The cleaners we use in our homes and offices can be harmful to our health and our environment. In recent years, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the Washington State Department of Ecology, the Washington Toxics Coalition, the King County Local Hazardous Waste Management Program, and many others have been developing awareness of the consequences of the use of hazardous cleaning products.
Some of the attributes of cleaners that have been examined by these groups include:
Irritation potential Chronic health risks Biodegradation Bioconcentration Levels of volatile organic compounds (VOC's) Flammability Product packaging Ozone depletion potential Risks of cosmetic additives Energy efficiency
As information about the risks that may be posed by cleaning products has become available, consumers have begun to explore their opportunities to use less harmful cleaning products. As a result, the cleaning-products industry has begun to produce new products that are less harmful to human health and the environment. Many of the users of these new products report that performance can be equal, or even superior, to conventional products. Some have even experienced fewer injury-claims, saving worker-health and expense. In addition, these new products often come in concentrated form which requires less packaging and can be more cost effective.
This area is still very new, but there is a growing body of information available on this subject. Below are resources, including projects, specifications and tips for using safer alternatives to toxics, including some case studies of cleaning products that perform well and are economical.
Environmentally Preferable Cleaning Specifications
There are many good examples of jurisdictions specifying and using environmentally preferable cleaners, such as State of Massachusetts, State of Minnesota, and the City of Santa Monica. Following are the specifications that the County (Transit Division) used in 2001. The County has been involved in a national working group that is working to standardized environmentally preferable chemical specifications. The group is coordinated by the Center for the New American Dream. Follow the links in the
Environmentally Preferable Cleaner Resources section (below) for more information about what other jurisdictions are doing.A contract was established in 2001 by the King County Transit Division for the Supply & Delivery of Janitorial and Chemical Cleaning Supplies. Following are excerpts from the bid document:
General Requirements
Hazardous Chemical Communication
In order to comply with WAC 296-62-054, Hazard Communication, the Contractor shall submit with the Bid a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for all products containing any toxic products that may be harmful to the end user. The MSDS Sheet is to accompany the toxic product(s) to the specified delivery sites with each order.
Include the following information in the MSDS:
- A. Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) numbers for every chemical that is listed in the MSDS.
- B. If the product is actually used diluted, the dilution rate should be so stated in the MSDS and the hazards and corresponding personal protection, etc. also be listed.
- C. SARA Title 3 chemicals must be listed with the percentage by weight of the total product.
- D. A statement as to the intended use of the product.
Industrial and Hazardous Waste
The Contractor shall comply with all applicable local ordinances, state and federal statutes, and supporting rules and regulations governing the discharge of industrial waste to a public sewer, private sewer, or side sewer tributary to the metropolitan sewerage system
Contractor shall handle and dispose of all hazardous wastes in compliance with all applicable local, state and federal laws and regulations, including the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the Washington Hazardous Waste Management Act, and applicable rules and regulations of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Ecology governing the generation, storage, treatment, transportation or disposal of hazardous wastes.
Technical Specifications
General Scope
Many King County facilities are located on or near major waterways, therefore King County is continuing take innovative steps in using environmentally safe chemicals and janitorial cleaning products. The County will continue to require qualification testing of all new products before a contract is issued for any non-approved products. This Invitation will contain several schedules. The items listed in each schedule will be awarded to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder. Test results shall be provided at no expense to the County when requested. Although it is the County's objective to obtain the best products at the lowest prices, the following factors will influence the final determination and should be noted.
- A. Environmentally safe and biodegradable products.
- B. Product safety and product storage safety.
- C. The contractors ability to service the contract and to address problems.
The County intends to establish multi-year contracts for Environmentally safe chemicals, such as cleaners, cleansers and polishes, in accordance with the following specifications.
Environmental Chemical Products
All vendors must comply with paragraph 4-11, Hazardous Chemical Communication. The County will require the following:
A. MSDS must contain percentages of hazardous constituents.
B. MSDS must contain Hazardous Materials Inventory Systems (HMIS) codes.
C. MSDS must state intended use of the product.
D. Products must not contain carcinogens (suspected or positive).
E. Products must not contain Methylene Chloride.
F. Products must not contain butyl cleaners.
G. Aerosol propellant must not be chlorinated fluorocarbons.
H. Products must not contain chlorinated solvents.
I. Product pH must be between 2.0 and 12.5.
J. Vendors must accept return of all 55 gallon drums used for their product at no additional cost to King County.
Product Safety
The constituents of the cleaners, cleansers and polishes must not contain any of the chemicals listed in the Washington State Dangerous Waste Regulations, WAC 173-303-9903. The cleaners, cleansers and polishes must not contain any carcinogens, suspected carcinogens or mutagens and it must not be flammable. In addition, the cleaners, cleansers and polishes supplied by the Vendor must meet OSHA and any other federal, state and/or local safety requirements. The Vendor shall be held responsible for any damage to personnel, buses, or equipment directly traceable to these cleaners, cleansers and polishes.
Products whose Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) requires the use of respiratory protective equipment for use by personnel will not be acceptable
Spills
The Vendor is solely responsible for any and all spins or leaks during unloading or transporting of their product. The Vendor agrees to reasonably evacuate and warn those persons that may be affected by the spill and vendor shall clean up such spills or leaks to the satisfaction of the County and in a manner that complies with applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations. The cleanup shall be at no cost to the County.
Product Information
All bidders offering products for chemicals not listed as approved, must submit proof of testing and/or product literature including, safety and handling instructions, recommended dilution rates and MSDS sheets meeting WAC 296-62-054. MSDS sheets shall include information on the percent of the total product that each hazardous component represents.
Approved Products
As a result of previous testing, use and/or Product Testing Questionnaire approval, the following is a small sampling of products and/or manufacturers which have been identified as acceptable for Metro/ King County's use. Bidders must supply the Brand Name of products offered in order to be considered responsive.
Previously Pre-qualified Chemical Products:
Hillyard manufactured products
20/10 All Season (windshield cleaner)
Pioneer Eclipse products
Gunk Green Clean (degreaser)
Chem Station VC2490
Chem Station VC2075
Mermaids Distributing Plexi Cleaner*
Zep's Reach
Drummond Dazzler
Micro-Brush Pro Soap
Dynaco's Odor Control*
Dynaco's Clean All*
Airkem
Boraxo
Products which are not identified on the above list, and/or have never been tested, used or approved by the County and are determined to be the lowest bid offered will be subjected to the testing procedures as follows:
The successful bidder must be able to prove, with experimental documentation, the results: <100 mg/liter polar and <100 mg/liter non-polar fats, oils and grease, using the Oil and Grease Analysis described below: (Applicable for all purpose cleaner concentrate and heavy duty cleaner/degreaser concentrate only.)
Mix 4 liters of 1% solution of concentrate (i.e. diluted 100:1) with 200 grams of #3 fuel oil. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Let sit for 45 minutes, then remove 1.0 liter of water from bottom of container and run polar/nonpolar oil and grease analysis (via Method 503B, Standard Methods for Analysis of Water and Wastewater, current edition.
Additional Criteria
The County reserves the right to retain a sample of the original product supplied by the Contractor and periodical samples that is supplied under the contract to determine if the product continues to meet the required specifications.
Bulk Cleaning Products
- A. Vendor must be capable of delivering products in bulk to above ground tanks.
- B. Products must be phosphate free.
General Purpose Cleaners
- A. Products must be non-toxic according to 29CFR910.1200.
- B. Products must be biodegradable by 40CFR796.3200
- C. Products must be noncorrosive according to the Corrositex test method.
- D. Products must be phosphate-free.
- E. Products must not contain harsh acids or strong alkalis.
- F. HMIS codes must be "zeros" or "ones."
- G. Aerosol cans are not acceptable.
Schedules
Items will be identified using descriptions from previous Vendors. These items may contain the current Vendor's product numbers/codes. All bidders are invited to offer an "or equal" product. Every effort has been made to clearly identify the type of product requested. All bidder's must include the Manufacturer's Part Number and the Brand offered. Failure to identify Brands and Numbers will make bid non-responsive.
Schedule l-Brooms/Brushes/Sponges/Mops: Items associated with surface cleaning of buildings and buses. The descriptions may include just the item, i.e. Angler Broom. Bidders should provide brand name. Bidders may offer an "or equal".
Vendors are requested to submit all information pertaining to chemically treated mops and dusters offered.
Schedule 2- Cleansers: Items associated with surface cleaning of buildings and buses.
Schedule 3- Hand Cleaners: Items associated with care and cleaning of human body parts. No substitutes will be accepted for items containing the brand name Boraxo.
Schedule 4- Cleaners: Items associated with cleaning of buildings and buses.
Schedule 5- Furniture and Miscellaneous: Items associated with polishing and waxing of furniture and floors. This schedule also contains other miscellaneous items.
Schedule 6- Chemicals: Items associated with bus maintenance.
King County reserves the right to award by line items per each Schedule or Total Schedule, which ever is in the best interest of the County.
Dispensing Systems
Vendors must submit to the County any information describing appropriate and safe equipment for dispensing their product, this must include price. Chemicals which are to be delivered in 55 gallon drums must be removed by vendor when empty. Vendors must supply the County with removal plan.
Vendors who supply products in 55 gallon drums, must supply labels of their product which can be affixed to trigger spray bottles.
Everybody agrees that there are some janitorial products that are better for the environment than others, but when we all try to agree on which attributes we want to specify for purchase, it gets complicated, in a hurry. The City of Seattle, the State of Massachusetts and the State of Washington, and more have each adopted bidding criteria to begin developing some experience with environmentally preferable cleaners.
City of Seattle's RFP for Environmentally Preferable Janitorial Cleaning Products
The City of Seattle awarded a contract for environmentally preferable janitorial cleaning products. Please see the RFP for more information and the environmental criteria used. A summary of award is also available on the city's website.
State of Massachusetts RFR for Environmentally Preferable Cleaning ProductsThe State of Massachusetts recently went out to bid for Environmentally Preferable Cleaning Products. Their environmental criteria was based on a national working groups findings which has adopted Green Seal's specifications.
The State of Washington awarded a contract for Environmentally Responsible Cleaning Products (#11399). Please follow this link to view the environmental criteria that they used in the bid document.
The contract award (minus the environmental criteria) is available on the state's website at: http://www.ga.wa.gov/pca/contract/11399c.doc
Environmentally Preferable Cleaner Resources
Green Cleaning Products & Janitorial Services Office of the Federal Environmental Executive
Please follow the links above, in the Environmentally Preferable Cleaner Resources section.
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Updated: April, 2005
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