Green cleaning products are becoming the norm across the board, especially in health care facilities that house vulnerable populations, who could have mild to severe reactions to traditional chemicals. Compared to other commercial facilities, hospitals place a lot of value on proper cleaning because infection risks are of paramount importance. Health care facilities throughout the country have successfully implemented green cleaning programs while maintaining the efficacy of their infection control efforts.

Practice Greenhealth, a health care networking organization with a commitment to sustainable, eco-friendly practices, recommends facilities replace toxic or irritating chemicals with green cleaning chemicals when necessary, but without impacting the possibility for infection transmission.

Health care facilities can begin by replacing floor strippers and finishes that contain heavy metals and asthmagens, substituting low-VOC glass cleaners, employing carcinogen-free carpet cleaners and adopting general purpose cleaners with no hormone-disrupting ingredients.


posted on 9/15/2010