On the Origin and Positive Effects of Green Cleaning
Written by: Richard L. Macher
CAUTION: READING THIS ARTICLE MAY RESULT IN LONG TERM POSITIVE HEALTH EFFECTS!
Green cleaning was born of the need for better Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). Many of us can still remember the panic in 1976 when Legionella, a.k.a. Legionnaires disease was responsible for multiple deaths at a Philadelphia convention center; it was inoculated in the air handling systems and carried through ductwork infecting hundreds of people and killing several unfortunate souls.
Many other dangerous diseases are lurking all around us. You may also be familiar with, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA), Avian Influenza (Bird Flu), Norovirus and a myriad of other harmful bacteria, fungi, virus and protozoa are all lingering, waiting for any opportunity to propagate their species.
Proper cleaning is designed to minimize and eliminate these threats. But if we aren’t careful we can create an even more threatening situation than potential diseases. The fact is that most homes, offices and public buildings use large quantities of highly dangerous chemicals to clean and maintain their properties.
There are two very serious problems with traditional cleaning chemicals. First is that these chemicals are highly concentrated and extremely powerful. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) states that the number one way that chemicals get in to our bodies is through inhalation, secondly by ingestion and they can also be absorbed through the skin causing caustic burns and then toxic in our blood. In untrained hands, many common chemicals can be deadly. Some are immediate and easily recognized threats. Others are harder to identify, chronic and occur over long periods of exposure.
The number one growing illness in the United States is Asthma. Exposure to cleaning chemicals and greenhouse gasses exacerbate asthma and may contribute to its cause. Vulnerable populations such as hospital patients, children, pregnant and nursing women, pets and the elderly are all subjected to and suffer from, exposure to dangerous chemicals and gasses. Many scientists are also linking chemical exposure to Autism, Alzheimer’s, Heart disease and Cancer.
Four of the most common cleaning chemicals used by many today, are also the most dangerous. Starting with Bleach, bleach works by breaking down the bonds that hold proteins and cell structures together. It only takes a very small amount of bleach to perform this action. Tradition and chemical companies tell us that this is an effective way to clean but we must take into account that by just smelling bleach, we are in fact damaging our bodies. Also the main byproduct of bleach is salt. Salt when combined with water forms Hydrochloric acid, this acid eats into most surfaces creating porous crevices and etching.
After bleach breaks down proteins, it begins to dissipate through evaporation of the water component. The proteins then randomly rebind with each other clinging to porous and etched surfaces and providing a new food source for microbes. Ammonia in window cleaners, Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB’s) in Pine scented cleaners and acids from toilet bowl and shower cleaners; all have the same effect.
Inhalation is the most common form of chemical poisoning. Reacting with the moisture on our soft palate, proteins in our skin begin to break down in our mouths, throats and lungs. As these proteins are destroyed our body’s natural defense system reacts to stop the threat, surrounding the invading chemicals with white blood cells to fight off the attack.
Mucous forms surrounding the chemicals, attempting to insulate them so that they may pass through our system without causing further damage. But these are not easily controlled. Compounding the problem, our bodies draw the needed moisture, oxygen and nutrients to sequester the toxins that are now flowing in our digestive tract, lungs and blood, and ultimately compromising our autoimmune systems.
Once these chemicals are in our systems, it takes a very long time for our bodies to purge them. They can continue to damage our tissues for weeks, months and even years later.
Ingestion is the second most common form of poisoning. Our bodies naturally function to absorb moisture and nutrients from our intestines. Our immune system operates by effectively processing and purging waste from our intestines. Mucous buildup in our intestines can block the absorption of nutrients, bind unwanted waste that can putrefy and contain toxins, further compounding the poisoning of our bodies.
Another critical point is that many of these chemicals when combined, accidentally or on purpose have the ability to create deadly (noxious) gases. From drops running down the side of bottles and pooling, to minor spills, or intentional mixing by amateur chemists to create a super cleaning compound, even in very small, trace amounts, they can still be deadly. Green cleaning is designed to mitigate and eliminate the risk of exposure to dangerous chemicals and it is also the main area where we can have an immediate impact on safety and building improvement.
Today’s safer cleaning chemicals are primarily comprised of Hydrogen Peroxide, Phosphoric acid, D-limonene and Soy based products. These safer cleaning chemicals are also multipurpose in their function. Allowing us to minimize the number of cleaning products we use. When we minimize the number of chemicals we use we also minimize the risk of dangerous interactions.
Green cleaning chemicals are designed to be effective using cold water which is safer, with no scald risk; they are also economically sound, using less water and saving money on water heating expenses. Green cleaning chemicals also save on building maintenance costs as they are not as corrosive as traditional chemicals and because of the minimized direct application methods, there is no splash on base boards and walls that requires additional cleaning and repainting. Although chemicals are important Green cleaning is also about the process, communication and management methods.
The International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA) is most respected industry group in the world of cleaning. They respect and apply Green Seal Standards, GS-37 for chemicals and GS-42 for green cleaning methods. Green Seal is a Third Party certification organization that works in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Agency to establish standards for environmentally friendly products. ISSA also provides the de facto standard for Cleaning Industry Management Standards (CIMS). As the chemical impact on society, environment and economy is inevitably scrutinized and closing in on stricter standards, ISSA has also created educational tracts to certify Green Cleaning Professionals (GCP). There are also several private certifications available for Green Cleaning Application. The Green Cleaning Institute of North America (GCINA) has four certification programs: Green Cleaning Application Specialist (GCAS), Emergency Response Management (ERM), Green Initiative Consultant (GIC) and also for Environmental Risk Analyst (ERA). Being educated is the way to protect our futures.
Microfiber technology is at the heart of Green Cleaning. We no longer use traditional mops or buckets. String mops are less effective and do not adequately protect against the reinoculation of bacteria and virus. Almost everyone I know has had the unpleasant experience of smelling a mildewed mop. As this mildew grows it releases waste and an ammonia byproduct. Green cleaning will provide a healthier and safer environment for all of your building occupants and visitors.
Longer lasting - Microfiber towels and flat mop heads provide twenty (20) to thirty (30) times the life over traditional mop heads and terry cloth towels and don’t leave behind dirt, dust, strands or fibers. This is the key to lower building related respiratory ailments; by trapping and removing the dirt from your environment. By removing up to 98% of bacteria and particulate from your building you also eliminate the food sources for microbes, virus’, protozoa, bacteria, fungi and pests providing for a more effective and safer foundation of integrated pest management to minimize the spread of disease.
Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) – a catch-all term that refers to a series of acute complaints for which there is no obvious cause and where medical tests reveal no particular abnormalities.
Building-Related Illness (BRI) – refers to a defined illness with a known causative agent resulting from exposure to the building air. While the causative agent can be chemical (e.g., formaldehyde), it is often biological.
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) – is recognized as a sensitivity of some people; it is generally recognized that some persons can be sensitive to particular agents at levels which do not have an observable affect in the general population.
Green Cleaning actually costs less, improves morale, increases productivity, limits liability and can be implemented immediately with no investment if you have a commercial property. In every single case I’ve analyzed, there was an immediate minimum savings of 10% over current rates and even as much as 40%. Want to see how much you can save on your current cleaning costs? Oh and by the way, you can now get a Green Cleaning kit for your home for under $150. Enough microfiber and Green Seal certified safe chemicals to clean a two thousand square foot area for up to three years. All you will need to buy later are more of the Green cleaning chemicals, the microfiber mops and pads will last a lifetime.
Call now and T & M will pay for your free confidential assessment, with no obligation.
Sincerely, Rick Office - 954-942-8768, Cell - 954-270-2407
rick@tmservice.net or rick.macher@gmail.com
Richard L. Macher (Rick) is a Business Consultant. Currently with the T & M family of companies, including T & M Environmental Services, Inc., Kelly’s Chemical and Janitorial Supply, Affordable Equipment Repair, The Green Cleaning Institute of North America and Power and Play Warehouse, Inc., all of Pompano Beach, Florida.
With a personal interest in Greening our planet, rooted in Educational processes and Productivity Planning, Rick is a qualified Epistemologist – the study of knowledge and how we acquire it. With an Executive Masters of Business Administration in Distribution Channels, BA in Mass Communications (Public Communication and Human Relations) and over 25 years of practical business experience in Technologies, Processes, Structure, Management, Sales, Marketing, Competitive Posturing, Public Relations, Distribution/Supply Chain Management, Regulatory Compliance, Liabilities and Risk Mitigation, OSHA Compliance, CEO Mastery and International business, shipping and Markets.
Rick holds seven current certifications: The International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA) as a Cleaning Industry Management, Standard Certification Expert (CIM’s - ICE), ISSA Green Cleaning Professional (GCP), OSHA – Ten Hour Occupational Safety and Health, Construction Safety and Health, Accredited by the Green Cleaning Institute of North America (GCINA) as: Green initiative Consultant (GIC), Environmental Risk Analyst (ERA), Emergency Response Management (ERM) and Green Cleaning Application Specialist (GCAS).
Contact: rick.macher@gmail.com or rick@tmservice.net Office - 954-942-8768, Cell - 954-270-2407
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