The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute is an industry-independent, not-for-profit organization whose mission is to protect human health by improving indoor air quality and reducing our exposure to chemicals.
Did you know that many of the products we encounter every day—from our furniture and electronics to our drywall and floor tiles—emit thousands of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other pollutants into the air? It’s true. And studies have shown that VOCs can cause or exacerbate a multitude of health problems, including upper respiratory complications, asthma, developmental disorders, and possibly even cancer. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air is two to five times more polluted than the air outside.
The health risk to children is even greater, as children breathe in more air than adults relative to their body size. And because they’re shorter than adults, children are more prone to inhaling airborne pollutants, which suspend closer to ground level.
To combat these threats to human health and ensure cleaner, healthier air, the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute certifies products for low chemical emissions. The GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality® Certification Program and the GREENGUARD Children & Schools℠ Certification Program both require products to undergo rigorous scientific testing and meet some of the most stringent chemical emissions standards in the world. Consequently, manufacturers wishing to earn GREENGUARD Certification for their products must often work tirelessly to modify their products’ chemical composition, supply chain, and/or production process—a voluntary commitment that underscores the manufacturers’ commitment to health and sustainability. Once certified, all products must undergo routine follow-up testing to maintain their certification.Headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute was founded in 2001 by world-renowned health scientist and indoor air quality research pioneer Dr. Marilyn Black. The Institute works closely with leading organizations and influencers in the green building, design, and health spaces to ensure that indoor air quality issues are recognized and addressed. GREENGUARD Certification programs are referenced in several leading sustainable building codes, standards, and specifications, including the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED® Green Building Rating System; the Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) Best Practices Manual; GreenGlobes; and ASHRAE 189.1.
