TOXICS INFORMATION PROJECT (TIP)
LIBERTY GOODWIN,
DIRECTOR
P.O. Box 40572,
Providence, RI 02940
Tel. 401-351-9193,
E-Mail: TIP@toxicsinfo.org
WEBSITE: www.toxicsinfo.org
(Lighting the Way to Less Toxic Living)
THOUGHTS ON LEGISLATION TO REQUIRE
GREEN
CLEANING IN RHODE ISLAND SCHOOLS
(In
Support of H5358)
1. WHY NOT CONTINUE WITH CURRENT PRACTICES AND
MATERIALS?
Because
children in general are vulnerable to the chemicals in typical commercial
cleaners. Because those with asthma,
whether student, teacher or maintenance worker, are especially susceptible to
attacks triggered by such chemicals.
Because researchers have found connections between cleaning products and
conditions such as learning disabilities, endocrine disruption, and
cancer.
2. WHAT ARE THE ALTERNATIVES, THEIR BENEFITS
AND COSTS?
There
are many, many “green” cleaning products being developed and offered every
year. They are being used in more and
more schools around the country. In
many cases, utilizing green practices and materials saves money. In addition to purchasing costs, there can
be significant savings because of health benefits for staff and students from
using safer products.
3. WHAT POSITIONS HAVE OTHER STATES TAKEN ON
THIS CONCERN?
At
least fifteen states and as many cities or towns have taken action to green
their schools.
4. WHAT CHANGES IN THE BILL MIGHT BE DESIRABLE OR NEEDED?
A. It should be required that schools should use products that are
healthful, not just environmentally friendly.
It is as important to protect people as to conserve and reduce
pollution. It would be helpful to
mention in the bill some of the conditions which can be affected by cleaning
chemicals.
B. AGENCY RESPONSIBILITY. Indicate which agencies should coordinate implementation and enforcement. Most likely RIDE and RIDOH.
C. STANDARDS DEFINITION &
PREFERRED PRODUCTS. Guidelines will be needed. The bill might reference model standards to
look to - preferably those from Missouri & NIBS. It should specifically exclude all fragranced products, which can
trigger asthma attacks and allergic reactions in susceptible people. Also, any independent staff purchases should
be required to meet the same standards as those provided by the school.
5. OTHER CONSIDERATIONS. Given agency
personnel cuts, outside help is likely to be the best way to encourage progress
on carrying out the goals of the bill.
There are a number of efforts toward healthy schools in the state,
through agencies and organizations.
These groups could be enlisted to help with follow-up to the bill. Companies providing green products should be
involved, and can offer training for maintenance people. Finally, savings could result from more
cooperative purchasing.
THE
BOTTOM LINE: THIS IS TRULY A WIN-WIN
PIECE OF LEGISLATION. IT PROVIDES A
HEALTHIER SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT AT THE SAME OR LESS COST! PLEASE PASS IT!
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MISSOURI
KIDS HEALTH COALITION
Recommendations and
Education from Doctors/Professors
http://missourikidshealthcoalition.wetpaint.com/page/Recommendations+and+Education+from+Doctors%2FProfessors Several physicians and professors have provided the
Missouri Kids Health Coalition with letters of suggestion and educational
materials. Follow the links to see
their comments:
Dr. Claudia S. Miller, M.D., M.S. Professor,
Occupational and Environmental Medicine,
Assistant Dean, MD/MPH Program,
Vice Chair, Community Medicine, Department of Family
and Community Medicine, Director,
South Texas Environmental Education and Research (STEER) Program in Laredo
& Harlingen, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
http://missourikidshealthcoalition.wetpaint.com/page/Dr.+Claudia+Miller%2C+M.D
Excerpt: “I am particularly concerned about the use of
so-called "green" cleaning products that may in fact contain
fragranced materials. Fragrances are complex chemicals. Often they are used to "mask"
other odors and can give the false impression that air is clean. Truly clean air has no smell. There are approximately 3000 chemicals used
in the manufacture of fragrances. Most
of these are synthetic and derived from petroleum, not from the flowers or
spices they emulate. Most remain
untested, so we lack understanding of the potential health effects for those
who are exposed and may be more susceptible.
One major problem is that we usually don’t know who is more susceptible
until after they become sick! Potentially hazardous
chemicals found in fragrance formulations include toluene, alcohols,
formaldehyde, styrene, benzene, limonene, musk, and phthalates. An individual fragrance formula may contain
over 100 chemicals, but their identities are protected as trade secrets, so
this information does not appear on product labels. Fragrances do not have to be tested for safety before they are
put on the market (3).”
Exposure
to fragrances can trigger asthma attacks, migraine headaches, and can aggravate
sinus conditions….In 1986, the National Academy of Sciences targeted fragrances
as one of the six categories of chemicals that should be given high priority
for neurotoxicity testing. The others
include insecticides, heavy metals, solvents, food additives and certain air
pollutants. The report states that 95
percent of chemicals used in fragrances are synthetic compounds derived from
petroleum. They
include benzene derivatives, aldehydes, and many other known toxics and
sensitizers, which are capable of causing cancer, birth defects, central
nervous system disorders and allergic reactions."(4).
Dr. Ann Steinemann, PhD
Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering Professor, Public Affairs,
University of Washington http://missourikidshealthcoalition.wetpaint.com/page/Dr.+Ann+Steinemann%2C+PhD
Dr. Doris Rapp,M.D., F.A.A.A., F.A.A.P. Board
certified in Pediatrics, Allergy and Environmental Medicine, Former Clinical
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at SUNYAB
http://missourikidshealthcoalition.wetpaint.com/page/Dr.+Doris+Rapp%2C+M.D.
Dr. Jill Stein, M.D., Board, Greater Boston Physicians for Social
Responsibility
Co-Author, In Harm's Way: Toxic Threats to Child Development, Somerville, MA
02143-3040
http://missourikidshealthcoalition.wetpaint.com/page/Dr.+Jill%2C+Stein%2C+M.D.
Dr. William J. Rea, MD, FACS, FAAEM, Founder and Director of the
Environmental Health Center-Dallas, 8345 Walnut Hill Lane, Suite 205, Dallas,
TX 75231
http://missourikidshealthcoalition.wetpaint.com/page/Dr.+William+Rea%2C+MD
Dr. Grace Ziem, M.D., Dr. P.H., Occupational and Environmental
Health
16926 Eyler's Valley Road, Emmitsburg, MD 21727-9729
http://missourikidshealthcoalition.wetpaint.com/page/Dr.+Grace+Ziem%2CMD%2C+Dr.+P.H.
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Read what nurses, disability advocates missouri citizens or nation-wide concerned individuals had to say, at: http://missourikidshealthcoalition.wetpaint.com/page/Recommendations+and+Education+from+Doctors%2FProfessors
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Review Missouri Kids Health
Coalition Concerns
& Recommendations for this committee at:
http://missourikidshealthcoalition.wetpaint.com/page/Missouri%27s+Green+Cleaning+Committee+Concerns+and+Recommendations, including the following excerpt:
In order to avoid
limiting access to individuals with asthma, allergies, chemical intolerance and
other health concerns and to keep our nation’s children, who are a vulnerable
population by their very nature out of harm’s way, a best practices
recommendation for “green” cleaning in schools would best be modeled after the National
Institute of Building Sciences and The Architectural and Transportation
Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board), “Accessibility Guidelines for Indoor
Environmental Quality” http://ieq.nibs.org/om/bi_intro.php
. Using this preexisting and authoritative guide on indoor environmental
quality from the access board to guide our schools will satisfy all the
concerns above. It provides simple guidelines that are generic, cost-effective,
fair, health oriented, all inclusive, and non-biased best practices for green
cleaning in schools in a restricted time frame, while expending the least
amount of resources. In a time of
economic hardship, when resources are limited, healthcare is sparse and health
concerns for our children are growing, it is a no-brainer decision.
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NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF BUILDING SCIENCES INDOOR AIR QUALITY REPORT
OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE, http://ieq.nibs.org/om/bi_intro.php
Recommended Actions For Facility
Managers and Operations & Maintenance Staff
http://ieq.nibs.org/om/ra_intro.php
Detailed
Recommendations for Pest Control http://ieq.nibs.org/om/app_pests.php
Detailed
Recommendations for Cleaning & Disinfecting http://ieq.nibs.org/om/app_cleaning.php
Here are letters from
disability organizations:
http://missourikidshealthcoalition.wetpaint.com/page/Recommendations+from+Disability+Organizations
Additional resources:
http://missourikidshealthcoalition.wetpaint.com/page/Asthma+and+Developmental+Disabilities+Resources
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NY OFFICE OF GENERAL SERVICES
June 2007 Environmentally Sensitive Cleaning &
Maintenance Product
School Impact Report Pursuant to Chapter 584 of the Laws of 2005. www.ogs.state.ny.us/bldgadmin/environmental/2007GreenCleaningSurveyFinalReport072707.pdf
Environmental Services Unit: Green Cleaning, E-Mail: nysogsesu@ogs.state.ny.us
www.ogs.state.ny.us/bldgadmin/environmental/default.html
NYS/OGS funded and participated in the revision of the (Green Seal, Inc.) GS-37 Standard for industrial and institutional cleaners, which was finalized by Green Seal on August 29, 2008. These changes/updates, when adopted, should better protect the health of children, janitorial staff, employees & visitors within state agencies and school districts, as well as the environment. NYS/OGS is also funding and participating in the development of a voluntary web based Green Cleaning Training Program to help school districts and state agencies better utilize their resources for cleaning purchases & practices. Some web resources: