In The Beginning …
Earth Day began 47 years ago, on April 22, 1970.
After 150 years of unmonitored industrial development, smog, acid rain, burning rivers and universal pollution were choking the planet.
Millions of people took to the streets. A protest against the untenable and reprehensible condition of our world began in earnest. The dawning of the age of Aquarius, aka Earth Day is now a part of our history and provenance for a clean life.
Smog was deadly. Consequently, studies began to show evidence that pollution led to developmental delays in children. And the heavy use of pesticides and other pollutants meant that biodiversity was in drastic decline.
The EPA is Born
It was a moment of revelation. Ignoring the obvious was no longer an option. Most of all, we came to terms with the reality that pollution had become “normal”. And it had to stop.
Global ecological awareness emerged with President Nixon and Congress responding to the movement rather quickly.
The Environmental Protection Agency was created just 3 months later. Most noteworthy, environmental laws like the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act were enacted.
Among many, these acts were created to protect the environment. Earth Day is a good reminder that it may be time to revisit these laws and protections.
Climate Literacy
Climate literacy is universally recognized as the engine needed for change. Knowledge is what drives individual behavioral change. As individuals become architects for a green economy, a new force emerges. This force is the basis for global change.
Groups eventually become communities. It’s within these communities that we see the change we want to see in this world. Earth Day reminds us of that. Green technologies, products, and jobs become the norm, not the exception. And that is always a good thing.
Promoting policy reforms at all levels of government is still job 1. So, get out and make some noise.
Advocating for green-oriented cleaning supplies is a good start. It’s a small cog in a very large machine, but it’s an important one. Cleaning supplies and products can create fumes, residue, and wastewater. So, eco-friendly ingredients have a big impact, huge.
Being informed and searching out eco-friendly products is totally doable. Just look for “Green Seal Certified” or the “Eco-Label Index” to verify the legitimacy of your products.
Deconstructing the Status Quo
You know what’s great? Cleaning supply manufacturers have studied the impact that their products have on the environment and people.
With this, eco-friendly Cleaning Products have become completely viable options. And that’s pretty important. Here’s why:
Our Environment
Green cleaning products must meet stringent criteria to ensure they are within the parameters of environmentally safe criteria.
Certified products are free of ozone-depleting chemicals. Plus, they’re less toxic to aquatic life, have fewer smog-producing chemicals and degrade quickly in the environment.
Additionally, green cleaning products must meet criteria concerning recyclable packaging. Nice, right?
Antibacterial Agents
Certified green hand soaps do not contain antibacterial ingredients. This is a good thing.
A U.S. Food and Drug Administration scientific study has determined that “antibacterial” soaps are no better than regular soaps. Antibacterial agents are not needed to kill germs or reduce the spread of infection.
Safety Criteria
Conventional cleaners pose safety risks. Chemical burns to eyes and skin are not uncommon injuries that users suffer when using traditional cleaning products.
Therefore, certified green cleaners that meet specific standards is critical. Green cleaning products cannot be corrosive to skin or eyes. Ingredients must meet strict criteria regarding acute inhalation toxicity, absorption through the skin, and combustibility.
Also, certified products must include proper health and safety labels. So, always check the label. Just sayin’.
Asthma
Studies confirm that conventional cleaning products can be associated with the increased risk of asthma.
Certified green cleaning products are prohibited from containing chemicals that cause asthma.
And, they must meet strict limits regarding the levels of volatile chemicals emitted. These standards reduce their contribution to smog and asthma.
Here’s the Technical Part
A study by the Environmental Working Group and Regional Asthma Management and Prevention –
“Health and Environmental Benefits of Green Cleaning Products, Protecting our Children, Teachers, School Workers, and the Environment”
reveals that green cleaning products do not contain chemicals of concern that are common in traditional cleaning products.
Their findings confirm the following:
• Carcinogens, mutagens, and reproductive toxins specifically identified as known, probable, reasonably anticipated, or possible human toxins by many state, national and international agencies.
• Heavy metals like lead, chromium, and selenium can cause neurodevelopmental damage in children and cancer as well as ecological harm
• 2-Butoxyethanol is a widely-used ingredient that damages red blood cells, causing anemia. It may also be a carcinogen and reproductive toxin. Typical home cleaning using 2-butoxyethanol products leads to air contamination exceeding established health-based limits for the workplace
• Phthalates are frequently found in fragrances in cleaning products. Dibutyl phthalate is also used in floor finishes and window cleaners. Children exposed to phthalates in indoor settings face increased risk of asthma and allergies. Human studies link alarming health effects to phthalate exposure,
• Alkylphenol ethoxylates break down into alkylphenols, potent hormone-disrupting chemicals. A Centers for Disease Control study found that the bodies of at least 51% of Americans are contaminated by alkylphenols. These chemicals survive wastewater treatment to enter rivers, lakes, and the ocean, harming aquatic life. The E.U. and Canada have banned these chemicals in cleaners.
Wow. What we can’t “unknow”, right?
We All Want to Change the World
We all want a clean world, inside and out. It’s the merging of these two practicalities that set the stage for today’s environmental acuity.
Here’s the upshot. Products that are earth friendly, kid-friendly and pet-friendly exist in harmony with killer effectiveness. Green certified products get the job done, beautifully.
If you have questions. We have answers.
Do No Harm
So, if you’d like to know more about the nuances of planet-friendly products that are kind to the ecosystem but tough on dirt, germs, grime, and grit, give us a call. Talk to one of our green team cleaning experts.
Also, as of this writing, green seal certified products are featured on our website. Your fast track link to non-guilt cleaning!
About Us
Sani-Chem Cleaning Supplies is a family owned and independently operated business.
When you call us, we answer the phone. Pretty old-fashioned in today’s world, but hey, that’s who we are. So, call us if you’d like to chat call 800.983.8280.
Sani-Chem Cleaning Supplies is run by people – not boards, stockholders or algorithms. Real people, with real experience and knowledge. We’ve been finding better ways to clean your world & serve the community since 1976.
Sani-Chem Cleaning Supplies
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