viruses, something green certifiers frown upon. But, as we all know, killing microorganisms is a necessary evil, which is why the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is hoping to alleviate some of the confusion surrounding greener disinfectants.

In their ongoing pilot program of identifying safer disinfectants, the EPA is looking for products that are of the lower acute toxicity for pesticides.

There are four categories for acute toxicity classification and the lower the number, the more dangerous the product. Disinfectants classified as Toxicity Class I or II — these products have labels indicating "Warning" or "Danger" — will be unable to bear the EPA’s Design for the Environment (DfE) logo.

Once approved, the DfE label will mean these products are lower in toxicity, do not require personal protective equipment, and will not burn users skin or eyes when used correctly.


posted on 8/24/2010