1 by Health hazards of Janitorial Cleaning Chemicals 127 janitors died in the US between 1993 and 2001 as a result of the cleaning products they were using. The numbers are growing for human health and environmental hazards linked with traditional cleaning products. Source: “US Bureau of Labor Statistics” – Leas:

2 According to some estimates, one-third of the cleaning products used today contains ingredients known to cause human health or environmental problems. Source: Green Seal’s newsletter – June 2004 by

3 There are 100,000 commercial chemicals in North America – perhaps 500 or less than 1,000 have ever really been studied. Source: “Cleaning For Health: Products and Practices for a Safer Indoor Environment”; Alicia Culver, Senior Research Associate; Inform Inc. / Dr. Bruce Fowler, University of Maryland. by

4 The World Health Organization estimates that 80% of all cancers are environmentally related. 2-butoxyethanol, a common ingredient in cleaning products, is a toxin suspected of causing learning disabilities in children as well as liver an kidney damage. This chemical can be absorbed directly through the skin. Source: LEAS: by

5 6 out of every 100 janitors are injured on the job because of the chemicals they are using, at an average cost of $725 in medical and lost time per reported injury. 76% of these injuries involve eye and skin irritations or burns. Source: “Cleaning For Health: Products and Practices for a Safer Indoor Environment”; Alicia Culver, Senior Research Associate; Inform Inc. by

6 Indoor Air Quality Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are found in everything from painting and coatings to deodorant and cleaning fluids. VOCs have been found to be a major contributing factor to ozone, a common air pollutant which has been proven to be a public health hazard. by

7 VOCs produces health effects in occupants ranging from headaches and dry eyes to nausea, dizziness and fatigue VOCs contribute to increased absenteeism/sick days, low moral and decreased worker productivity World Health organization estimates that 30% of all buildings experience IAQ problems Source: “Cleaning For Health: Products and Practices for a Safer Indoor Environment”; Alicia Culver, Senior Research Associate; Inform Inc.

8 EPA warns that number one environmental health problem: Indoor Air Quality Cleaning products are responsible for approximately 8% of total non-vehicular emissions of VOCs, which can trigger respiratory problems Source: Government Procurement / October 2004 by

9 50% of illness is aggravated or caused by polluted indoor air Source: American College of Allergies Most people spend well over 90% of their time indoors. Indoor Air is 2 to 10 times more hazardous than outdoor air. Source: US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by

10 EPA estimates an 18% annual production loss to American business due to poor Indoor Air Quality 20% of all employees have a major illness related to Indoor Air Pollution (such as allergies, asthma etc…) Asthma cases have increased by more than 100% since 1976 by

11 VOCs limitation: Ozone Transport Commission * The California Air Resource board (ARB) and several northeastern states are members of the Ozone Transport Commission are now regulating the VOC levels of many consumer products with the goal of improving air quality. * California has been doing that for several years. In the northeastern VOCs regulations went into effect in 2005 (NY,PA, NJ, MD, DE, DC, ME, CT, NH, RI, VA) by

12 Air Ressource Board: Section of California Code of Regulations: application Jan. 1, 2001 /enforced in 2005: made illegal all cleaning products with solvents “No person shall sell, supply, offer for sale, or manufacture for sale in California any consumer product, which at the time of sale or manufacture, contains volatile organic compounds in excess of the limits specified in the following Table of Standards.” The fine for violating air pollution regulation could be up to $50,000 per day. Source: Air Resource Board., A department of the California Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by

13 Limits in VOCs determined par Air Resource Board (California Code of Regulations) Glass Cleaner :< 3% VOCs General Cleaner: <1% VOCs (applications: concrete, tiles, walls) Carpet Cleaner: <0.1% VOCs by