All types of facilities, including immediate care facilities, are placing a greater emphasis on building and operating in an environmentally responsible manner. This involves the use of green cleaning chemicals, which are now widely accepted and in many cases preferred over conventional cleaning products.
However, although healthcare facility managers may wish to select environmentally preferable disinfectants, at this time, it is not possible. This is because the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prohibits any manufacturer or janitorial distributor from labeling or marketing a disinfectant as green, even if it has been green certified by a recognized and respected certification organization.
This policy is based on the EPA’s determination that the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) is sufficient assurance of a product’s safety and effectiveness, said Stephen Ashkin, president of The Ashkin Group, a leading advocate for green cleaning. “In fact, they [EPA members] believe any other or additional claims may be misleading.”
However, many healthcare facility managers, certification organizations, and leaders of the professional cleaning industry are beginning to question the EPA’s view. They believe that if a disinfectant meets all “kill claims” and other requirements of a hospital-quality disinfectant, but has a reduced impact on users, building occupants, and the environment, green certification and labeling should be allowed.
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