TOXICS INFORMATION PROJECT (TIP) LIBERTY GOODWIN, DIRECTOR
P.O. Box 40572, Providence, RI 02906
Tel. 401-351-9193,
E-Mail: TIP@toxicsinfo.org
WEBSITE : www.toxicsinfo.org
(Lighting the Way to Less Toxic Living)
TOXICS INFORMATION PROJECT (TIP)
LIBERTY GOODWIN, DIRECTOR
P.O. Box 40572, Providence, RI 02906
Tel. 401-351-9193,
E-Mail: TIP@toxicsinfo.org
WEBSITE : www.toxicsinfo.org
(Lighting the Way to Less Toxic Living)
RESOURCES & PRACTICES FROM OTHER STATES
NEW YORK 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:
About the OGS Environmental Services Unit
EO 134 2008 Biennial Cleaning Product Report For OGS Building Managers (Revised 10/15/08)
Response to Questions Re: Hand Sanitizing Products and Hand Cleaners/Hand Soaps
OGS Procurement Services Group (PSG)
Green Purchasing Web Page
Responses to Comments on Proposed Green Cleaning Guidelines (Rec'd 05/19/06)
"Current" Green Cleaning Guidelines for Schools
Approved Green Cleaning Product Lists
2007 School Legislation “Green Cleaning Survey” Final Report
Cost Calculator for Use in Purchasing Green Cleaning Products (Based on: Dilution Rates)
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CONNECTICUT. Website: http://www.das.state.ct.us/Purchase/New_PurchHome/Busopp.asp
An Act Concerning the Use of Cleaning Products in State Buildings. In 2007, Connecticut enacted An Act Concerning the Use of Cleaning Products in State Buildings, which requires cleaning products used in state buildings to meet “guidelines or environmental standards set by a national or international environmental certification program approved by the Department of Administrative Services.” Such cleaning products should “minimize the potential harmful impact on human health and the environment. The Connecticut Department of Administrative Services has issued a policy document to provide guidance to state agencies in regard to the purchase of green cleaning products and services. The document defines environmentally preferable cleaning products as those products certified by Green Seal.
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MASSACHUSETTS. Website: http://www.mass.gov/epp/products/cleaning.htm
Background. In 2003, Massachusetts worked with representatives of several jurisdictions to develop a set of specifications that could be used by institutional purchasers nationwide. Ultimately the process led to the adoption of the Green Seal Standard for Institutional Cleaners (GS-37) as the basis for cleaning product specifications. Massachusetts is the first of the work group members to use the new consensus based criteria that build upon the Green Seal Standard for Institutional Cleaners (GS-37). The other participants are in the process of integrating the work group’s purchasing criteria into their vendor requests.
GREEN CLEAN SCHOOLS: SUCCESS STORIES
www.healthyschoolscampaign.org/programs/gcs/success.php
Cost-Effectiveness of Green Products In 2003-2004, a Healthy Schools Campaign-led pilot project introduced green cleaning in the Chicago Public Schools.The price of Green Seal products was found to be cost-competitive with traditional products. In addition, the study found that not only were green cleaning products readily available, they also performed as well if not better than the conventional products.
Green Schools , byChristine Stapleton April 21, 2008 , www.palmbeachpost.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/palmbeach/green/entries/2008/04/21/green_schools.html Palm Beach County School District plans to phase in green cleaning products at all district schools. A three-month green cleaning pilot program at Grassy Waters Elementary School and Jeaga Middle School proved that green cleaning saves money. Seems once folks realize that going green saves money, they do it. The district saved $512.86 at one of the schools during the 3-month pilot. Imagine that kind of savings spread over the district’s approximately 180 schools. The district also claims that green cleaning “results in lower teacher absenteeism.”
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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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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:
Review Missouri Kids Health Coalition Concerns & Recommendations for this committee at:
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