Green cleaning is a term that has been coined to describe a growing
trend in favor of using environmentally-friendly ingredients and chemicals for household, manufacturing and industrial cleaning.
Green cleaning techniques and products avoid the use of chemically-reactive and toxic cleaning products which contain various
toxic chemicals, some of which emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) causing respiratory and dermatological problems among
other adverse effects. Green cleaning can also describe the way residential and industrial cleaning products are manufactured,
packaged and distributed. If the manufacturing process is environmentally-friendly and the products are biodegradable, then
the term "green" or "eco-friendly" may apply.
The purpose of 'going green' is to address human illnesses that arise from exposure as well as damage to the environment
(water, soil, air) from disposal of these products.
Health Benefits
Harmful chemicals are prevalent not only in general consumer cleaning products but also in foods, cosmetics, home construction,
clothing and many industries. By using more ecologically-friendly products, including green cleaning formulations and products,
consumers may be able to reduce human health risks by reducing exposure to these and other harmful chemicals.
Toxic ingredients found in common household and consumer products
- chlorine
bleach
can irritate the lungs and eyes and in waterways can become toxic organochlorines
- Napthas
and mineral spirits
- Phthalates
(found in furniture polish)
- Ether-type
solvents
- Methylene
chloride
- Butyl
cellosolve and petroleum
distillates (found in oven cleaning products)
- Sulfuric
acid
and sodium
hydroxide
(found in drain cleaning products)
- Alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs) (found in detergents and disinfectants,
and are suspected hormone disruptors)
- Ammonia
(which is poisonous when swallowed, extremely irritating to respiratory passages when inhaled and can burn the skin on contact)
- Indiscriminate use of antibacterial cleansers containing triclosan
may be contributing to the rise of antibiotic-resistant germs
- Butyl cellosolve ethylene
glycol monobutyl ether
is poisonous when swallowed and a lung-tissue irritant
- Diethanolamine
(DEA) (can combine with nitrosomes to produce carcinogenic nitrosamines that penetrate skin)
- Fragrances
may contain phthalates,
chemicals linked to reproductive abnormalities and liver
cancer
in lab animals and to asthma in children
- Sodium
hydroxide
(found in drain, metal and oven cleaners; extremely irritating to eyes, nose and throat and can burn tissues on contact
- Sodium
lauryl sulfate
(a common sudsing agent, can penetrate the skin and cause contact dermatitis)
Economic benefits
Green cleaning, in a commercial/industrial setting, can mean a holistic approach to facility cleaning and maintenance
that can provide health benefits, improved productivity, reduced liability, cost savings and improved community relations.
Recent advancements in chemical technology have made it possible to develop cleaning products that are as effective as traditional
products, but that do not contain harsh ingredients.
Some benefits of a well-designed green cleaning program can include:
- Improved productivity and morale of building occupants
- Improved health of building occupants, which helps reduce sick days
- Recognition in the community for reducing resource usage and pollution
- Reduce liability from worker safety issues
- Satisfaction from helping to make the facility and community a better
place
A proper green cleaning program should consist of procedures that maximize cleaning results while protecting cleaning
workers and facility occupants. Proper training of cleaning staff is also critical to a successful program. Finally, products
that have a more environmentally-friendly profile compared to traditional products are necessary.
Productivity
Healthier employees—your business at its best.
With 30% of the new and remodelled buildings world wide receive a high proportion from workers suffering from health
problems caused by Sick Building Syndrome, companies are vastly underutilizing their human assets and underestimating the
benefits of switching to green cleaning. With the same effectiveness as traditional cleaning, and little or no cost increase,
the return on investment for switching to green cleaning is immense. In the 1960s, Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) was first
identified when research revealed that volatile organic compounds from carpeting and furniture, inadequate air circulation,
poor lighting, mold buildup and disruptive temperature variances were contributing to nausea, respiratory problems, skin rashes,
lethargy, headaches and numerous other health concerns. Since then, many independent studies have shown that switching to
green cleaning leads to reduced employee sick days and absences.
A 2002 study by the Indoor Environment Department found that the improved air quality by use of green design, building
materials and technologies can lower sick building symptoms by 20% to 50%, while cold and influenza are reduced by 9% to 20%,
and allergies and asthma drop by 8% to 25%.
Get the most out of your business by keeping your employees at their healthiest.
