Glossary of Terms

Elemental Chlorine Free. Elemental (pure) chlorine is the most hazardous form of chlorine used in the process of making paper. Even if paper is elemental chlorine free, the manufacturer may still use chlorine compounds, such as chlorine dioxide, which are also very hazardous. Whenever possible, choose Processed Chlorine Free (PCF) paper that uses hydrogen peroxide for whitening instead of chlorine in any form.

Endocrine Disruptors: These are synthetic chemicals that can create changes in the hormones in humans and animals. These “hormone disruptors” can cause cancer, birth defects, and immune problems. Even very small amounts can interfere with growth and normal development of children, reproduction and can cause permanent mental, learning, and behavioral disabilities.

EPA Registration: The US EPA requires that any product that makes a claim as a disinfectant or other pesticide be registered under the Federal Insecticide Fungicide and Rodenticide Act. Among other things, EPA registration ensures that the product is effective for the target organism and that there is a “reasonable certainty of no harm” to human health or the environment when the product is used according to the label. The label must include a statement based on the product’s toxicity with the word: “Caution” for the least toxic, “Warning” for moderately toxic or “Danger” for the most toxic products.

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ): EPA estimates that Indoor Air Quality is typically two to five times worse than outdoor air and can be up to 100 times more polluted. Fifty percent of schools have indoor air quality problems. Many traditional cleaning products contain harmful chemicals that contribute to poor indoor air quality. Students are at greater risk because of the hours spent in school facilities and because children are especially susceptible to pollutants.  For more information visit www.epa.gov/iaq/index.html.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM): IPM is a method of pest control that emphasizes correcting the root cause of pest problems and promotes the use of non-toxic methods to address existing pest problems. Some states have passed laws mandating IPM practices while others have purely voluntary programs. CLICK HERE for more information in IPM. To find out about the laws in your state, visit www.epa.gov/pesticides/ipm/index.htm.

ISO 14000: The environmental management series of standards set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The standards lay out the principles and procedures to be followed in the labeling of products and services for environmental attributes. ISO standards are intended to harmonize standard-setting activities and to avoid international disagreements.

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs): MSDSs are information sheets that are available on cleaning products containing toxic chemicals made in the United States used in schools and other commercial applications. It is a good source of information for chemicals’ physical properties, toxicities, as well as treatments for poisoning. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that schools keep MSDSs on site for every hazardous chemical in the buildings. For more information go to www.msdssearch.com. Visit Documents and Links for an in-depth explanation of MSDS sheets.

Microfiber: Microfiber is a special synthetic fiber approximately 100 times finer than a human hair. Microfiber is split during manufacturing to increase the product’s capability to hold oil, grease, and dirt rather than just pushing it around like ordinary cloth. Microfiber dries quickly, eliminating much of the bacterial growth found in slower drying cloth.

Minimum Post-Consumer Content: The EPA’s Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines (CPG) for recycled paper requires federal agencies to buy recycled products with post-consumer content, ideally 100%, but minimally: Facial Tissue – post-consumer content: 10% minimum Hand Towels – post-consumer content: 40% minimum Industrial Wipes – post-consumer content: 40% minimum Bath Tissue – post-consumer content: 20% minimum For more information or to download the complete guidelines, visit www.epa.gov/cpg/rman2.htm.

Populations with special needs: Individuals with pre-existing medical conditions, chemical sensitivities, allergies or compromised immune systems that make them more susceptible to cleaning products or processes. This group is a significant priority and good communication with them is an important factor for success.

Processed Chlorine Free (PCF): Paper made without the use of additional chlorine, known as “ Processed Chlorine Free” or “ PCF.” Most paper is bleached to make it perfectly white. The traditional bleaching process uses chlorine, which when it enters the environment can produce dioxins and furans, deadly chemicals known to cause cancer and developmental problems, and that persist in the environment. Furthermore, one of the major production methods of chlorine requires the use of mercury cells, which release this heavy metal and known neuro- and developmental toxin into the environment.

pH: The pH scale is based on a range from 0 – 14, with 0 representing the most acidic pH level, and 14 the most alkaline. Each step away from neutral (pH = 7) in either direction is 10 times as strong as the previous number. A solution with a pH of 11 is 10,000 times more alkaline than a 7.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) : PVC, commonly known as vinyl, is found in practically everything made of plastic, for example: water pipes, siding, telephone cords, credit cards, shower curtains, sandwich bags, etc. It poses environmental problems during manufacturing and disposal. Extremely dangerous chemicals, including chlorine compounds, are used in the production process. Disposal is also a problem because it does not readily biodegrade and it can create dioxins upon incineration. There are not large markets for products made from recycled PVC due to its lower performance standard. For more information see the United States Green Building Council website at www.usgbc.org.

Recycled Content: Most paper products have no recycled content. Those that do are generally described in terms of the percentage of recycled content, including: Total Recycled Content, which measures the amount of recycled material from any source. Pre-Consumer Content, which identifies the amount of material recycled before entering the market, e.g., when a printer collects and recycles unsold magazines directly from the factory or distributors' warehouse. Pre-consumer content paper is easier to find, get in large quantities, separate and manage. Post-Consumer Content, which measures the amount of material that comes from recycled household waste and was specifically established by the EPA to encourage the development of curb-side/household recycling. By encouraging the use of Post-Consumer Content products, the EPA hopes to make curbside pickup more cost effective and develop the infrastructure to collect, separate and sell recyclables to companies that use the materials to make new products.

Ready-to-Use (RTU): Packaging that requires no mixing or dilution.

Stewardship: The concept came from the President’s Council on Sustainable Development (PCSD), which states that the responsibility for reducing [environmental] impacts is shared among product manufacturers and distributors, cleaning personnel, building owners/managers and occupants. ASTM International (originally American Society for Testing and Materials) published E1971-05 Standard Guide for Stewardship for the Cleaning of Commercial and Institutional Buildings, which establishes standards for the stewardship of cleaning and housekeeping operations for institutional and commercial buildings. These standards are available for a fee. For more information visit www.astm.org.

Totally Chlorine Free: This is the logo reserved by the Chorine Free Products Association for paper made from virgin fiber papers that have been produced without the use of pulp bleached chlorine and chlorine compounds.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): VOCs are chemicals used to manufacture and prepare many building materials, interior furnishings, textiles, office equipment, cleaners, personal care supplies, and pesticides. "Volatile" is a term meaning that these chemicals evaporate, or get into the air easily at room temperature. That is why they are an indoor air concern. Studies by the EPA and other researchers have found that VOCs are common in the indoor environment and that their levels may be ten to thousands of times higher indoors than found in the outdoor air. There may be anywhere from 50 up to hundreds of individual VOCs in an indoor air sample. The majority of these VOCs are emitted by indoor materials and processes. Some may produce odors at very low levels that are considered objectionable. Many VOCs are irritants and can result in headaches and eye, nose and throat irritation, and dizziness. At high concentrations, some VOCs are toxic. For more information, visit www.aerias.org/.

Zone area cleaning : Cleaning in which a person is assigned to a “zone” or specific area. Zone cleaning is distinguished from “team cleaning” that creates teams of people, with specialized functions (i.e. vacuuming, dusting, sweeping, etc.).