The following article may be useful in getting less-toxic cleaning products in use in your schools. The original (1996) version raised awareness of the need for more careful selection of cleaning and maintenance products in Nova Scotia schools, and contributed to better selections across the province. Some of the products,… read more →
Executive Summary: School Cleaning Product Choice: Research into Options Citizens for A Safe Learning Environment (CASLE) November, 2000 This report is based on research done for a school board Product Evaluation Committee which had the overall mandate of developing a procedure(s) for choosing least-toxic, effective, cost-effective products for use in the schools through… read more →
The Guide to Less Toxic Products Environmental Health Association of Nova Scotia The Environmental Health Association of Nova Scotia (EHANS) produces the Guide to Less Toxic Products. This on-line guide provides information on less toxic personal products, cleaning materials, baby products and more. The Guide divides products into three categories:… read more →
Laundry Products can be Toxic Excerpts From: “Toxins in Every Day Household Products” Interview with Anne Steinemann, PhD http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/04/26/toxins-from-laundry-products-emitted-from-dryer-vent.aspx A new study finds more than 600 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are being emitted from dryer vents from commonly used laundry products, two of which are known carcinogens and unsafe at… read more →
Did you Know? (about cleaning products) In general, choose products that are less-toxic, fragrance-free, contain no dyes, preservatives, solvents, toxins, phosphates, caustics, chlorines, carcinogens, mutagens, teratogens, and endocrine disruptors. Spray cleaners are not hypoallergenic by nature. Those most knowledgeable about producing hypoallergenic products avoid supplying products in spray bottles. This… read more →
EMISSIONS FROM CLEANING PRODUCTS TYPE OF PRODUCT CHEMICALS EMITTED AEROSOL PROPELLANTS: propane, nitrous oxide, methylene chloride, formaldehyde AIR FRESHENERS/ MOTHBALLS: paradichlorobenzene, fragrance chemicals DISINFECTANTS: phenol, cresol, sodium and/or potassium hydroxide (lye), ammonia, pine oil, formaldehyde, chlorine SOAPS/DETERGENTS: alcohol, formaldehyde, phenols, ethers, glycols, fragrance chemicals, benzylalcohol DESK CLEANSER: limonene, undecane, p-Cymene WINDOW CLEANERS: ammonium… read more →
Citrus and Pine Cleaners: Natural Ozone can combine with Pine and Citrus to form chemicals such as formaldehyde and acetone Influence of ozone concentration and temperature on ultra-fine particle and gaseous volatile organic compound formations generated during the ozone-initiated reactions with emitted terpenes from a car air freshener. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18336999… read more →
What About Cleaning with “That Lemony Smell”…Citrus? 2015 Some school boards and consumers choose to purchase citrus-based cleaners without being aware that these may pose health concerns. “But citrus is “natural” and “green”, isn’t it?” Some “natural” materials are indeed less toxic, however there are plenty of examples of natural… read more →
Children are some of the more vulnerable members of society. Existing standards were designed for minimum protection of adults in industry. Until recently, there has been remarkably limited knowledge in general use about children’s Environmental Health and Safety. It is wise to exceed existing indoor environment quality standards where children… read more →
School Cleaning Product Choice: Research into Options Citizens for A Safe Learning Environment (CASLE) November, 2000 Executive Summary School Product Choice: Research into Options Citizens for A Safe Learning Environment (CASLE) November, 2000 This report is based on research done for a Nova Scotia school board Product Evaluation Committee… read more →