Atlanta-based indoor air quality (IAQ) firm, Air Quality Sciences (AQS), has been re-accredited as the only laboratory in the United States to perform office equipment emissions testing for Germany's Blue Angel Program. Blue Angel is the oldest and most respected eco-label in the world. AQS successfully completed rigorous proficiency verification to earn the continuing accreditation.

Health organizations consider poor indoor air quality one of the top environmental threats to human health and is a concern for millions of people at home, work and school. Reducing product emissions is an important health goal, because exposure to indoor air pollution can lead to asthma and respiratory disease, in addition to symptoms like headaches, and eye, nose and throat irritation.

A pioneer in product emissions testing since 1989, AQS was first accredited to conduct Blue Angel testing in 2004. From its founding, AQS has worked with electronic equipment manufacturers to re-engineer their products to reduce emissions and qualify them for today's indoor environments. According to Tony Worthan, President of AQS, "Manufacturers of printers, copiers and multifunction machines can conduct an emissions test at AQS that satisfies both Blue Angel and GREENGUARD Certification requirements. Successful test results, verify that the office equipment meets the most demanding emission standards in the world. AQS is proud to help office equipment manufacturers advance their efforts to champion indoor air quality."

Since 1977, Germany's Blue Angel Program has provided verification of products' environmental performance based on stringent, science-based criteria. Low chemical emissions are eco-criteria for hard copy devices, such as printers, copiers and multifunction machines. Emission standards were established by Germany's Federal Environmental Ministry to protect the indoor environment from airborne emissions of ozone, benzene, styrene, particles (dust) and TVOC or total volatile organic compounds. In 2006, the Blue Angel organization updated its standard to lower allowable ozone levels and to require certification of color printers and copy machines. In 2002, the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute adopted the Blue Angel test method and criteria for acceptance in its certification program, REENGUARD participating manufacturers must also demonstrate compliance to emission requirements for formaldehyde and respirable particles known as PM10.

Air Quality Sciences, Inc. is a fully integrated indoor air quality (IAQ) company that provides solutions to create healthy indoor environments and avoid potentially dangerous indoor pollution. As the only indoor air quality firm with laboratories that are ISO 9001 registered, AIHA EMLAP accredited and ISO 17025 accredited, AQS sets the standard for accurate diagnoses and reliable solutions. The Company provides product emissions testing for the GREENGUARD Certification programs, German Blue Angel Eco-label, Green Guide for Health Care, LEED EQ credits, and other prominent IAQ and green product criteria requiring third-party verification. To learn more about AQS, Blue Angel or GREENGUARD, visit www.aqs.com , www.blauer-engel.de or www.greenguard.org , respectively. For more information on indoor air quality, visit Aerias, the AQS IAQ Resource Center at www.aerias.org .

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Tony Worthan

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Source: Air Quality Sciences, Inc.