TerraChoice

New York’s Green, Clean Schools

Last year New York became the first state in the US to mandate eco-friendly cleaning products in schools (accepting, among select others, EcoLogo-certified cleaning solutions). And while New York’s leaders clearly want to demonstrate their love of Planet Earth, the biggest catalyst for the state law was the desire to reduce people’s exposure to harmful cleaning substances.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor pollution can be two to five times more hazardous than outdoor pollution, aggravating allergies and other respiratory problems. I’m lucky that I’ve never had to deal with a respiratory illness, but my friend’s asthmatic son was admitted to the hospital just days ago for labored breathing. While I certainly wouldn’t blame his school for the hospital admission, the incident has made me wonder what in my friend’s son’s environment might be making him sick.

In light of the health benefits, it seems that schools (and states and countries…) everywhere should be motivated to make a quick transition to green cleaning. And given that so many green alternatives are available in the cleaning sector, it’s hard to understand why other states wouldn’t follow New York’s lead.

Perhaps a good New Year’s resolution?

As for school procurement offices, there’s no reason not to start buying green cleaning supplies on your own, and demanding green cleaning from your vendors.