Granite Transformations Wins GREENGUARD Certification for Reducing Children's Exposure to Pollution

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“We have always been concerned about product emissions and have done our own testing for emissions like radon gas, but to win this award is very special.”

Miramar, FL (PRWEB) November 3, 2009

The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI) has recently awarded Granite Transformations its Children and Schools product certification. Extensive third party testing has shown that Granite Transformations' products are in compliance with GEI's strict guidelines for acceptable indoor building material emissions.

A recent research report released by GEI highlights the particular dangers children face from poor indoor air quality, much of which results from product emissions. The 73 million children in the United States spend 85 percent of their time indoors where the air is typically two to fives times more polluted than outdoors. This exposure combined with the physical differences found in a developing child has created an alarming level of danger to their overall health and development.

As an Authorized Standards Developer (ASD), the non-profit GREENGUARD Environmental Institute establishes acceptable indoor air standards for indoor products and environments. Because of the high risk to children, they have created a new set of strict standards for children and schools certification. All Granite Transformations' products and materials have passed these toughest standards.

"We are really excited about receiving this Children and Schools certification," said Carl Griffenkranz, Vice President of Marketing for Granite Transformations. "We have always been concerned about product emissions and have done our own testing for emissions like radon gas, but to win this award is very special."

Many construction products and furnishings can emit high levels of chemicals like formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds that, in the case of new construction, can produce indoor air pollution up to 1,000 times worse than outdoors. Granite Transformations has made a serious commitment to setting a high standard for the impact its products and manufacturing practices have on the environment, particularly indoors.

"This is a serious issue that must be addressed in order to protect our children," added Griffenkranz. "There are many things that can be done to minimize this danger, but one of the most important is for schools to be constructed only using products that have received the GEI certification. We are proud to be on that list and encourage all manufacturers to create materials that will pass this important test."

About the Company
With U.S. offices based in Miramar, Fla., Granite Transformations, a division of Trend USA, has facilities and showrooms around the world offering new and exciting alternatives to traditional countertops, backsplashes, floors and more. The first Granite Transformations franchise opened in 1996 in Perth, Australia. Consumer response to the revolutionary resurfacing process was overwhelming resulting in growth across Australia and New Zealand. With the first U.S. offices opening in 2001, Granite Transformations now has nearly 100 showrooms across the United States with more showrooms opening every year. In 2004, the company began UK operations and is now also growing throughout Europe. In addition to easy installation and beautiful surfaces, the company also offers its customers the convenience of quality cabinet refacing.

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