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Cleanlink News 4/20/2009

Greener Cleaning Mandated for Maryland Schools


In a bipartisan effort to protect students, teachers, school staff, and the environment Delegate Nic Kipke and Delegate Peter Murphy have successfully championed legislation in Maryland require public school cleaning products greener & healthier, according to reports from The Maryland House of Delegates.  
 
HB1363 now just waits for the Governor’s signature and Maryland will be the third state in the nation to mandate that their public schools use green certified products when cleaning. “The need for this requirement is obvious when you think that anyone who attends public schools is at risk because of harmful cleaning products, especially when these products contain toxic chemicals like butyl degreasers, ammonia & bleach, and other irritants. This law will protect our children, our teachers and staff, and our environment,” stated Delegate Murphy. According to Healthy Schools Network, 60 percent of students face an increased risk of asthma because of the poor air quality found in schools. Maryland is now the third state, following New York and Illinois, which have already mandated green cleaning supplies in all public schools.  
 
There is a growing national trend toward “green” products. Supporters have cited the increased lifespan of facilities and equipment that are cleaned with “green” products, as well as environmental benefits. Traditional products can also contain carcinogens and other chemicals which are harmful to the body. Green cleaning products are primarily composed of “good old-fashioned” soap and water based on natural origins like plants and natural oils where many conventional products are petroleum based.   
 
“With so many government and private entities “going green” the availability of green cleaning products has become a mainstay.  Also, the popularity of these products has increased competition which has reduced costs to a point where they are now commensurate to most traditional products,” said Delegate Nic Kipke.  “The market analysis that we conducted illustrates that many green products are actually cost less than conventional cleaners,” he mentioned.  So for the health of the kids and staff, diverting away from petroleum based products, and caring four our environment, this just makes economic sense for Maryland,” he concluded.


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