Better Indoor Air Quality for Child Care Centers

What is Indoor Air Quality?

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

1. the

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,

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

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

Regulations Require
Pest-free environment 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

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

Air Contaminants

Ingredients Disclosed

Asthmagens Detected

Carcinogens Detected

Comet 146 Disinfectant Powder Cleaner Febreeze 89 Air Effects Simple Green Pine-Sol Cleaner Citrus Scrub 90 93 18 56

3 1 3 3

0 3 1 0

1 3 1 1

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

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

Regulations Require
A hospital-grade disinfectant for:

Hard surfaces

Bathrooms, door knobs, table tops, diapering areas

A food-grade disinfectant 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

Disinfecting Issues
Organism
Pseudomonas aeruginosa Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

Kill Time
30 seconds 4 minutes 1 minute
Spray 6-8 inches from surface until surface is thoroughly wet. Allow this product to remain wet for contact time listed. Then wipe. For heavily soiled areas, a pre-cleaning is required.

Label Directions

Toxicity Signal Word HMIS Health Rating

CAUTION 0

Consult the Label & EPAs Website

Listings of EPAs registered antimicrobial products for specific diseases: http://www.epa.gov/oppad 001/chemregindex.htm

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Identifying Safer Products

Active Ingredients Signal Words: DANGER POISON WARNING CAUTION

DANGER POISON
Veneno del Peligro

Understanding Signal Words

Highly hazardous

DANGER
Peligro

Severe Eye Damage or Skin Irritation

WARNING
Aviso

Moderately hazardous

CAUTION
Precaucin

Slightly hazardous
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Source: PSU Pesticide Education Program

Identifying Safer Products

Disclose ALL ingredients on label No harsh Signal Words on label:

Poison, Danger, Warning, Caution

Plant or bio-based ingredients pH Neutral (~7) Non-aerosol No overwhelming chemical odor

Identifying Safer Products

Third-party certified

Green Seal EcoLogo EPAs Design for the Environment

Cleaning for Health Principles

Keep the dirt out Use less-toxic, third-party certified,

cleaning products and hand soaps

Disinfect only in high-risk areas or

where required by law

Update and maintain cleaning

equipment
Breathe easier avoid scented

products, clean doesnt have a smell

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Integrated Pest Management

What Is A Pesticide?

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What Is A Pesticide?
_____ - cide means to kill Rodenticide Insecticide Herbicide Anti-microbials (kills rodents) (kills insects) (kills plants) (kills germs)
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Indoor Products That Are Pesticides Disinfectants and sanitizers (e.g. Bleach)
Cockroach sprays and baits Rat and other rodent poisons Products that kill mold and mildew Anti-microbials (e.g. anti-bacterial hand soap)
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National Survey of Environmental Health in Child Care Centers (2006)

Findings included: Residues of pesticides left on tabletops, desks and floors

75% of centers used pesticides

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Did You Know? Top 10 exposures for children under the age of 6 Pesticides are ranked # 8
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Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Manages pest problems by Using non-chemical approaches (cleaning, traps, barriers) Using least-toxic pesticides when necessary (baits, gels) Eliminating the use of harmful pesticides (aerosols, foggers, sprays)

How Do We Control Pests?

1. Exclusion

Seal up entry ways Remove pests food, water & shelter 2. Inspect and Monitor 3. Identify Pests 4. Manage Existing Problems

Routine spraying is not a part of IPM!

Keep Pests Out

Fill all holes like these

Check for entry points in the foundation..

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Sanitation
Keep dumpsters tightly closed and away from

the facility Store food and materials in pest proof containers (plastic tubs for materials) Clean up spills and food immediately Vacuum on a daily basis

Remove Pests Shelter

Clutter provides lots of hiding spots AND covers up evidence of a growing problem.
Yes, that is a roach.

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Monitor for Pests

DONT WAIT FOR THIS!

USE AN EARLY WARNING SYSTEM!

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Treat Existing Pest Problems Safely

Use multiple methods to address existing pest problems (take an IPM approach) Realize the same methods may not work for different pests Once the pest problem is under control, use preventative measures to keep it from reoccurring
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Effects of Pesticides
Asthma
Cancer Neurological damage (ADHD) Immune system damage Endocrine disruption Damage to wildlife and the environment
Asthma
Birth Defects Allergies

Cancer

Brain Damage

Develop -mental Insect Resistance

Infertility

MCS

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Benefits of Green Cleaning and IPM

Prevents exposures for users Protects the health of children and other

home 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, San Francisco School of Nursings California Childcare Health Program, IPM Presentation http://www.ucsfchildcarehealth.org/html/pandr/trainingcurrmain.htm

Informed Green Solutions

For more information contact: Carol Westinghouse westies@ecoisp.com www.informedgreensolutions.org 802-626-8643 Funding for this project was provided by the Northeastern IPM Center.