common materials that may contain asbestos and have the potential to release toxic fibers include floor tiles, textured paints, walls, ceilings, insulation, and roofing...

SEATTLE—Seattle-based O Ecotextiles will brings its “sensuous yet sustainable” textiles for the first time to West Coast Green’s conference and expo, September 25-27, 2008 at the San Jose Convention Center in San Jose, Calif. One of O Ecotextiles’ new prints also was chosen by EcoFabulous.com to grace the master bedroom of the Showhouse at West Coast Green. For the company, whose line with top British designer Emily Todhunter won a House & Garden magazine award at Decorex 2007 in the U.K., their message is simple, direct and firm: Being an “organic textile,” means not just that a fabric uses organic...

SAINT CHARLES, MO.—Pineapple Hospitality has launched two free quarterly e-newsletters, bringing together the latest news, data and trends of the hospitality industry. The first newsletter, “Fresh Ideas,” is aimed at anyone in the industry who has or is considering adding a green component to his/her hospitality offerings. Within this rapidly evolving market, tens of millions of environmentally conscious customers are searching for options that will help them bring their eco-minded practices with them on the road and reduce their carbon footprints as they travel. The newsletter outlines the new products and practices that will help a hotel stand out in...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—From lawn mowers and weed trimmers, to personal watercraft and speedboats, gas-powered engines will soon contribute to healthier and cleaner air for Americans. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set strict new standards for gas-powered lawn equipment and marine engines, enhancing public health by substantially reducing the amount of gas fumes, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and smog-forming pollutants emitted from a wide range of engines. The regulations will take effect in 2010 and 2011. “EPA’s new small engine standards will allow Americans to cut air pollution as well as grass,” said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. “These standards help...

ATLANTA— As designers and consumers become more involved in the eco-friendly movement and wish to purchase products that protect the health and well-being of their families and building occupants, one product they focus on is paint. To assist in the purchase decisions, the Greenguard Environmental Institute (GEI) wants to educate consumers on the difference between volatile organic compound (VOC) content and VOC emissions. VOC content is the amount (by weight) of VOCs that are in the formulation of paint, while VOC emissions are the amount of VOCs released into the air following the application of paint. The difference between the...

COUR D’ALENE, IDAHO—Two cleaning agents recently introduced by U.S. Products as part of their new Professional Series line of cleaning chemicals for carpet, upholstery, and hard-surface floors have been green certified by multiple environmental eco-labeling programs. The two products are: • Environmental Carpet Cleaner/Rinse (ECC), for both portable- and truck-mount-extractor use, helps turn soils and residue into free-rinsing soaps for easy removal and has been certified by EcoLogo and Envirodesic. • Environmental Heavy Duty Degreaser, a multiuse cleaner/degreaser for both portable- and truck-mount-extractor use, dissolves heavy soils for removal and has been certified by both EcoLogo and Envirodesic. According to Nick Wiebe,...

ROGERS, ARK.—BioBased 1701s Insulation is the first spray polyurethane foam insulation to meet the stringent GREENGUARD Certification guidelines for indoor air quality. The GREENGUARD Certification Program is an industry-independent, third-party testing program for low-emitting products and materials. The first GREENGUARD Certification was awarded in the fall of 2002. BioBased Insulation’s soy-based, water-blown, closed cell insulation product earned both the GREENGUARD Certification and the GREENGUARD Certification for Children & Schools. “Our company is focused on developing insulation products that are more sustainable than traditional products,” said Mike Muccio, chief operating officer of BioBased Insulation. “We believe that sustainability means more than just...

PARSIPPANY, N.J.—Health-conscious travelers—especially those suffering from allergies and asthma—may breathe easier at Wyndham hotels thanks to the upscale chain’s new Wyndham ClearAir initiative to offer allergy-friendly guest accommodations. While eight Wyndham hotels offer the rooms today, all will be required to convert 10 percent of their room inventory or a minimum of 25 rooms into allergy-friendly environments by the end of 2009. Wyndham Hotels and Resorts is the first national upscale lodging chain to mandate allergy-friendly rooms systemwide. The chain’s move responds to guest concerns over rising consumer health issues and costs associated with allergic reactions. According to the Asthma...

SEATTLE—A University of Washington study of top-selling laundry products and air fresheners found the products emitted dozens of different chemicals. All six products tested gave off at least one chemical regulated as toxic or hazardous under federal laws, but none of those chemicals was listed on the product labels. “I first got interested in this topic because people were telling me that the air fresheners in public restrooms and the scent from laundry products vented outdoors were making them sick,” said Anne Steinemann, a UW professor of civil and environmental engineering and public affairs. “And I wanted to know, ‘What’s...

PORTLAND, ORE.— Placing it among exclusive company on an international scale, Portland’s Avalon Hotel & Spa has achieved the Northwest’s first LEED certification of an existing hotel building. The Avalon, a luxury boutique hotel and spa, joins the ranks of only nine other hotels in the world to have achieved LEED certification and is the second existing hotel building in the world to receive the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) coveted Silver rating. The Avalon is located in Portland, Ore., a location that is consistently ranked as the greenest city in America, with 43 buildings certified to the USGBC’s LEED...