Green Cleaning for Healthier Homes and

Schools

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Why Switch to Green Cleaning?

Research tells us that frequent users of conventional cleaning and disinfecting products have higher levels of occupational asthma*

People in buildings where these products are used can also be affected

“Studies of Health Impacts Associated with Cleaning Products”Informed Green Solutions, http://www.informedgreensolutions.org/?q=publications/studies-health-impacts-associated-cleaning-products

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Children Are More Sensitive

Children are at greater risk than adults when exposed to toxins because

They process toxins more slowly than adults

Their rapidly developing systems are more sensitive to the effects of toxins

They live and play close to the ground where toxic residues collect in air and dust

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Children and Toxins

Childhood exposures to chemicals in the environment are associated with* Asthma Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Autism Cancer Learning disabilities

* In Harm’s Way: Toxic Threats to Child Development, Greater Boston Physicians for Social Responsibility, 2000

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Asthma and Children

Asthma Currently affects 7.1 million children in the US Is a leading cause of school absenteeism - 14.4

million lost school days in 2008 Third leading cause of hospitalization among children Costs society about $56 billion per

year in direct and indirect costs*

*Trends in Asthma Morbidity and Mortality - http://www.lung.org/finding-cures/our-research/trend-reports/asthma-trend-report.pdf

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Why Switch to Green Cleaning?

The Environmental Working Group tested 21 common products used in California schools. They found: 457 chemicals were emitted into the air

6 known asthmagens (cause asthma) 11 known, probable or possible cancer-causing

agents and Others – endocrine disruptors;

health effects are unknown

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Cleaning Products

Air Contaminants

Ingredients Disclosed

AsthmagensDetected

Carcinogens Detected

Comet Disinfectant Powder Cleaner

146 6 1 7

Febreeze Air Effects

89 3 0 1

Simple Green 93 1 3 3

Pine-Sol Cleaner

18 3 1 1

Citrus Scrub 90

56 3 0 1

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Environment

Hazardous chemicals in cleaning products:

• end up in our rivers and streams and affect aquatic life

• are spread on farm fields as sludge where they may be taken up by the food that is growing there

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Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals

Girls are entering puberty earlier – six years old

Birth defects in boys – deformed genitals

Phthalates found in plasticizers, vinyl, scented products, sealants etc.

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Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (cont.)

Common ingredients in conventional cleaning and pesticide products All-purpose cleanersHand soaps Floor care products Fragrances Insect sprays

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Cleaning for Health

Cleaning that protects public health, without harming the health of staff, building

occupants and the environment

Health first!

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The Program

Includes

1. Environmentally preferable chemicals Safer, less-toxic, with third-party

certification* for environmentally preferable qualities

2. State-of-the-art cleaning methods (commonly called “best practices”)

*Certification: a third-party (e.g. Green Seal and EcoLogo) gives written assurance that a product or service conforms to specific requirements

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Identifying Safer Products

Third-party certified

Green Seal

EcoLogo

EPA’s Design for the Environment

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Third-party Certifiers

Evaluate products for a list of criteria

Carcinogens, reproductive toxins, skin sensitizers, inhalation toxicity, skin absorption, volatile organic compounds, asthmagens

Biodegradability, toxicity to aquatic organisms, recyclable packaging, combustibility, animal testing

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Cleaning chemicals for everyday use Third-party-certified cleaning chemicals

One concentrate diluted for the following cleaning tasks

bathroom/ restroom all-purpose carpet spotter/extraction glass and window neutral floor

One heavy-duty cleaning product

Program Components Checklist

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Program Components Checklist (cont.)

Specialty cleaning products Environmentally preferable disinfectant Third-party-certified

Floor care products wax stripper floor sealer & finish

Hand soaps, not anti-bacterial Mineral build-up remover (toilets etc.)

White board cleaner and markers

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Best Practices

Use a stream rather than a mist when you are spraying a product.

Spray into the cloth instead of on the surface.

Avoid scented products.

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Best Practices (cont.)

Wear personal protective equipment when it is recommended by the label or SDS

Follow label directions Dilute at the suggested ratio Leave a disinfectant glistening wet on the

surface for the recommended dwell time.

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Clean before disinfecting Detergent and water can remove most

microbes Use disinfectants in high risk areas only

Areas required by regulation Areas where body fluids may be present

Disinfection

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The Program

3. The use of advanced technology cleaning equipment

Microfiber cloths and mops High-filtration vacuums and attachments Mechanized floor care equipment Steam cleaning equipment Multi-level scraper walk-off mats

4. Implementation Protocol

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Implementing a Program

Establish an Environmental Health and Safety/Wellness Committee or use an existing one

Adopt a policy Work with your custodial staff Educate building occupants Monitor success Reward staff for participating

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Comments on the Program

" I don’t have the dry throat and headache anymore from all the odors and chemicals.” - Custodian

“The use of inhalers has decreased.” - Nurse

“I can breathe now, even when cleaning is taking place.”

- Principal with Asthma

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Resources

Approved ProductsDesign for the Environment

http://www.epa.gov/dfe/pubs/projects/formulat/formpart.htm

EcoLogo - www.environmentalchoice.com

Green Seal - www.greenseal.org

EPA IAQ resources – www.epa.gov/iaq Informed Green Solutions

www.informedgreensolutions.org The Quick and Easy Guide to Green Cleaning in

Schools – www.greencleanschools.org