The truth is, the recognizable smell of a new car or fresh coat of paint actually comes from Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). The new survey, conducted by FLOR, a manufacturer and marketer of design-inspired carpet tiles, found that 91 percent of Americans are concerned about the environment, but only 10 percent say they are familiar with VOCs — and why they are unsafe.

VOCs are harmful gases released by everyday household items, including paint, carpets, cleaning supplies, aerosol sprays, air fresheners and some cosmetics. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air consistently contains 10 times the amount of VOCs as outdoor air. Given that Americans typically spend 80 to 90 percent of their time indoors, many people face prolonged exposure. The problem? VOCs can lead to asthma and other respiratory problems.

While an overwhelming majority, 91 percent, of respondents expressed concern about the environment, 61 percent reported that they throw unwanted carpet in the trash or place it on the curb for someone to take, according to the recent FLOR survey. What people fail to realize is that it can take 50 years for wool to break down in a landfill, and 250,000 years for man-made fibers, like nylon and carpet backing, to completely decay.

The FLOR survey also uncovered that a small percentage of people actually opt for some of these other disposal solutions, with only 15 percent of consumers choosing to recycle their old carpeting, and 25 percent choosing to donate it to others. But, FLOR is doing its part to offer people a more responsible alternative. Consumers can participate in the company’s environmental efforts through FLOR’s Return & Recycle Program, where old FLOR tiles can be returned to be recycled into new product. Many FLOR products contain renewable or recycled materials and meet the Carpet and Rug Institute’s (CRI) Green Label Plus standard for VOC emissions.

“FLOR has always been a believer in providing smart solutions for the home,” says Greg Colando, president, FLOR. “We want to help consumers understand the range of eco-friendly issues and products out there when it comes to renovating or updating home décor.”

For more information, visit http://www.FLOR.com.

No one knows exactly how much illegal hardwood enters the United States, but estimates range from $250 million to $375 million worth per year — much of which is used for high-end flooring.

Most illegal hardwood comes from tropical rain forests, delicate ecosystems with high biodiversity. Tropical hardwoods protect the soil — removing them prevents other plants from growing and allows rain to strip away nutrients from the soil. Studies have shown that rain forest deforestation accounts for 18 percent of greenhouse gases.

In December 2008, the U.S. government amended The Lacey Act, its oldest wildlife protection statute, to discourage illegal hardwood imports. According to the amendment, anyone involved in the import, purchase or sale of illegal wood is subject to one to five years in prison and $100,000 to $500,000 in fines per violation.

The U.S. Customs Service monitors suspicious cargo, but too much wood is imported into the U.S. to catch every illegal shipment. However, consumers can take steps to avoid the purchase of illegal hardwood. Shaw, a company that supplies easy-to-install hardwood products, provides the following tips for Americans looking to enrich their homes with gorgeous hardwood without destroying rain forests:

Look for hardwood that is made in the U.S. Choosing American-sourced wood not only supports the country’s economy, it helps to ensure that the hardwood is legally harvested from managed forests, which are a truly renewable resource.

Beware of exotic wood products. Woods like Brazilian cherry or mongoy are much more likely to have been harvested illegally than non-exotic woods.

Do your homework. Ask questions before purchasing your floor to make sure it is from a retailer that sources its hardwood products from a trustworthy, legal distributor.

Consider domestic species of hardwood. Although woods like hickory, oak, birch and maple are grown in America, advanced staining techniques allow these species to have the exotic looks many homeowners desire without the risk of purchasing illegally harvested products.

Look for eco-friendly laminate products. Shaw’s Luminiere collection mimics exotic woods like Ipe heartwood and teak, but doesn’t require any illegal harvesting. Better yet, the laminate uses 98 percent less newly harvested wood than most hardwood products and features a high-density-fiber core made from recycled wood.

For more information, visit http://www.shawfloors.com.

Seattle Housing Authority, one of the nation’s largest public housing agencies, has found a way to cut fuel consumption by 37 percent at a 120-acre redevelopment in West Seattle. Named High Point, the new pedestrian-friendly community features a mix of 1,700 low-income and market-rate properties, plus ample park space, a seniors’ village, a neighborhood center, a new medical and dental clinic and a public library.

Tom Phillips, Seattle Housing Authority’s senior development manager, says High Point has set a new standard in sustainable green building for housing authorities. “Our design team includes firms that are among the region’s leaders in sustainable development, and who share Seattle Housing’s passion for building a greener, more affordable and more livable community.”

The community features an innovative natural drainage system and a host of energy-efficient and water conservation solutions, such as a Baxi Luna combination heating and domestic hot water wall-hung boiler in rental homes.

“Baxi Luna is an elegant, all-in-one, backpack-sized boiler with tankless hot water capabilities,” says Matt Sullivan, the project manager of Mithum, a leader in reduced energy use. “It generates fuel-use savings while helping us to make the most of space limitations. It allows us to fit a stackable washer and dryer in the same closet as the combination central heating and domestic hot water boiler.”

An independent study showed that High Point homes with Baxi units recorded total fuel savings of 37 percent. The report also noted that the inclusion of conservation technology, including the Baxi hydronic heating system, makes housing even more affordable as utility rates increase and public utilities and government agencies add new financial incentives for conservation.

Seattle Housing Authority also installed its first Baxi solar water heating system at High Point this spring and expects it will generate additional fuel and cost savings. The renewable energy system is backed up by the Baxi Luna 3 Comfort combination heating and domestic hot water boiler, which is capable of accepting pre-heated water from the solar storage tank.

Visit http://www.wallhungboilers.com to learn more about proven Baxi energy-efficient, eco-friendly heating solutions.