cleaning for health overview

Cleaning for HealthCleaning for Health

Part One: The Big Picture

Name of partner group

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Overview of the ChallengeOverview of the Challenge The schools challenge:

vulnerable people in heavily used, densely occupied spaces

One-half of our schools have indoor environmental quality (IEQ) problems

Children are more vulnerable than adults to toxins

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Schools are heavily used, densely occupied spaces 20% of population attend

nation’s 120,000 school buildings (54 million children; 6 million adults, more than 70% are women)

Schools are four times as densely occupied as commercial office spaces and used more hours per week

Maintenance departments are routinely understaffed

The Schools ChallengeThe Schools Challenge

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Children are at Greater Children are at Greater Risk from Toxic ChemicalsRisk from Toxic Chemicals They have greater

exposures: Eat more food, breathe more

air, drink more water Play closer to the ground,

hand-to-mouth activity They cannot detoxify or

process toxins as adults do Their rapidly developing

systems are more sensitive Exposures and injuries can

affect lifetime health 4

A single custodial worker uses, on average, 194 pounds of chemicals each year

25% of these are hazardous substances

Custodial workers experience one of the highest rates of occupational asthma

6 out of 100 custodians are injured each year

20% are serious burns to the eyes or skin

12% are a result of inhaling chemical fumes

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Workers &Toxic Cleaners

Health Impacts and Health Impacts and Indoor Environmental QualityIndoor Environmental Quality

Asthma 30 million people have suffered --

including 9 million children under the age of 18

The cause of over 15 million missed school days each year

Costs society $16 billion/year in medical and indirect costs

Sick Building Syndrome and Building Related Illnesses

Allergies and sensitivities Absenteeism Reduced productivity and lower

test scores6

CCleaning, IEQ and Healthleaning, IEQ and Health

Ingredients in common cleaning products have been linked to: Causing new cases of asthma and

triggering asthma episodes Harming the brain, nervous system,

reproductive organs, kidneys and liver Irritating eyes and causing

headaches Breathing problems and illnesses Disrupting/acting like hormones Cancer

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The Solution:The Solution:Cleaning for HealthCleaning for Health

Cleaning that protects public health, without harming the health of staff, building occupants and the environment.

Health first!

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Benefits of Cleaning for Benefits of Cleaning for HealthHealth

Cleaning for Health - deep cleaning at the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Center Reduced airborne dust by 52% Reduced VOCs by 49% Reduced bacteria by 40% Reduced total fungi by 61%

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Cleaning for Health PrinciplesCleaning for Health Principles Keep the dirt out Use less-toxic, third-party

certified, cleaning and paper products and hand soaps

Update and maintain equipment

Cleaning with detergent removes most germs. Disinfect only in target areas.

Breathe easier – clean doesn't have an odor

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Key Elements for Successful Key Elements for Successful Cleaning for HealthCleaning for Health

Evaluate current cleaning products/methods Educate building occupants and broader

community Work with Environmental Health & Safety

Committee Develop a pilot project to test 1-2 products Train staff with new products/methods Phase in more “green” cleaning products Track success (school nurse visits, attendance) Reward staff for participating Public promotion Adopt a local district policy

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Use low-odor, less-toxic cleaning products Recommended by US EPA's Tools

for Schools Increasingly popular

Mandated by New York State (2005) and Illinois (2007)

Recommended in other cities/states Cost-neutral Improve IEQ by reducing sources

of pollutants Key to Cleaning for Health

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Healthier Cleaning Solutions

Cleaning for Health: Cleaning for Health: More green maintenance productsMore green maintenance productsUse greener products that

are third-party certified Hand soaps

Not antibacterial Paper products

post-consumer waste recycled content for boxed facial tissue, toilet paper and dispenser roll or multifold towels

tissue & towels on large rolls Interior maintenance &

repair low VOC paints/finishes/glues

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Better Cleaning EquipmentBetter Cleaning Equipment Use updated equipment to

reduce particulates in the air Install dirt-grabbing walk-off

mats inside and outside entrances, recommended 15’ – 20’

Use microfiber cloths and mops that pick up dirt while using a reduced amount of chemicals

Employ high-filtration vacuums or microfiber mops instead of conventional dust mops

Install high-filtration vacuum attachments on other floor-care equipment

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Cleaning for HealthCleaning for HealthBest PracticesBest Practices Make classrooms ‘ready to clean’ Clean from the top down Select durable easy to clean flooring; maintain/replace carpets

Clean up spills right away Cleaning with detergent removes most germs. Disinfect only in target areas.

Vacuum instead of dust mopping15

Germ Control HierarchyGerm Control Hierarchy

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1. Using a third-party certified all-purpose cleaner and friction can remove most germs and is good for most situations

2. Sanitizing is often sufficient for food prepareas and in day care for diapering areas, etc.

• Sanitizers – “reduce, but not necessarily eliminate microorganisms . . . to levels considered safe as determined by public health codes or regulations” (99.9%)

3. Use disinfectants where required and in high risk areas, know the law and clean first

• Disinfectants – “destroy or irreversibly inactivate all forms of microbial life but not necessarily their spores” (99.99%)

Implementation ChallengesImplementation Challenges

Teachers or children supplying cleaning products from home

Inappropriate demand for ‘disinfection’

Classrooms not ready to be cleaned; storage and desk/chair arrangements

What are the challenges in your school?

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“We have saved a substantial amount of money by going to green cleaning.” – Facilities Manager“I don’t have the dry throat and headache anymore from all the odors and chemicals.” – Custodian“The use of inhalers has decreased.” – Nurse“My child's rashes are gone and she is healthier during the school week.”

– Parent 18

Green Cleaning Revolution

Carol WestinghouseCarol WestinghouseCleaning for HealthCleaning for HealthProgram DirectorProgram Director

802-626-8643802-626-8643cwestinghouse@healthyschools.org

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