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Bartlett, IL —
School District U-46 is seeking an exemption from a new state mandate that asks schools to use green cleaning products only, saying they would see a significant increase in costs if they made the change.
In light of reported health risks from traditional cleaning products including eye irritation, headaches and in some cases cancer, several states around the country have called for the use of safer, more natural, “green” cleaning products in their schools. Illinois was the second state in the country to mandate green cleaning products with the Green Clean Schools Act of 2007.
However, in a letter to members of the Senate March 4, 2009, U-46 Superintendent Jose Torres asked that the district be relieved of the mandate.
“New regulations requiring the purchase of ‘Green Cleaning Supplies’ are costing the district an additional $100,000 per year,” Torres wrote.
U-46 parent Bev Jaszczurowski said the district should rethink its decision.
“The products that have harmful chemicals in them are known to cause more asthma attacks as well as other health issues with children — headaches included,” Jaszczurowski said. “This results in more time children are out of school, which in the long run costs the district money.”
According to the Healthy Schools Campaign, chemicals in traditional cleaning products can increase asthma, the leading cause of student absenteeism nationwide. HSC asserts this not only takes away from the child’s education, but also loses the school money because the state pays the district per child per day of attendance.
In addition, the chemicals can cause respiratory problems, cancer and reproductive disorders for custodial staff, HSC says. Indoor air is typically 100 times more polluted because of these products, HSC Deputy Director Mark Bishop said. In addition, HSC points out, the cleaning industry consumes 6 billion pounds of chemicals — including nonrenewable natural resources such as petroleum — and generates 4.5 billion pounds of paper products, requiring the cutting of 35 million trees annually.
Opting out
Of the nearly 900 districts in Illinois, the state had received only four notices from schools saying green cleaning was not economically feasible as of April 2. Updated numbers were not available.
The Illinois Green Clean Schools Act of 2007 includes an exemption clause that permits schools to opt out of the law’s green cleaning requirements if it’s determined the change would increase cleaning costs, Bishop said.
“(We wanted) public record of who is opting out and the ability to reach out to schools to help them do a better job of creating a cleaning program that is healthier to kids,” Bishop said.
School District U-46 is seeking an exemption from a new state mandate that asks schools to use green cleaning products only, saying they would see a significant increase in costs if they made the change.
In light of reported health risks from traditional cleaning products including eye irritation, headaches and in some cases cancer, several states around the country have called for the use of safer, more natural, “green” cleaning products in their schools. Illinois was the second state in the country to mandate green cleaning products with the Green Clean Schools Act of 2007.
However, in a letter to members of the Senate March 4, 2009, U-46 Superintendent Jose Torres asked that the district be relieved of the mandate.
“New regulations requiring the purchase of ‘Green Cleaning Supplies’ are costing the district an additional $100,000 per year,” Torres wrote.
U-46 parent Bev Jaszczurowski said the district should rethink its decision.
“The products that have harmful chemicals in them are known to cause more asthma attacks as well as other health issues with children — headaches included,” Jaszczurowski said. “This results in more time children are out of school, which in the long run costs the district money.”
According to the Healthy Schools Campaign, chemicals in traditional cleaning products can increase asthma, the leading cause of student absenteeism nationwide. HSC asserts this not only takes away from the child’s education, but also loses the school money because the state pays the district per child per day of attendance.
In addition, the chemicals can cause respiratory problems, cancer and reproductive disorders for custodial staff, HSC says. Indoor air is typically 100 times more polluted because of these products, HSC Deputy Director Mark Bishop said. In addition, HSC points out, the cleaning industry consumes 6 billion pounds of chemicals — including nonrenewable natural resources such as petroleum — and generates 4.5 billion pounds of paper products, requiring the cutting of 35 million trees annually.
Opting out
Of the nearly 900 districts in Illinois, the state had received only four notices from schools saying green cleaning was not economically feasible as of April 2. Updated numbers were not available.
The Illinois Green Clean Schools Act of 2007 includes an exemption clause that permits schools to opt out of the law’s green cleaning requirements if it’s determined the change would increase cleaning costs, Bishop said.
“(We wanted) public record of who is opting out and the ability to reach out to schools to help them do a better job of creating a cleaning program that is healthier to kids,” Bishop said.
State Rep. Sandra Pihos, R-42nd District, of Glen Ellyn, was supportive of the bill when it passed and said she’s gotten no push back on the legislation from schools in her district.
“The sense was that as more schools try to access the products, the cost would come down to be more affordable, and schools would even pool together to make purchases,” Pihos said.
Since 2007, Illinois legislation has gone a step further by implementing a bill requiring green cleaning products be used in state-owned buildings.
“We are obviously having some positive feedback because we are able to take it a step further,” Pihos said.
Dollars and sense
U-46 officials would not say how using green products created additional costs, but supporters of the mandate are confident the switch can be made without increased expense.
“We have not heard from other districts that it is costing them more,” said Linda Knapp, environment educator at SCARCE, an organization dedicated to educating people on how to protect the environment and work towards a sustainable future. “Honestly, some of them have gone to vinegar and water to clean. So, I guess it’s kind of a matter of how far that district is willing to go to use green products and make their schools safer for kids.”
SCARCE receives funding from DuPage County, and its founder and Executive Director Kay McKeen has visited hundreds of schools in the county to help spread the word on topics such as recycling, improving air quality and conserving energy. Several years ago, she was asked by a teacher in U-46 to visit Horizon Elementary in Hanover Park. While there, she presented them with the Earth Flag, which acknowledges schools who reduce waste in the lunch room, create recycling programs and lower the amount of paper used throughout the building.
Knapp recommends downloading a guide to safe household cleaners available on DuPage County’s Web site in the environmental section. A how-to guide to help schools adopt cleaning programs also is available to order at healthyschoolscampaign.org.
Green and clean
Check out these recipes for homemade, environmentally friendly cleaning products, provided by the DuPage County Environmental Committee.
• GLASS CLEANER
1/8 cup white vinegar
1 cup water
Mix ingredients in a spray bottle. Shake and apply.
• FLOOR WAX
6 tablespoons beeswax
3 cups food-grade linseed oil
Put ingredients on the top of a double boiler over water, and heat slowly until wax is melted. Stir and pour into a heat resistant container; then apply.
• WOOD FLOOR CLEANER
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup white vinegar
Drop of lemon oil
Mix and apply. Wipe clean.
• TOILET BOWL CLEANER
Baking soda
White vinegar
Sprinkle baking soda into the bowl, then drizzle with white vinegar and scour with a toilet brush.
