Ensure a healthy learning environment this academic year with worry-free and effective cleaning practices
With back-to-school right around the corner, our hopes for this school year are for our children to return to an in-person learning environment that is safe and healthy for all. But, unfortunately, some products used to disinfect school facilities are a better choice than others, especially for use around children.
While clean schools are important for helping to prevent the cross-contamination of germs like those that cause colds, flu, and stomach bugs, we must ensure our school's cleaning and disinfection practices promote the health of its inhabitants beyond infection control. Luckily, it's possible to achieve a healthy and effective clean by choosing less toxic products – particularly highly effective anti-microbial surface sanitizers and disinfectants that are critical to maintaining healthier school facilities.
Our kids spend a lot of time in school – up to 12 hours per day – with many of these hours in the classroom itself, so they have ample time for exposure to any chemicals left behind after school cleaning and maintenance. Many products used to clean, disinfect, and deodorize can release chemicals into the air and leave chemical residues on surfaces, such as desks and tables, which children touch for extended periods throughout the day. And, children, compared to adults, can be more sensitive to the effects of chemicals due to differences in the way their bodies are exposed and process the chemicals.
Whether it is the air they are breathing or the surfaces they are touching, these chemicals can significantly impact the health of children. Short-term effects may include irritated, itchy, burning eyes, skin allergies or irritation, dizziness, headaches, or sore throats. Longer-term effects from cleaning and disinfecting products are potentially even worse. Some chemicals from cleaning products have been shown to reduce cognitive ability 1,2 – potentially making it more difficult for kids to learn. Additionally, asthma, which affects more than 6 million – or 1 in 12 children in the U.S. 3 – is associated with exposure to common cleaning chemicals. 4
Childhood asthma is a leading cause of school absenteeism in the U.S., associated with more than 10 million missed school days each year. 5 Asthma-related school absenteeism affects most children with asthma and is linked to lower academic performance, especially among urban minority youth. 3, 5-9 With the desire to keep children learning in-person this academic year, it's important that low toxicity cleaning and disinfecting products are used in all school environments and facilities.
The good news is that low toxicity disinfectants exist, and they can be just as effective against disease-causing germs as some of the products that contain harsher chemicals.
What to look for in disinfectants used in schools:
- Lowest toxicity EPA rating of "IV." The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates disinfectants and classifies them as anti-microbial pesticides.10 The EPA uses a tiered system to assess toxicity. Category "I" stands for "highly toxic and severely irritating," and Category "IV" stands for "practically non-toxic and not irritating."
- Absence of hazard statements. Disinfectants that have higher toxicity ratings frequently have "Caution" statements like "causes eye irritation" or instruct to "wash hands thoroughly after use." Higher toxicity products may also require the use of personal protective equipment, such as gloves, gowns and eye protection during use.
- Active ingredients like citric acid, hydrogen peroxide, and ethanol. Disinfectants containing ingredients like citric acid, hydrogen peroxide, and ethanol are considered lower toxicity by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) 11 and EPA. 10 These can be identified by looking at the "Active Ingredients" on the product label.
- Products certified as "Cradle to Cradle Certified®," "Design for the Environment," "Environmentally-Preferable," or "Green." The AAP suggests selecting disinfectants that meet the standards for EPA's Design for the Environment certification. 10 Sustainable or "Green" doesn't necessarily mean low toxicity, but many low toxicity products also have the advantage of being environmentally friendly. Products with seals from organizations like Green Seal, EPA Safer Choice, and ECOLOGO should also be considered.
- Avoid chemicals of concern for asthma and allergy. The AAP and EPA advise against active ingredients such as quaternary ammonium compounds, aka "quats," or bleach in schools, particularly avoiding use around children, as these chemicals may cause or worsen allergies or asthma.11
- Avoid colors and strong fragrances. Many dyes and strong fragrances have the potential to irritate skin and/or respiratory tract and should be avoided if possible.
- Finally, EPA-listed disinfectants, including surface wipes, should NEVER be used by children.
Did you know? PURELL® Surface Sprays and Wipes contain ethanol as the active ingredient, earned the EPA's lowest allowable toxicity rating (Category IV), and kill many organisms in 30 seconds, including human coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), and the germs that cause cold, flu, and stomach bugs. They also do not contain harsh chemicals or fumes and are available fragrance-free.
Check out our PURELL® Brand K-12 Well-Being Center for more information on PURELL® solutions for low toxicity cleaning and disinfection in schools.
Want to learn more in general about low toxicity and green disinfection practices? Several non-government organizations have developed standards and guidance to help select appropriate disinfectants for use in education settings: