Slide1: “GREEN” FLOOR CARE www.ENVIRO-SOLUTION.com • Resource Center • Presentations & Reports • Other Helpful Sites


Slide2: OVERVIEW The demand for ‘Green Seal’ or ‘Environmental Choice Program (ECP)’ Certified cleaning products has grown dramatically over the past 6 to 12 months To support the demand for ‘Certified Green Products’ Green Seal and ECP has released Criteria for Floor Finishes, Strippers and Carpet Care The draft criteria can be found on their respective websites


Slide3: OVERVIEW Check out the Green Seal “Choose Green Report” at www.greenseal.org/recommendations/CGR_floorcare.pdf It is a very informative 12 page report providing an overview of the market, health and safety hazards of traditional products, etc. Note pages 7 & 8 for the recommended products


Slide4: 2) WHY THE NEED FOR “GREEN” FLOOR CARE Annually, Americans spend over $1 billion on floor care products The institutional/commercial cleaning industry employs 2-3 million custodians From 1993 to 1997, 12% of work-related cases in four major States were associated with exposure to floor care products Most people spend 90% of their time indoors Floor Care products contribute to Indoor Air Pollution


Slide5: 2) WHY THE NEED FOR “GREEN” FLOOR CARE Safer for cleaning workers, building occupants and visitors, and the environment Easy to do Works as well No more costly & can improve productivity


Slide6: 2) WHY THE NEED FOR “GREEN” FLOOR CARE Environmental & Human Health Concerns of Floor Care Products VOC’s Contribute to Indoor Air Pollution Can cause nose & lung irritation, rashes, headaches nausea and asthma 2 Butoxy Ethanol (111-76-2) also known as Ethylene Glycol Butyl Ether (EGBE) Common ingredient in strippers US-EPA considers this ingredient a possible human carcinogen Also considered a learning toxicant


Slide7: 2) WHY THE NEED FOR “GREEN” FLOOR CARE Environmental & Human Health Concerns of Floor Care Products Ethylene Glycol Butyl Ether (EGBE) 111-76-2 & Ethylene Glycol Ethyl Ether (EGEE) 110-80-5 or Ethylene Glycol Methyl Ether (EGME) 109-86-4 Has been found to cause birth defects and damage to reproductive organs Potentially hazardous through both inhalation and skin contact


Slide8: 2) WHY THE NEED FOR “GREEN” FLOOR CARE Environmental & Human Health Concerns of Floor Care Products Zinc Component of many floor finishes Can be toxic to aquatic life in streams, rivers & lakes Endocrine Disrupters Synthetic chemicals that can create changes in the hormones of humans and animals Can cause cancer, birth defects and immune problems Even very small concentrations can interfere with reproductive and many biological processes


Slide9: 2) WHY THE NEED FOR “GREEN” FLOOR CARE Environmental & Human Health Concerns of Floor Care Products APE’s / NPE’s Surfactants found in floor finishes Bioaccumulations and the possibility of acting as environmental endocrine disrupters Ammonia Found in some strippers Severe respiratory tract irritant, and exposure to its fumes may trigger immediate attacks in chemically sensitive individuals such as asthmatics


Slide10: 2) WHY THE NEED FOR “GREEN” FLOOR CARE Environmental & Human Health Concerns of Floor Care Products MEA (Monethanolamine) Used to replace ammonia Direct eye contact may cause severe eye irritations or burns May be absorbed through the skin in harmful amounts Inhalations may irritate the respiratory tract and cause central nervous systems effects such as dizziness or headaches


Slide11: 2) WHY THE NEED FOR “GREEN” FLOOR CARE Environmental & Human Health Concerns of Floor Care Products Solvents A small number of floor finishes may use Can be present in high enough concentrations to cause it to be flammable


Slide12: 3) PICKING SAFER FLOOR FINISHES & STRIPPERS Pick ones that work well and have the least amount of hazardous ingredients Do not contain carcinogens or reproductive toxins Free of zinc or other metals Do not contain ammonia, ammonium hydroxide, or ammonium salts Do not contain dibutyl phthalate or alkylphenol ethoxylates/NPE’s Do not contain 2-Butoxy Ethanol (EGBE) or Ethylene Glycol Ethyl Ether (EGEE) or Ethylene Glycol Methyl Ether (EGME) VOC concentration no more than 7% by weight for finishes and strippers with no more than 7% VOC’s when diluted


Slide13: 3) PICKING SAFER FLOOR FINISHES & STRIPPERS Pick ones that work well and have the least amount of hazardous ingredients Total phosphorus concentration of 0.5% by weight or less pH no higher than 11.5 Flash point above 150 F Products in recyclable or refillable containers Select both the floor finish and a compatible stripper to meet these criteria


Slide14: 4) Comparison of ECP & Green Seal Floor Care Products- MAIN Criteria


Slide15: 5) Enviro-Solutions and ‘Certified Green’ Floor Care We are in the process of getting various products certified by both Green Seal and Environmental Choice In the meanwhile, Enviro-Solutions has 3 products ‘recommended’ by Green Seal- ES80 High Gloss Floor Finish, ES96 High Traffic Floor Finish, and ES85 Scrub Free Stripper We have the most products of any company on the ‘Recommended List’ and are one of only a couple with a system of finishes and stripper We do have these and other products on lists of certain States and Provinces


Slide16: 5) Enviro-Solutions and ‘Certified Green’ Floor Care In addition, we have 5 products Certified by both Green Seal and ECP, thereby ensuring the most stringent Criteria has been met (including ES84C Neutral Floor Cleaner); 14 products Certified by ECP ; and various Approved by certain States, Provinces and Cities leading to be ‘Green and Clean’ In addition, our Floor Finishes and RESTORE are UL Certified for Slip Resistance We are committed to continue to lead the ‘Green Market’ with PROVEN products that:


Slide17: 5) Enviro-Solutions and ‘Certified Green’ Floor Care Work as well or better than traditional ones Are priced as competitive to the major traditional brands Are safer for people…users as well as occupants and visitors to the buildings Are safer for the environment


Slide18: 6) IMPLEMENTING “GREEN” Conclusions Going “Green” has proven over & over that there are many benefits Improved health & safety of the users of the products and the occupants & visitors to the building is the most important. The benefits to the environment, the positive effect on overall long term cost, the potential increase in productivity, are other important benefits. And there are more


Q’s & A’s: Q’s & A’s


Slide20: Thank you for your Time and Consideration! Please be sure to Visit our Web site’s “Resource Center” for other“Green” “Presentations & Reports” as well as “Other helpful Sites”!