Better Indoor Air Quality for Child Care Centers

Objectives of Workshop
Familiarize you with:
the components of indoor air quality and regulations that address them some health effects of cleaning/disinfecting chemicals and how to protect yourself

ways to recognize safer products

tips for infection control

What is Indoor Air Quality?

1. the

temperature, humidity, ventilation, and chemical or biological contaminants of the air inside a building.

Indoor Air Quality

Indoor air can be 5 times more polluted than

outside air (in some cases 100 times) Products used anywhere in the building affect all the occupants

7 Principles to Make Indoor Environments Healthy

Keep it: Dry Ventilated Maintained Clean Clutter-free Pest-free Contaminant-free

What Affects Indoor Air Quality?

Office equipment (copiers, laminators)
Deferred maintenance (mold, water leaks) Combustion products (tobacco smoke,

candles, carbon monoxide) Radon

What Affects Indoor Air Quality?

Cleaning products and processes
Pests and pesticides, pet dander

Scented products (perfumes, candles,

air fresheners, fragrances)

Other chemicals, aerosols

Vermont Regulations Require

Protection from toxic substances use of nontoxic art and play materials Daily cleaning of the licensed space No devices that diffuse

airborne chemicals such as anti-pest strips, air fresheners and aerosol sprays (Lysol)

Vermont Regulations Require

Pest-free environment
Recommend integrated pest

management program

Children Are More Sensitive

Children are at greater risk than adults when exposed to toxins because

They process toxins more slowly than adults Their rapidly developing systems are more sensitive to the effects of toxins They live and play close to the ground where toxic residues collect in air and dust

Children and Toxins

Childhood exposures to chemicals in the

environment are associated with* Asthma Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Autism Cancer Learning disabilities Mental retardation
* In Harms Way: Toxic Threats to Child Development, Greater Boston Physicians for Social Responsibility, 2000

Cleaning for Health

Cleaning without adversely affecting the health of the user, other building occupants and the environment.

Health first!

Why Switch to Green Cleaning?

Research tells us that frequent users of conventional cleaning and disinfecting products have

Higher levels of occupational asthma Their children may have a greater risk of developing asthma when exposed in utero Other health effects

Studies of Health Impacts Associated with Cleaning Products Informed Green Solutions, http://www.informedgreensolutions.org/?q= publications/studies-health-impacts-associated-cleaning-products

Why Switch to Green Cleaning?

The Environmental Working Group tested 21 common

products used in California schools. They found:

457 chemicals were emitted into the air

6 known asthmagens 11 known, probable or possible cancer-causing agents and Others endocrine disruptorshealth effects are unknown

Cleaning Products
Comet Disinfectant Powder Cleaner Febreeze Air Effects

Air Ingredients Contaminants Disclosed

Asthmagens Detected

Carcinogens Detected

146

89

3
1 3 3

0
3 1 0

1
3 1 1

Simple Green 93
Pine-Sol Cleaner Citrus Scrub 90
Glance NonAmmoniated Glass & MultiPurpose Cleaner [Green Seal]

18 56

Asthma and Asthmagens

Many cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting products can irritate the lungs, and trigger or even cause asthma. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways in the lungs that results in: Wheezing Coughing Chest tightness Trouble breathing

Asthma and Asthmagens

Asthma Triggers:
Once a person has asthma, exposure to these triggers can cause an episode of asthma. These triggers include: Household Dust and dust mites Pets Cockroaches Mold Cigarettes Cleaning Products

Asthma
1 out of every 8 school-age child in VT has been

diagnosed with asthma 1 in 20 children has been hospitalized overnight for asthma Childhood deaths due to asthma have tripled in the past 15 years Asthma costs society $56 billion per year in medical and indirect costs*
Trends in Asthma Morbidity and Mortality: http://www.lungusa.org/atf/cf/{7A8D42C2-FCCA-46048ADE-7F5D5E762256}/ASTHMA1/PDF

Asthma and Cleaning Products

Common asthmagens

Ammonia Bleach (respiratory irritant) Disinfectant ingredients

Quaternary ammonium compounds

Fragrance ingredients Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

Volatile Organic Compounds

A substance that evaporates (becomes a

vapor) or off-gases at room temperature.

Found in aerosol products, paints, cleaners,

disinfectants, pesticides, new carpeting, gasoline, furniture, scented candles and other scented products.
VOCs are also associated with cancer.

Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals

Common ingredients in conventional cleaning

and pesticide products:

All-purpose cleaners Hand soaps Floor care products Fragrances Insect sprays

Affect our hormones

Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals

Girls are entering puberty earlier

six years old

Birth defects in boys

deformed genitals
Phthalates found in

plasticizers, vinyl, scented products, sealants etc.

Routes of Exposure

Breathing

Skin

Mouth

Eyes & Nose

Acute Health Effects

Eye, Nose, Throat Irritation Nausea, Vomiting Stomach Ache, Diarrhea Skin Irritation, Rash Dizziness, Tremors, Muscle Weakness Headaches Blurred Vision

Chronic Health Effects

Birth Defects
Cancer Decreased Fertility

Hormone Disruption
Immune System Damage Mutation

Nervous System Damage

Organ Damage

Vermont Regulations Require

A hospital-grade disinfectant for:

Hard surfaces

Bathrooms, door knobs, table tops, diapering areas

A food-grade disinfectant (sanitizer) for:

Mouthed toys, anything children may be touching frequently

Disinfecting Issues
Links between disinfectants, superbugs and

antibiotic resistance

Improper use of disinfectants

Use only where required by regulation or if

there is an infectious disease

Reading a Disinfectant Label

Label should list an EPA

Information

registration number. Tell us how to use the product. Some will list health hazards.

Causes eye irritation, avoid contact with skin or mucous membranes

Must give first aid instructions or

number to call for instructions. Storage and disposal instructions.

Reading a Disinfectant Label

POISON Do not use products with the POISON signal word. DANGER Keep reading the label to determine if product is a good choice for your child care center. WARNING - Keep reading the label to determine if product is a good choice for your child care center. CAUTION Better choice. Keep reading the label to determine if product is a good choice for your child care center.

SIGNAL WORD

DWE

SURFACE LL TIME TIME DWELL

Reading a Disinfectant Label

10 Minutes or longer this is a poor choice. Most child care surfaces cannot be left unused for 10 minutes or longer. SURFACE DWELL TIME 5-10 Minutes this is still too long a time period for many surfaces to be left unused in child care.

2-5 Minutes this dwell time is more reasonable for child care centers.

2 Minutes or less this dwell time is workable for most child care surfaces.

Reading a Disinfectant Label

Personal protective equipment (PPE) for Bloodborne Pathogens or regular use should be listed on labels. Gloves, goggles, aprons, masks

Personal Protective Equipment

Activity

Use the handout to answer the questions about the sample disinfectant labels.

Identifying Safer Cleaning Products

A product is safer if it:

Discloses ALL ingredients on the label Doesnt list harsh Signal Words Poison, Danger Isnt an aerosol Doesnt have an overwhelming chemical odor Is third-party certified

Identifying Safer Products

Third-party certified

Green Seal EcoLogo EPAs Design for the Environment

Procedures/Best Practices
1. Use a stream rather than a mist when you

are spraying a product. 2. Spray into the cloth instead of on the surface. 3. Wear personal protective equipment when it is recommended by the label or SDS. 4. Follow label directions

Dilute at the suggested ratio Leave a disinfectant visibly wet on the surface for the recommended dwell time.

Tips for Infection Control

Clean high-touch areas frequently Doorknobs, push bars, faucets, fountains, toilet handles, etc. Leave the disinfectant visibly wet on the surface for the recommended dwell time

How Can We Reduce the Spread of Infectious Disease?

Wash our hands to remove germs so we dont transfer them to others. Stay home when we are ill. Cough and sneeze into our sleeves. Germs get caught in our clothing where they dont live very long instead of going into the air!

Benefits of Green Cleaning

Prevents exposures for users Protects the health of children and other

building occupants Reduces the impact on the physical building Protects the environment Improves indoor air quality

Resources
EPA Healthy Child Care Website - http://epa.gov/childcare/

Environmental Working Group -

http://www.ewg.org/schoolcleaningsupplies/cleaningsuppliesoverview
Special thanks to the following for use of power point slides:

Association of Vermont Recyclers, Healthy Homes, Clean Waters Penn State Integrated Pest Management Program, Healthy Air, Space, Children http://extension.psu.edu/ipm/childcare/trainingmaterials-for-childcare-professionals

University of California, Green Cleaning, Sanitizing and Disinfecting: A Toolkit for Early Care and Education http://www.informedgreensolutions.org/?q=publication/greencleaning-toolkit

Informed Green Solutions

For more information contact: Carol Westinghouse westies@ecoisp.com www.informedgreensolutions.org 802-626-8643