|
Everyone expects a hospital to be clean. However, many traditional cleaning products, floor strippers and disinfectants present a variety of human health and environmental concerns. They often contribute to poor indoor air quality and may contain chemicals that cause cancer, reproductive disorders, respiratory ailments (including occupational asthma), eye and skin irritation, central nervous system impairment, and other human health effects.
In addition, some of these products contain persistent bioaccumulative toxins (PBTs), are classified as hazardous waste, and/or otherwise contribute to environmental pollution during their manufacture, use, or disposal. Less-toxic, environmentally friendly maintenance products exist for almost all health care facility needs. More products are being developed all the time.
Using unscented "green" cleaners can reduce maintenance costs, help protect the environment, safeguard the health of building occupants, increase employee productivity and improve indoor air quality. Green Seal's Industrial and Institutional Cleaners Standard GS-37 is a good place to start for identifying environmentally preferable cleaning products. There are also several other sources for healthy and environmentally preferable purchasing.
Hospitals also use a variety of methods to disinfect and sterilize surfaces and equipment. Some of the most commonly used products, however, such as glutaraldehyde and ethylene oxide, have been shown to cause serious health effects. Alternatives to these products exist that offer effective disinfection while protecting health care workers and the environment.
Triclosan, an anti-bacterial biocide increasingly prevalent in liquid detergents and soaps (janitorial products), could enhance the ability of bacteria to resist antibiotics, and poses a long-term threat to wildlife and to human health (traces of triclosan are found in human breast milk).
|
|
  |
|
Key Resources
 Cleaning Chemical Use in Hospitals (pdf)
Cleaning for Health
10 Reasons to Eliminate Glutaraldehyde (pdf)
10 Ways to Find Safer and Greener Cleaners (pdf)
Sustainable Hospitals Project
|
