Sick building syndrome spawns healthy industry. (Atlanta)

Sick building syndrome spawns healthy industry

Not only have concerns over indoor air pollution sparked the creation of a whole new industry, but unrelated businesses are also finding opportunities in marketing to those fearful of sick building syndrome.

Take, for example, Dalton-based Collins & Aikman Floor Coverings Corp., which several months ago introduced a new carpet product designed to limit indoor pollution. The company calls it the "first truly environmentally friendly floor covering" because it does not contain many chemicals often used to make and install carpeting. Such carpet-making chemicals have been linked to symptoms such as burning lips, sore throats, shortness of breath and eye irritation.

"We've seen indoor pollution becoming more and more of an issue," says the company's director of marketing services, Dobbins Callahan, who won't …