Many traditional cleaning products can jeopardize the health and safety of workers and contribute to poor indoor air quality for both patients and staff. Cleaners and disinfectants may contain Persistent Bioaccumulative Toxins (PBTs) and other chemicals that may cause asthma, cancer, reproductive disorders, respiratory ailments, eye and skin irritation and CNS impairment. Often, cleaning products may contain high levels of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) which can give rise to respiratory irritation. Many healthcare facilities are working to “phase-in” greener cleaners to improve the indoor air quality, reduce harmful effects on the environment, and improve patient and worker safety.
Green Seal
Green Seal is a non-profit organization that identifies and promotes products and services that cause less toxic pollution and waste, conserve resources and habitats, and minimize global warming and ozone depletion. Often, product review committees or contract staff cannot take on the immense burden of reviewing individual lab data on each specific product to assess environmental impacts. The use of a third party certification standard is extremely helpful in cases like this.
Industrial and Institutional Cleaners (GS-37)
This standard establishes environmental requirements for industrial and institutional general-purpose, bathroom, glass, and carpet cleaners. For purposes of this standard, general-purpose, bathroom, glass, and carpet cleaners are defined as those cleaners intended for routine cleaning of offices, institutions, warehouses, and industrial facilities. .
Finishes and compatible strippers used for Industrial and Institutional purposes (GS-40)
This standard establishes environmental requirements for industrial and institutional floor-care products. The floor-care products addressed by this standard include floor finish and floor finish stripper. Floor finish is any product designed to polish, protect, or enhance floor surfaces by leaving a protective wax, polymer, or resin coating that is designed to be periodically removed (stripped) and reapplied. Floor finish stripper are products designed to remove floor finish through breakdown of the finish polymers, or by dissolving or emulsifying the finish, polish, or wax.
The Environmental Choice Program
The Environmental Choice program is an initiative of Environment Canada, with certification carried out by nonprofit organization TerraChoice. The program certifies a wide variety of products, including: building and construction, paper products, office furniture, equipment and business products and cleaning and janitorial products.
Carpet and Rug Industry (CRI)
The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) is the national trade association representing the carpet and rug industry. The CRI has instituted Indoor Air Quality testing programs for new carpet, floor covering adhesives, and carpet cushion. These "Green Label" programs recognize manufacturers whose products improve indoor air quality.
CRI Green Label
Since 1992, the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) has developed and administered the "Green Label" IAQ testing and labeling program, first for carpet and then for adhesives and cushion materials. These unique testing programs identify low-emitting products by requiring that representative product samples meet scientifically established standards.
CRI Green Label Plus
Over the life of the program CRI has continually worked to enhance its testing standards, and has recently launched its next series of improvements. This latest enhancement represents the carpet industry's continuing efforts to strengthen the IAQ standard for its products. For the care of installed carpet, CRI created the vacuum cleaner testing program, which provides helpful information to aid in the selection of a quality vacuum cleaner. Look for carpet, adhesives, cushion, and vacuum cleaners displaying the familiar CRI "Green Label" IAQ Testing Program logos.
Microfiber Cleaning Supplies
Several studies indicate the use of microfiber mops benefit not only the environment, but also the safety of workers. Microfiber mops significantly decrease the chemical and water used when cleaning and also decrease the amount of soiled water put back into the waste stream. Microfiber mops virtually eliminate cross contamination during janitorial tasks compared to traditional cotton loop mopping systems. In addition, microfiber mops are less work-intensive and more ergonomic than traditional mops, resulting in fewer employee injuries. Visit the links below to learn more: