Green Cleaning
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Green cleaning has been coined to describe a trend away from chemically-reactive and toxic cleaning products which emit volatile organic compounds [VOCs]. It can also describe the way residential and commercial cleaning products are manufactured. If the manufacturing process is environmentally-friendly and the products are biodegradable, then the term 'green' or eco-friendly can apply.
Standards set by the US Environmental Protection Agency [EPA] limit exposure to toxic chemicals, but do not entirely eliminate them in general. Reading the small print on labels is the only way to verify the components of a product, but manufacturing, packaging, and distribution may all contribute to environmental degradation.
Green cleaning companies are held to higher standards in general than federal or state-mandated 'green' cleaning rules. The purpose of 'going green' is to address human illnesses that arise from exposure as well as damage to the environment [water, soil, air] from disposal of these products. The role chemical exposure has in creating allergic sensitivities, reducing immunity, and contributing to cancer and other diseases, is a long-respected field of research in medicine. For example, research on human and animal exposure to formaldehyde [formalin], benzene, and other solvents has resulted in legislation to limit exposure, but has not completely banned these products. Harmful chemicals are prevalent not only in cleaning products, but also in foods, cosmetics, home construction, clothing and many industries. [[1]]
Environmentally-friendly, green products are coming on the market everyday eliminating or limiting VOCs with comparable ability to disinfect as the more traditional disinfectant products. Research in infection control has shown despite intense disinfecting, some hospital environments continue to test positive for highly-resistant strains of bacteria.
Green cleaning is a growing field and will likely have a major impact on all cleaning that attempts to protect human life and minimize environmental impact. Benefits include minimizing exposure to substances harmful to immune-compromised people as well as those who may be continually exposed to these substances.
