Green Cleaning in Health Care

Enviro-Solution Overview 12 years Proven Solutions Single Focus Many Major Customer 7+ years Key Hospitals: MUHC Chinese Hospital Sacred Heart and More……

Clean, Cleaning, Cleaning Services Clean = free of unwanted matter; different levels Cleaning = management of the process (procedures) Cleaning Service = explains how

We clean to protect health Extract contaminants Particulates Dust Allergens Moisture Mold Food Source Pest Control

Why We Clean Most basic form of environmental management! (Quality of life and the impact on the environment) Reduce Exposure Reduce Risk

Cost & Clean Cost is relevant to the level of clean Benefits of increasing levels of clean is great

Factors of Environmental Risk ExposureEffects Environmental Quality Sources Sinks Ventilation CostsRisk Level Source Removal and/or Modification - Dilution Rate - Work Loading/Activity Management - Cleaning & Maintenance Procedures - etc. Mitigation

TACT Principle Temperature Action Chemical - pH -surfactant -builder -dilution -etc. Time

Cleaning VS Disinfecting VS Sanitizing More critical to clean effectively and use sanitizer for direct contact surface 2 step process Most use poor cleaners, disinfectants incorrectly Therefore, most do not clean nor disinfect effectively nor to the required levels

Green Cleaning VS Use of Traditional Products Green is Proven Safer for Users Occupants of the building Patients Healthcare Staff Visitors to the building Environment

A safe environment is no foreign objective for healthcare facilities. Great care is given in many areas. But, does the impact of cleaning programs sustain the same scrutiny?

Impact of Cleaning? Some of the most prevalent ingredients in traditional cleaning products are known or suspected as causing: Respiratory disorders Skin & eye irritations Skin & eye burns Endocrine system disruptions Liver & kidney malfunctions Blood & nervous system damage

Who is affected? Everyone! Direct contact Indirect contact Indoor air quality

VOC’s Residues Adverse Reactions Reactive Flammable Persistent, Bioaccumilative, Toxic Environmental Impacts

Contaminants indoors can be two to five times worse than these outdoors. Athsma increased by 160% since 1960 Poor indoor environmental quality is suspected to be linked to health issues.

People on average spend 90% of their time indoors Tighter buildings Poor air circulation More people in the same space Improper cleaning results in lost productivity costing $60 Billion Annually

The Environment 6 Billion pounds of chemicals 4.5 Billion pounds of paper 35 Billion Plastic Liners Equipment

...And Separating Fact From Fiction

Green Seal /ECP Certification USA EPA Design for the Environment (DTE) Self-Certification Biobased Products Naturally Occurring Biological Products Home Remedies Environmental Claims & Self Certification

“Green” Cleaning: Cleaning to protect health without harming the environment. “Green” Cleaning is more then just switching a few traditional chemicals with naturally derived alternatives. …products and services that reduce the health and environmental impacts compared to similar products and services used for the same purpose.

Aquatic Toxicity Aquatic biodegradability Eutrophication Packaging Fragrances Prohibited Ingredients Training Animal Testing Performance Tests Human Toxicity Carcinogens & Reproductive Toxins Skin & Eye Irritation Skin Sensitization Combustibility Smog Production/ IAQ (VOC’s)

Consensus, independent,public review National, not local Save resources Third party authority, insulation Based on recognized good science Meet mandates Makes it easier for all of us

Green is here to stay! Results conclusive Not going to be a passing fad Green cleaning with high performance cleaning is risk management and risk reduction

Other Green Resources Folder Overview of Green Cleaning Overview of Cleaning for Health Enviro-Solutions Website Presentations & Reports “Cleaning for Health” by Inform Others Other Helpful Sites ECP for Healthcare Occupational Health Indoor Air Quality

Questions & Answers

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