Our cleaning company is proposing to use a "Enviro Solutions - Neutral Disinfectant Concentrate #256". First, I'm not even sure which standard/certification (i.e. GS-37) I should be looking for. The reference guide is not clear about disinfectants. Second, if this doesn't meet the requirments, does anyone know of an alternative? Does anyone know which standards address "Disinfectants"?
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Megan Meiklejohn
Sustainability Operations Director, East CoastHealthy Buildings
69 thumbs up
June 12, 2012 - 1:53 pm
Hi Thomas, It can be difficult to find sustainable disinfectants, as they are comprised of harsh chemicals. The Enviro Solutions - Neutral Disinfectant Concentrate #256 does not appear to meet the required criteria (Green Seal-40 (www.greenseal.org) or Environmental Choice CCD-112, 113, 115, or 147 (www.ecologo.org)). However, it may meet the last option by meeting the “California Code of regulations maximum allowable VOC levels for the specific product category”. According to page 52 of this document; http://www.arb.ca.gov/consprod/regs/2009/regs-all-nov2010.pdf, disinfectants must have a VOC level of 1% or less by weight. If the product doesn’t meet that criteria, then I suggest searching the Green Seal and EcoLogo websites for products that meet the criteria listed above. And remember, only 30% of your purchased products by cost need to be compliant. If disinfectants only make up a small portion of the total cleaning products costs, then it may be worthwhile to find other, easier to find compliant green products such as all-purpose cleaners and janitorial paper products.
Thomas McDermott
DesignerArchitectural Visions, PLLC
2 thumbs up
June 12, 2012 - 2:31 pm
Megan,
Thank you... I had a feeling you were going to say that. I already checked the California Regulations VOC level document. I think the disinfectant is like 96% VOC by weight. We are pursing this as an ID credit for a New Construction project, so I'm not exactly sure how the 30% threshold works. I was hoping for 100% compliance. Thank you for your timely response. : )
Mary Lea Tucker
PresidentGreen Sage Consulting LLC
8 thumbs up
June 13, 2012 - 11:50 am
Thomas,
I am intrigued by the new Hydrogen Peroxide-based disinfectants by Clorox which claim 0% VOCs. You might check them out.