As a state, New York was an early adopter of green cleaning legislation when it passed a law in 2006 that required all educational institutions to clean with environmentally friendly products and equipment. Today, lawmakers are proposing similar legislation that will require the same for city-owned and -leased buildings. The city recently released 25 pages of proposed regulations that would impact construction, renovation and maintenance practices in these facilities. The new rules require materials, supplies and equipment to be more environmentally friendly — either less toxic, more energy-efficient or more recycled.

The legislative overhaul would require that almost all cleansing agents must now meet Green Seal standards and emit many fewer fumes. According to wnyc.com reporting, over time, those fumes adversely affect the lungs and other tissues, increasing the likelihood people will develop asthma and other conditions. It also requires that all paint, other coatings and carpets (including glue and pads) must have very limited fumes that meet strict environmental guidelines for "off-gassing."

"These standards really do improve the health of both the city workers who come into contact with these chemicals and cleaning solvents and also the people who work in these offices as well," said Lisette Camilo, in the Mayor's Office of Contract Services.

Nilda Mesa, the head of environmental stewardship at Columbia University, says some of the green products are marginally more expensive than their traditional industrial counterparts, but "the health benefits make up for that and buying in large quantities would reduce the price difference."

At the end of March, the city will hold a hearing on the proposed regulations and after that, it can issue the final rules.

Click here to read the proposed regulations.