Tarkett has launched a new flooring product that is designed to improve indoor air quality (IAQ).
The IAQ benefits of the iQ ONE flooring range makes it ideal for healthcare, aged care and education facilities.
As a result of its positive impact on the environment and human health, Tarkett iQ One has achieved a Green Tag Level A Certificate issued by Global Green Tag.
The launch coincides with the release of the 2016 Towards Building That Thrive Report authored by the Thrive Research Hub at The University of Melbourne.
The report addresses the need to develop building design and construction practices and interior materials that promote healthier and sustainable commercial spaces, with a focus on IAQ.
Commissioned by Tarkett, the report found that exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from building materials such as flooring can result in significant adverse health issues for building occupants and workers, including Sick Building Syndrome (SBS).
Although children, the elderly and the sick are particularly vulnerable to unhealthy IAQ due to their growing bodies and lowered immune systems, the facilities used to service this group are currently held to the same IAQ thresholds as commercial offices and warehouses.
To address the increased pressure on design professionals to build healthier, sustainable indoor environments, Tarkett Australasia managing director, Ralph Jorissen said the iQ ONE flooring range provides a non-PVC and phthalate-free, low VOC emissions and fully recyclable option that has not yet been seen in this market category.
“Unhealthy indoor air quality is one of the biggest threats to Australian’s health and wellbeing in the built environment but is often completely taken for granted. So it is more important now than ever that manufactures take-up strategies that promote healthy indoor environments," he said.
The report authored by The University of Melbourne’s Thrive Research Hub found that using sustainable products like iQ ONE improves human health by providing low levels of VOCs, increased hygiene, dust reduction and thermal comfort.
In his profession, renowned architect Peter Colquhoun said he recognises the need to make careful decisions about building materials.
“Tarkett represents a world class, environmentally responsible brand and its iQ ONE range is a step change when it comes to flooring that not only offers environmental benefits, but also human health, wellbeing and economic benefits," Colquhoun said.
"On top of this, the iQ ONE range of colours and patterns offers aesthetically beautiful solutions for many diverse spaces."
Dr Robert Crawford, of the Thrive Research Hub said the report brings to the forefront the urgent need for the sensible use of materials as the exponential growth of extraction of natural resources for building and construction continues.
"Companies that put the wellbeing of the earth and the human population at the centre of their practises will be central to the building industry of the future," he said.
By setting the highest standards in eco-innovation, Tarkett leads the flooring industry by providing tangible environmental and health benefits to its flooring users. Its aim is to ensure that Tarkett customers benefit from the best products, made from good, sustainable materials that contribute to people’s health, well-being and the environment without compromising performance and design experience.