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Environmental Safe Attributes for
A-Ben-A-Qui
Because so many different cleaning products exist, and because different janitorial crews have the freedom to use different products, practices and quantities, it is important to note that a product’s hazards are best evaluated either on a case-by-case or chemical-by-chemical basis. This type of evaluation provides users with a comprehensive list about the product – including the risks of individual ingredients and their combined effect in the product.
Several standard-setting organizations have developed guidance to assist in evaluating cleaning products. The Green Seal standard, which was recently developed with substantial industry and environmental stakeholder involvement, is comprehensive in scope. DOI recommends following Green Seal’s standards, which are the best-known and most widely accepted guidelines available. Janitorial mangers and purchasers should carefully review Green Seal’s standards and adapt or expand them to meet local needs and concerns. Green cleaning is still a relatively new concept, and managers who follow Green Seal standards will be on the cutting edge of green cleaning and will have a head start on standards that will more than likely be mandatory in the future.
Attributes differ for every green cleaning program, each which depend upon a variety of factors, such as local and regional environmental issues – health, safety, or environmental priorities – state and local regulations, building characteristics, and the use of alternative products.
The following environmental attributes are examples of those that appear in Green Seal’s standards and other green janitorial specifications:
Must not contain any carcinogens, mutagens, or teratogens designated by federal law.
(A-Ben-A-Qui does not contain any in its form)
Must not contain any ozone-depleting compounds, greenhouse gases, or substances that contribute to photochemical smog and poor indoor air quality.
(A-Ben-A-Qui does not contain any in its form)
Must have a pH between 4 and 9.
(A-Ben-A-Qui pH is 8+-.05)
Must have a flash point higher than 200º F
(A-Ben-A-Qui’s flash point is higher than 200º F)
Must not be corrosive or irritating to the skin or eyes.
(A-Ben-A-Qui is not corrosive)
VOC levels must meet or be less volatile than the California Code of Regulations maximum allowable VOC levels for appropriate cleaning product categories.
(A-Ben-A-Qui contains no VOCs)
Must not be delivered in aerosol cans.
(A-Ben-A-Qui only comes in a paste form)
Must not contain petrochemical-derived fragrances.
(A-Ben-A-Qui is fragrance-free)
Must not contain ingredients included on the Chesapeake Bay Program's Toxics of Concern list.
(A-Ben-A-Qui does not contain any of these ingredients)
Must not contain any chemicals under Section 313 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA).
(A-Ben-A-Qui does not contain any of these chemicals)
Must not constitute hazardous wastes, as defined in 40 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) Part 261, when offered for disposal.
(A-Ben-A-Qui does not constitute hazardous wastes)
Must not be toxic to humans or aquatic life.
(A-Ben-A-Qui is non-toxic)
Must not contain endocrine modifiers, alkyl phenyl ethoxylates, dibutyl phthalate, or heavy metals (e.g., arsenic, lead, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, mercury, nickel, selenium).
(A-Ben-A-Qui does not contain any of these)
Must be biodegradable.
(A-Ben-A-Qui is biodegradable, other than the filler, which is a natural substance)
Must not contain petroleum distillates.
(A-Ben-A-Qui does not contain petroleum distillates)
Must not be combustible.
(A-Ben-A-Qui is non-combustible)
Must not contain more than 0.5 percent by weight of phosphorous.
(A-Ben-A-Qui / EZ-Task phosphorous level is much less than .5 percent)
Must be biobased (i.e., utilize biological products or renewable, domestic agricultural [plant, animal, or marine] or forestry materials).
(A-Ben-A-Qui’s base is tallow, a plant and animal derivative)
Must not contain chlorinated solvents.
(A-Ben-A-Qui has no chlorinated solvents as certified by the
Totally Chlorine Free Products Association)
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