Healthy Cleaning Goes to the Head of the Class

The primary function of any housekeeping department is to create a healthy environment that will maximize the performance of those working within the building. This is particularly important in schools where a student’s health will directly impact the learning process.

Stephen Ashkin, president of The Ashkin Group, Bloomington, Ind., once said, “We often clean buildings as if they were empty. We want to make them nice and shiny, but we sometimes lose site of the activities going on inside. It is the custodial department’s job to make schools a place suitable for students to learn.”

The Price of Green
Studies show that although they are aware of the benefits of green cleaning, school officials are reluctant to fork out the cash necessary to implement a program. A recent report released by the American Federation of Teachers, American Institute of Architects, American Lung Association, Federation of American Scientists and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), compares both the costs and benefits of greening an educational facility.

The report concluded that green schools cost less than 2 percent (roughly $3 per square foot) more than conventional schools, but the financial benefits can be 20 times that amount (roughly $70 in profit per square foot). Specific areas of savings and benefits include: energy and emissions reduction, water and wastewater savings, asthma reduction, cold and flu reduction and teacher retention.

Attendance is also impacted by physical appearance. Reports show that 64 percent of college-aged students strongly agree that the condition of a facility will directly impact their decision to attend a college. In fact, 70 percent of those surveyed said maintenance issues in a residence hall would cause them to change colleges, while 44 percent would change if classrooms were poorly maintained.

Green supporters comment that although the initial cost is sometimes difficult to see beyond, the financial and environmental returns are tenfold. More importantly, though, are the benefits that can’t be measured: reduced absenteeism, improved test scores and a comfortable, productive and healthy work environment for students and staff.

Tools for Schools
There are various programs available to make green cleaning easier for a custodial crew. The American Lung Association, partnered with Pro Team, has stepped up to promote healthy work environments for students and faculty with the promotion of the “Tools for Schools” campaign. This program specifically focuses on promoting awareness and education about indoor air quality issues in schools.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, a classroom of 30 children will harbor at least two children who have asthma, which is the leading chronic disease cause of school absenteeism.

To help improve the air quality inside educational facilities, the American Lung Association recommends the use of the “Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Kit,” developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with the help of the American Lung Association. The kit is an easy-to-use checklist that specifically focuses on the importance of entry mats and “clean vacuuming.”

With 50,000 brochures already distributed to school administrators around the country, the American Lung Association is hoping to educate custodial crews on ways they can reduce asthma triggers and improve the overall air quality within a school.

Healthy Schools Campaign
Another program that started up in 2006 is the Healthy Schools Campaign’s (HSC) “Quick and Easy Guide to Green Cleaning in Schools.” The goal of this program is to promote green cleaning in and educate faculty and parents about the benefits.

According to the HSC, each school day, roughly 53 million students and five million staff members attend school. This represents roughly 20 percent of the American population. The EPA reports that half of these people may be exposed to polluted indoor air, lead, asbestos, chemical fumes, pesticides, molds and other toxins, along with overcrowding and poor sanitation.

The HSC Guide was developed to educate faculty about the importance of green cleaning and help custodial departments implement a successful green cleaning program. HSC is working together with Ashkin and a number of industry manufacturers to develop the eight-page handbook and accompanying CD-Rom.

Supporters include: JohnsonDiversey, EcoLab, Unisource Worldwide, Pro Team, SCA Paper, Anderson Company, PortionPac, Spartan Chemical Company, Speeds-Microfiber Cleaning System, Wausau Paper, Coastwide Laboratories, Georgia Pacific, GO-JO, ISSA, Kaivac Cleaning Systems, Rochester Midland, Unger Enterprises, Misco Professional and United Laboratories.

To date, almost 50,000 copies of the Guide have been distributed to school administrators, teachers and parents nationwide. The program has received so much attention by educational personnel that HSC has approved a second version, scheduled for distribution in April of this year.

LEED for Schools
The push towards cleaning for health continues to grow, specifically as states such as New York require that all schools incorporate green cleaning products and procedures. To keep up with the growing trend, the USGBC has introduced Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for Schools, scheduled to launch early this year.

The LEED for Schools rating system will focus on the design and construction of K-12 school buildings and will specifically target children’s health, school site issues and educational spaces.

According to the USGBC, a recent study revealed that a green-certified building can save an average school roughly $100,000 a year — enough to hire two additional full-time teachers. Reports also indicate that green schools provide healthier work environments, which increases student performance and improves teacher retention.

Clearly, the cleaning functions have an impact on an organizations bottom line.