Implementing a Revolution: “Green” Cleaning in Your Facility Cameron S. Lory Carol Westinghouse INFORM

30-year-old, national, non-profit environmental research and outreach organization Key research areas Chemical Hazards Prevention Solid Waste Prevention Sustainable Transportation INFORM works with government agencies, schools and businesses to facilitate business practices that are environmentally preferable.

Environmentally Preferable Purchasing “Environmentally preferable products are goods and services that have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment when compared with other products that serve the same purpose.” - Federal Executive Order 13101

January 2005: New York Less-Toxic Cleaning Executive Order The order directs State Agencies to reduce the environmental impact of cleaning state facilities Office of General Services provides assistance in procuring products and services Transition period ends in June 2005 Agencies implement the programs

Why Is Environmentally Preferable Cleaning Important? Cleaning products adversely affect indoor air quality (IAQ) Janitorial workers experience one of the highest rates of occupational asthma Cleaning products often contain carcinogens, asthmagens, endocrine disruptors, and…the list is long

Health, Safety, and Cleaning Products A single janitorial worker uses, on average, 194 lbs of chemicals annually, approximately 25% of which are hazardous substances 6 out of every 100 janitors are injured by chemicals each year 20% of those injuries are serious burns to the eyes or skin

Mount Sinai Study* The same chemicals used in common cleaning products were found in the blood and urine of a sampling of Americans and included: VOCs Dibutyl Phthalate *Mount Sinai School of Medicine Environmental Working Group and Commonweal http://www.ewg.org/reports/bodyburden/es.php

Chemical-Specific Health and Safety 2-Butoxyethanol Absorbs directly through the skin Can affect the developing fetus Is a suspected carcinogen Can cause liver and kidney damage Common in surface cleaners (glass, all purpose) specialty cleaners (disinfectant, carpet)

Chemical-Specific Health and Safety Dibutyl Phthalate endocrine disruptor reproductive system toxin mutagen liver and kidney damage Common in floor finishes floor strippers

Eight Key Steps to Successful “Green” Cleaning Adopt a policy Establish an Environmental Health and Safety Committee Evaluate your current cleaning methods Develop a pilot project to test products Educate building occupants Phase in “green” cleaning products Monitor success Reward staff for participating

Adopt a Policy Establish cleaning for health as your priority Tailor your policy to your organization’s goals Let occupants and staff know that you value their health and safety

Establish an Environmental Health and Safety Committee Build a team with representatives of the administration, custodial staff, healthcare staff, union representatives, building occupants Choose participants knowledgeable about their constituencies’ needs These decision-makers will develop the program

Evaluate Current Cleaning Methods Conduct an audit of products equipment practices Include processes in your audit, not just products Review audit with staff so they can identify ingredients to avoid

Develop a Pilot Project Select a location in the facility for a pilot project Choose several different environmentally preferable products to test Ask vendors for product samples Arrange for product and equipment trainings and demonstrations Begin a one- to three-month product test in that area Have your committee develop an evaluation form for the custodial staff to evaluate products Survey the committee for comments

Train Staff Custodial staff training is integral to successful implementation Vendors will provide materials and training on new products and equipment Report any product problems to the vendors

Educate Building Occupants Disseminate materials on why “green” cleaning is important Post signage about the new policy Let building occupants know that they can support the policy by using only approved environmentally preferable products

Phase In “Green” Cleaning Products Have the EH&S committee design and fill out an evaluation form to rate the success of the products and the project Review the information collected on the evaluation form and identify the chemicals and equipment that perform best for your facility When equipment needs to be replaced, choose environmentally preferable models

Monitor the Project Periodically review the project for continued success Request that vendors keep staff aware of new environmentally preferable products Quantify toxic chemicals avoided

Reward the Custodial Staff Making changes is difficult Seek out and consider staff suggestions for improvement Give tangible acknowledgement (certificates, t-shirts, hats…)

INFORM Resources Cleaning for Health Implementing Environmentally Preferable Cleaning Practices General Guidelines to Healthier Cleaning Toxic Ingredients to Avoid in Cleaning Products Product Choices and Indoor Air Quality Cleaning for Home Health Cleaning for School Health, Asthmagens and Institutional Cleaning Products Respiratory Hazards and Restroom Deodorant Blocks Sample Specifications

Chemical Hazards Prevention For More Information Cameron S. Lory Senior Associate CHP Program Coordinator lory@informinc.org 212.361.2400 x232 INFORM, Inc. Carol Westinghouse Senior Consultant Cleaning for Health westies@icoisp.net 802.626.8643 INFORM, Inc.