The EcoLogo Program released its newly-revised environmental standard for hard surface cleaners that limits products containing asthmagens or chemicals known to trigger or aggravate asthma, a disease affecting 25 million Americans and one in 10 school-aged children.

The revised standard strengthens the health and environmental requirements for certification of hard surface cleaners, specifically limits the use of asthmagens and excludes substances that are harmful to humans or the environment. These include ammonia, formaldehyde and phthalates - hazardous chemicals commonly found in cleaning products.

This broad-reaching standard covers a variety of products used at home, in schools and in other institutional and commercial environments. It includes general purpose, restroom and glass cleaners as well as dish detergents, degreasers and cleaners for cooking appliances. The standard also includes industrial, vehicle and boat cleaners.  

Limiting asthmagens is an important addition to this standard and the EcoLogo Program will continue to research the issue to ensure that future revisions keep up to date with current research on asthmagens.
         
This standards development process was supported by Jack Geibig, Director of the University of Tennessee Center for Clean Products, leaders in the development of environmental product and material standards.

For more information about this revised standard, Certification Criteria Document 146, click here.