Thomas Barron Professional Engineer 925 2838121 tsbarronibm.net

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Richmond Janitorial Chemicals Project
Thomas BarronProfessional Engineer(925)
283-8121tsbarron_at_ibm.net
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Richmond Janitorial Chemicals Project

• What We Are Trying To Do
• Why Its Important
• Our Basic Message
• How We Are Delivering This Message

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What We Are Trying To Do

• Safe Cleaning Products
• Products With Low Impact
• Products That Work Well
• From Vendors Who Provide Training
• Come In Reusable Containers

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Why Its Important

• Eye Injury 1 Worker in 25
• Skin Injury 1 Worker in 40
• Inhalation 1 Worker in 100
• Ingestion 1 Worker in 1000

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Cost Of One Accident

• Medical Costs 375
• Lost Time
• Worker (2 Days) 180
• Supervisor 60
• 615 per Accident
• Long-Term Impacts Additional

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Most Dangerous Products

• Acid Toilet Bowl Tile Cleaners
• Floor Wax Stripper
• Graffiti Remover
• Some Glass Cleaners
• Bleach
• Some Metal Cleaners

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Problem Ingredients

• Toxic Chemicals
• Glycol Ethers / Solvents / Disinfectants
• Corrosives
• Sulfuric Acid / Sodium Metasilicate
• Flammable Ingredients
• Petroleum / Alcohol / Solvents

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Our Basic Messages

• Pollution Prevention
• Ingredients To Avoid
• Characteristics To Avoid
• Good Product Safety

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Pollution Prevention

• Change To Milder Products
• Reduce Chemical Use
• Dilute With Water
• Dont Use Aerosols
• Stop Dirt _at_ The Door

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Ingredients To Avoid

• Any Carcinogens
• Most Glycol Ethers
• Strong Acids Caustics
• Heavy Metals (Copper, Zinc)
• Alkyl Phenol Ethoxylates
• Di Butyl Phthalate

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Characteristics To Avoid

• Corrosive (Very High or Low pH)
• Flammable
• Volatile / Easy To Inhale
• Absorb Through Skin
• Affect Sewer Discharge
• Affect Ozone / Global Warming

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Product Safety

• Good Material Safety Data Sheets
• Clear Instructions
• Spill-Resistant Containers
• Good Labels
• Color Codes That Mean Something

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Delivering Our Message

• Chamber of Commerce
• Citizens Groups
• Janitorial Business Licensees
• Sewer Agency
• Public Events
• Newspapers

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Key Outreach Strategies

• Send Parallel Messages
• Send Repeated Messages
• Use Endorsements
• Use Variety Of Media
• Provide Free Samples Advice

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Future Directions

• Improved MSDSs
• Better Product Labels
• Product Certifications
• Better Communication With Chemical
• Manufacturers Distributors

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Concluding Thoughts

• Get Started At Your Agency
• Check Your Cleaners At Home
• Tell Other People
• Visit Us At
• http//www.westp2net.org
• Questions?