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Evaluate, Educate and Equip: Developing Healthy Cleaning
Alternatives for FBOs
Vonetta A. Storbakken
CANDIDATE M.S. URBAN ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT
PROGRAM FOR SUSTAINABLE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE
PRATT INSTITUTE
AUGUST 2012
EVALUATE EDUCATE AND EQUIP: DEVELOPING HEALTHY CLEANING ALTERNATIVES FOR FBOS
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Introduction
Faith-based organizations (FBOs) expose their staff and congregants to harm when they
allow their janitorial staff to use cleaning products that contain toxic chemicals. When FBOs
switch to environmentally-friendly cleaning products they protect the communities they serve as
well as influence wider behavior changes. In an effort to support and strengthen FBOs who
desire to implement environmentally-friendly cleaning practices, I have surveyed the cleaning
inventory of Friendship Baptist Church, Emmanuel Baptist Church and the Bowery Mission to
identify one common chemical in their cleaning products that may impact the health of their
congregants. By identifying a chemical in their cleaning inventory, I am able to asses when
building occupants will be exposed to the chemical on a daily basis. Furthermore, I will make
recommendations on how to switch to environmentally-friendly cleaning practices and strategies
to reduce or prevent health effects associated with the chemical. Because FBOs are anchors for
their communities, switching to environmentally cleaning practices have the potential to greatly
influence the broader community.
Unaware of the risks associated with many of the most popular cleaning products, many
faith-based organizations (FBOs) continue to purchase these products to clean their buildings.
Some of the chemicals in the cleaning products are a contributing factor to many of the health
effects that plague underrepresented communities (e.g., African Americans, immigrants, and
those living at or below the poverty level). In New York City many African American and
immigrant churches as well as other FBOs serve underrepresented communities via food
pantries, immigration/legal clinics, and by linkage and referral to social service agencies. The
EVALUATE EDUCATE AND EQUIP: DEVELOPING HEALTHY CLEANING ALTERNATIVES FOR FBOS
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racial demographics of the staff as well as the recipients of the services provided by FBOs
increase their risk to the negative health effects associated with some cleaning products.
Therefore it is imperative that pastors, administrative staff and leaders of FBOs protect the health
of their congregants, staff and other building occupants by implementing environmentally-
friendly cleaning practices, such as using non-toxic cleaning products. Furthermore, pastors and
leaders of FBOs should educate their constituency (e.g., community they serve) about the health
risks associated with the chemicals in popular cleaning products.
I have chosen to research the cleaning inventory in FBOs to identify one pervasive
chemical that impacts the health of the people who utilize the buildings on a daily basis. I’m
working with two churches, Emmanuel Baptist and Friendship Baptist, both are historic African
American churches in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, and one
faith-based service organization, the Bowery Mission, located on the Bowery in the Lower East
Side it is one of the nation’s oldest gospel rescue missions. Although I have not identified a
synagogue, mosque or other place of religious worship, it is true that the practices and messages
of the clergy have influence on the congregants.1 I have selected to work with Christian
organizations because I have developed relationships with these organizations while serving as a
fellow at the Pratt Center for Community Development, and as a Christian I am familiar with the
language and worldview of these churches/organization.
Pastors, administrative staff and leaders of FBOs participating in this project will be
equipped with the knowledge related to promoting non-toxic products and methods to implement
healthy cleaning practices. As a Christian who leans toward a more progressive perspective, and
1 Clergy and Churches as Political Elites and Cue Givers: Preaching to the Choir? , Matt Burger, 2008
EVALUATE EDUCATE AND EQUIP: DEVELOPING HEALTHY CLEANING ALTERNATIVES FOR FBOS
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understands the scriptures to ultimately be a story of liberation and redemption for those who are
oppressed, I find it important to work with religious leaders to help them articulate an
understanding of how we are to be in relationship with the earth. Many religious leaders, even
those who are in the struggle for social justice, have yet to understand how chemicals in certain
cleaning products affect congregants who are already disproportionately at risk for asthma,
respiratory problems and lung disease. This project will help religious leaders in influential urban
churches to learn about the connection between cleaning supplies and health problems in
minority communities.
Building occupants in faith-based organizations
The buildings that house FBOs are used for soup kitchens, medical clinics, youth and
senior groups, daycare, church services and administrative work. During the week Friendship
Baptist church houses women’s bible studies, Boy and Girl Scout programs, and church services
on Sundays. On a daily basis, three members of janitorial staff are in the building from Tuesday
to Friday and one trustee is in the church on Wednesdays. Emmanuel Baptist’s building
occupants include: clergy, administrative staff, congregational members and janitorial staff. In
addition, Emmanuel Baptist has Bible studies, meetings for the elderly, literacy classes, Boy and
Girl Scout programs, and daycare. The Bowery Mission houses eighty men living in the
residential recovery program and apartments for seven staff members. There are 5-25 volunteers
per day, and 600-800 people who daily receive services (meals, counseling, chapel, medical,
clothing, etc.). Figure 1 illustrates the building occupants of each FBO. This regular use of the
building exposes many people to potential toxicity from cleaning products.
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Factors that may contribute to how building occupants are impacted by the toxicity of
chemicals include the cleaning schedule and the exposure duration of the chemical (i.e., the
length of time a person is in contact with a chemical). For example, if the janitorial staff cleans
the building one day before the building occupants occupy the space, the occupants, depending
on the chemical, may not be affected by the fumes of the chemical. However, if the janitorial
staff cleans the building one hour before the building occupant occupies the space then the fumes
from the chemical may be too concentrated and will impact the occupant more than it would
have if the space was cleaned a day before. According to a report prepared for the California
EPA titled “Indoor Air Chemistry: Cleaning Agents, Ozone and Toxic Air Contaminants”, “The
total exposure duration (i.e., the sum of the time required for the activity plus the time remaining
in the location after the activity) is based on the location of the cleaning event and varies from
0.42 h for mopping the bathroom floor to 12 h for interior window cleaning. It is assumed that
the occupant is breathing at a higher rate (1.33 m 3 h -1(breathing rate)) during the activity
than after the activity (0.48 m3 h-1(breathing rate)) (Nazaroff A., et.al, 2006). Thus, when a
building is cleaned and how long a person has been exposed to a chemical are determining
factors on how a person’s health will be impacted by the harsh chemicals from cleaning
products.
Cleaning practices
The cleaning practices of FBOs can immensely contribute to the effects of the chemical.
For example, when the janitorial staff uses a spray or aerosol bottle to disperse the cleaning
product instead of a bottle with a regular mouth the chemical from the cleaning product will
EVALUATE EDUCATE AND EQUIP: DEVELOPING HEALTHY CLEANING ALTERNATIVES FOR FBOS
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release into the environment much easier.2 This may cause the chemicals to remain longer in the
environment making it easier for the building occupants to be exposed to its toxicity or other
harmful effects. A research study identifying 3,503 persons who clean their homes and who were
free of asthma at the beginning of a survey showed that 42 percent of the participants who used
cleaning sprays at least weekly experienced asthma symptoms (Air Quality Sciences, 2011). The
products that were used regularly by consumers and found in this research were glass and
furniture cleaners and air freshener sprays. In addition, participants who used the sprays at least
four days per week showed a higher incidence of physician-diagnosed asthma. Cleaning products
that were not applied as a spray were not associated with asthma or other respiratory problems
(AQS, 2011). It is important that the pastor and organizational leaders understand the connection
between cleaning products and the health of the congregation. To mitigate the impacts associated
with unsafe cleaning practices pastors must use their familiarity with the upkeep of the building
and program schedules to implement best cleaning practices.
Cleaning without adequate ventilation can be a contributing factor to how the chemicals
in cleaning products impact the health of the building occupants. For example, immediately after
a cleaning product is used the fumes from the chemical will be at its strongest; if a building
envelope is too tight it can prevent air from flowing in and out of the building. This lack of
adequate ventilation prevents toxic chemicals from dispersing more quickly into the air.
Another cleaning method that is practiced by some janitorial staff is mixing together
cleaning products to make it more effective. This can create a toxic gas (i.e. bleach and
quaternary ammonium can create cleaning products to create more effective cleaners.
2 Health Effects of cleaning products, Dr. Susan Duty
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Incompatible chemicals combined chloramine gas) (Duty S., 2012), and can lead to sudden
death.
Cleaning practices may vary according to the different sites. Thus it is important for each
FBO to identify the various cleaning products, cleaning schedules and other pertinent
information that will help each organization better address potential health risks and make
changes that protect the building occupants while also keep the building clean. Because most
organizations use similar cleaning products there is great potential for there to be common issues
related to the chemicals in the cleaning products.
Site analysis
An analysis was done on the cleaning inventory of Emmanuel Baptist Church, Friendship
Baptist Church and the Bowery Mission to identify one pervasive chemical in their cleaning
products that may impact the health of the building occupants. Figure 1 illustrates the cleaning
inventory for each building, the types of building occupants, and the occupants’ schedules as
well as the cleaning schedule for each building. By looking at the cleaning schedule of the
building and the occupants’ schedule the FBOs will be able to determine when the building
occupants are most likely to be exposed to a chemical. For example, Friendship Baptist Church’s
janitorial staff cleans the buildings on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from
9:30AM to 12:30PM. Women’s Bible studies are held on Wednesdays from 11AM to 1PM.
Thus, the participants in the women’s Bible studies will be exposed to the chemical and its fumes
when the janitorial staff cleans the building on Wednesdays from 10AM to 12:30PM. However,
building occupants that are in the building on Sundays for the church service will not be exposed
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to the chemical because the janitorial staff does not clean on Sundays. Figure 2 illustrates the
building occupants of Friendship Baptist Church exposure times to chemical. The cleaning
schedule for Emmanuel Baptist Church, which is a larger church than Friendship Baptist in size
as well as building occupants, is divided in three shifts from Monday to Friday. The building
occupants that are exposed to the chemical are staff who work from 7:30AM to 6PM and the
children in the day care which is held Monday to Friday from 8AM to 5:30PM. Other programs
are held throughout the day such as a literacy program (Women Prime Time Writing Workshop),
Bible studies and Boy and Girl Scout programs. However, some of the programs are not held
every day so their exposure to the chemical will be much less than that of staff members and
children in the daycare. Figure 3 illustrates Emmanuel Baptist Church’s building occupants’
exposure times to chemical. The Bowery Mission’s building cleaning schedule is Monday to
Sunday from 8AM to 9PM. The staff schedule is Monday to Friday from 8AM to 7PM. The
residents are there 24 hours. The volunteers and chronically homeless schedule is 6AM to 7PM.
Thus the building occupants’ exposure to the chemical will occur between the hours of 8AM and
9PM. The Bowery Mission is a high traffic area; it serves about 600 to 800 people a day, so it
would be very difficult to keep the building clean without cleaning throughout the day.
Compared with the other two FBOs the building occupants of the Bowery Mission will have
greater contact with the chemical due to the residents remaining on the site most of the day and
night. Figure 4 illustrates the building occupants of the Bowery Missions exposure times to
chemical.
Knowing when the chemical will impact the building occupants is an important factor in
preventing the health effects associated with cleaning products. Most pastors, administrative staff
EVALUATE EDUCATE AND EQUIP: DEVELOPING HEALTHY CLEANING ALTERNATIVES FOR FBOS
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and leaders are familiar with the day-to-day maintenance of the building and the schedule of
each staff member and building programs. However, if these leaders were to implement
environmentally-friendly cleaning practices such as cleaning with non-toxic cleaning products or
warning building occupants of any off-gassing or fumes from cleaning products, the impact of
toxins from the cleaning products will be minimal or prevented.
Figure 1: Church Survey
Friendship Baptist Church Emmanuel Baptist Church Bowery Mission
Chemicals Chemicals Chemicals
Ajax
Pine Sol
Fabuloso
Windex Glass Cleaner
Mistolin
Clorox Bleach
Pledge Furniture Spray
Pineamic-4
Certo Health Care Disinfectant Spray
Claire Waterbase Stainless Steel
Windex Glass Cleaner with Ammonia-D
Pledge Furniture Spray Lemon Citron
Spartan Fast &Easy Hard Surface &
Glass Cleaner
Spartan Non Acid Disinfectant
Bathroom Cleaner
Clorox Bleach
Parsley Plus All-Surface
Cleaners
Pine-Sol
Green Choices
Fantastic
Windex Glass Cleaner
Building Occupants Building Occupants Building Occupants
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9
Clergy
Administration
Congregation members
Boy/Girls Scouts
Janitorial staff
Women bible studies
Congregation members
Clergy
Staff
Daycare
Boy/Girls Scouts
Janitorial staff
Bible studies
Prime Time Writing Class
Staff
Residents in the program
Chronically homeless
Volunteers
Occupants Schedule Occupants Schedule Occupants Schedule
Church service -Sunday
9AM to 12:30 PM
Women bible studies -
Wednesday 11AM to 1PM
Congregation members - Sunday 7:30
AM to 3:30 PM
Church service - Saturday 5PM
Daycare - Monday to Friday 8AM to
5:30 Pm
Women Prime Time Writing –
Staff - 7:30 AM to 6PM
Residents – 24 hrs
Regular Staff – Monday to
Friday 8AM to 7PM
Volunteers – 6AM to 7PM
Chronically homeless – 6AM
to 5PM
Building Cleaning
Schedule
Building Cleaning Schedule Building Cleaning Schedule
Tuesday to Friday – 9:30
Am to 12:30 PM
Monday to Friday – 7:30 AM to 3PM
Monday to Sunday – 8AM to
9PM
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Figure 2: Friendship Baptist Church building occupants’ chemical exposure times
Figure 3: Emmanuel Baptist Church’s building occupants’ exposure times to chemical
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Figure 4: Bowery Missions’ building occupants’ chemical exposure times
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Which chemical was identified in cleaning products that can be hazardous to
human health?
About 98 percent of the cleaning products used in Friendship Baptist Church, Emmanuel
Baptist Church and the Bowery Mission have hazardous chemicals that can impact the health of
the building occupants. However, one chemical that was highly noticeable in the cleaning
inventory of the FBOs was ammonia hydroxide. Listed in the Toxic Substance Control Act
(TSCA) inventory and under the Clean Water Act (CWA) as a hazardous substance3, ammonia
hydroxide and other ammonium ions were identified in a few of the cleaning products.
Ammonia hydroxide, also known as CAS# 1336-21-6, is an ingredient mainly used in
cleaning products, smelling salts, and fertilizer. Ammonia hydroxide is also called liquid
ammonia. It is found in many household and industrial-strength cleaning solutions (New York
State Department of Health, 2004). Ammonia concentrations in household cleaning products are
between 5 and 10 percent. Cleaning products that have ammonia hydroxide are used to clean
bathroom tiles, mirrors, windows, kitchen counters, and the floor.
Ammonia hydroxide and ammonia have the same the same chemical compounds,
however, when ammonia gas is dissolved in water it becomes ammonia hydroxide. Ammonia
(NH3) is a nutrient that is a compound of hydrogen and nitrogen. It is formed naturally in
humans and in the environment. It is found in many places in the environment such as the air,
water and soil. However, it is also human-made to be used in agriculture to make fertilizers, in
commerce as an ingredient in cleaning products, and in other industries to manufacture textiles,
3 Material Safety Data Sheet, Ammonium Hydroxide, 2001
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plastics, pesticides and other chemicals.4 According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and
Disease Registry (ATSDR), “The amount of ammonia manufactured every year by humans is
almost equal to the amount produced by nature.” (ATSDR, 2004)
Health effects associated with ammonia hydroxide
Toxic pollutants from cleaning products cause adverse human health effects. Recent
studies have shown that inhaling chemicals found in many household cleaning products,
including bleach, ammonia, solvents and stain removers more than once a week are linked to a
twenty percent rise in cases of asthma or wheezing (European Academy of Allergy and Clinical
Immunology, 2010). Some chemicals in cleaning products have also been linked to reproductive
harm, which includes changes in sexual behavior, decreases in fertility, changes in onset of
puberty, cancers of reproductive organs, miscarriage, premature birth and other negative side
effects (Women’s Voices for the Earth, 2010).
The health effects associate with ammonia is the same as the health effects associated
with ammonia hydroxide. Health effects related to ammonia hydroxide are numerous. They
range from skin, eye, mouth and throat irritation, to sudden death. Potential effects are ulcers on
the skin, cataract development, permanent eye damage, upper respiratory problems,
pneumoconiosis, fibrosis, and liver and kidney damage.5 It also affects behavior and can cause
olfactory fatigue (the temporary inability to smell an odor after being exposed to it for a while),
which is the result of multiple overexposures to ammonia.6 In addition, research has shown that
4 New York State Department of Health, information for a healthy New York,2012,
5 Material Safety Data Sheet, Ammonium Hydroxide MSDS, Sciencelab.com, INC.
6 Acute-onset persistent olfactory deficit resulting from overexposure to ammonia vapor at work, Prudhomme,JC,
1998
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ammonia hydroxide can also be an irritant to people who have lung diseases such as emphysema
and asthma.
Every year about five thousand persons die of asthma in the United States (Partners
Asthma Center, 2011). However, the threat of death from asthma among African Americans is
three times greater than among whites in America (Partners Asthma Center, 2011). According to
the EPA, “African Americans continue to have a higher rate of emergency room visits,
hospitalization and deaths than white Americans. The rate of emergency room visits is 330
percent higher. The hospitalization rate is 220 percent higher and the asthma death rate is 190
percent higher” (EPA, 2012). This disparity is due to the difference in socioeconomic conditions
between Caucasian Americans and African Americans.
A study was done in New York looking at the hospitalization of severe asthmatics among
different neighborhoods by zip codes7 The people who lived in lower income neighborhoods had
the highest rate of asthma compared to the people who lived in neighborhoods with higher
incomes. Figure 5 illustrates the association between asthma hospitalization and socioeconomic
conditions.
7 Breath of Fresh Air, Partners Asthma Center, November 2011
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Figure 5: Asthma Hospitalization Rates
Source: New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Ammonia hydroxide can also impact human health through genotoxicity, which is a harmful
action on a cell’s genetic material (DNA, RNA) affecting its integrity. It can affect the gene code
causing genetic mutations, and birth defect causing agents. A research examined the genotoxic
effect of ammonia in humans. Blood samples were taken from 22 workers in a fertilizer factory
exposed to ammonia and from 42 men who were also working in the same factory but were not
exposed to ammonia (ATSDR, 2004). The results were the 22 factory workers exposed to
ammonia showed increased frequency of the abnormalities in the number of chromosomes which
are responsible for genetic disorders and ratio of the number of cell undergoing cell division.
Also with increased ammonia exposure increase frequency of the abnormalities in the number of
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chromosomes and cell division continued (ATSDR, 2004). According to ScienceLab.com’s
Material Safety Data Sheet, ammonia hydroxide “may affect genetic material based on tests with
microorganisms and animals” and “may cause cancer (tumorigenic) based on animal data”
(ScienceLab.com).
Exposure route of ammonia hydroxide
If you are exposed to ammonia hydroxide, many factors will determine whether you will
be harmed. According to the U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR),
“These factors include the dose (how much), the duration (how long), and how you come in
contact with it. You must also consider any other chemicals you are exposed to and your age,
sex, diet, family traits, lifestyle, and state of health” (ATSDR, 2004).
Building occupants can be exposed to ammonia hydroxide in many ways. For example,
vulnerable building occupants, such as children, the elderly and women, are exposed to harsh
chemicals from cleaning products8 through inhalation, skin and eye contact and accidental or
intentional ingestion. Children attending daycare may be exposed to chemicals by touching the
residue from the cleaning product and putting their fingers in their mouths. Also they may inhale
the fumes from the chemicals. The elderly and women attending church services or adult
programs may also be exposed to chemicals by inhalation or skin and eye absorption.
Although in occupational settings the level of ammonia hydroxide in cleaning products
might be low, studies have shown that repeated exposure to low concentrations can still impact
8 American Cleaning Company, INC, Vulnerable Population, 2012
http://amercln.com/Green_Cleaning/Vulnerable_Populations/
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the health of the people who are exposed to it. To reduce risks of toxins it is important to
understand how the toxins enter the body. Figure 6 illustrates the exposure route of most
chemicals.
Figure 6: Exposure Route of Most Chemicals
The inhalation of ammonia hydroxide can result in burns in the nose, pharynx and
trachea, as well as an abnormal increase in fluid in the mouth and nose (also called dropsy), and
EVALUATE EDUCATE AND EQUIP: DEVELOPING HEALTHY CLEANING ALTERNATIVES FOR FBOS
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airway destruction resulting in respiratory distress or failure 9 Also, skin and eye contact of
ammonia hydroxide can cause blindness and skin burns. The ingestion of cleaning products
usually do not occur in the workplace, however, if ammonium hydroxide was ingested it can
result in severe damage to the mouth, throat and stomach.
For building occupants of the three FBOs two factors determine the extent of exposure to
ammonia hydroxide: when the janitorial staff cleans, and the amount of ammonia hydroxide used
to clean. In the workplace, OSHA has established an eight hour exposure limit of 25 parts per
million (ppm) and a short-term (fifteen minute) exposure limit of 35 ppm for ammonia.10
According to Steven Issley, MD, “The permissible levels of exposure to toxic gases are defined
by time-weighted average (TWA).” The TWA is defined as the concentration for an eight hour
workday of a forty hour workweek that nearly all workers can be exposed to without adverse
effects (Issley, et al., 2011). Figure 7 illustrates the gaseous ammonia effects at various
concentrations.11 NIOSH recommends that the level in workroom air be limited to 50 ppm for 5
minutes of exposure.12 According to OSHA, “Massive accidental exposure can be quickly fatal.
Autopsies of individuals who have died from exposure have indicated severe damage at every
level of the respiratory system, including edema and hemorrhage” (OSHA).
9 Agency for Toxic Substance & Disease Registry, Exposure Route of Ammonia, 2003
10 New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Service, Hazardous Substance Factsheet, 2002
11 Medscape, Ammonia Toxicity, June 27,2011
12 New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Service, Hazardous Substance Factsheet, 2002
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Figure 7: Gaseous ammonia effects at various concentrations
25 ppm or
less
TWA
25-50 ppm Detectable odor; unlikely to experience adverse effects
50-100 ppm Mild eye, nose, and throat irritation;may develop tolerance in 1-2 weeks with
no adverse effects thereafter
140 ppm Moderate eye irritant; no long-term sequelae in exposures of less than 2
hours
400 ppm Moderate throat irritation
500 ppm IDLH
700 ppm Immediate eye injury
1000 ppm Directly caustic to airway
1700 ppm Laryngospasm
2500 ppm Fatality (after half-hour exposure)
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2500-6500
ppm
Sloughing and necrosis of airway mucosas, chest pain, acute lung injury
(ALI), and bronchospasm
5000 ppm Rapidly fatal exposure
Source: Medscape
Building occupants at risk from exposure to ammonia hydroxide in cleaning
products
The building occupants that use the building consists of the elderly, chronically homeless,
young adults, children and women. The building occupants most susceptible to ammonia
hydroxide are the elderly, women, children, janitors and people with respiratory diseases – many
of the chronically homeless individuals suffer from a variety of health complications. Pregnant
women may also be at risk from exposure to ammonia hydroxide. One study done on animals
displayed that mothers who were exposed to very high levels of ammonia while pregnant caused
their newborn babies to be smaller than normal newborns (ATSDR, 2004).
At Friendship Baptist Church and Emmanuel Baptist Church the majority of building
occupants are women. The Bowery Mission mainly serves men, thus the majority of the building
occupants are usually men. However, a couple of women work on staff and women do go to the
Bowery for services such as free meals, and clothing and social service assistance. According to
Women College Hospital (WCH), “women are more at risk to the effects of toxic chemicals than
men because of hormonal differences, lower body mass, and they have an average of 10 percent
more body fat” (Women College Hospital, 2012). Also, research have shown that when women
and men are exposed to the same toxic substances in the workplace, women consistently report
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21
having more symptoms than men (Women College Hospital, 2012). This is due to the difference
in the physiological make-up of both women and men.
Children attending Emmanuel Baptist Daycare are vulnerable to the exposure of
ammonia hydroxide because they breathe in more air with respect to their body size than adults
and thus have greater exposure to indoor environmental pollutants (AQS, 2007). In addition,
based on the age range of the children attending the daycare – 2.7 years to 5 years – they are still
very tactile so they constantly touch things and then put their fingers in their mouths.
Building occupants with respiratory diseases are extremely vulnerable to toxics fumes
from cleaning products. Cleaning products with ammonia hydroxide can aggravate building
occupants with respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic bronchitis. Children with asthma
may be particularly sensitive to ammonia fumes (Healthy Child Healthy World).
The janitorial staffs at both of the churches and the rescue mission are at risk of the
negative health impacts associated with ammonia hydroxide. Studies have shown that
professional workers in the United States and Europe have lower risk of asthma compared with
people working as domestic or industrial cleaners who have higher risk of asthma (AQS, 2007).
About 2.8 million potentially exposed janitors are employed by the cleaning
industry(Environmentally Preferable Purchasing, 2010). Data from Washington State illustrates
that about 6 percent of janitors experience a job related injury due to chemical exposure to
cleaning products annually (EPP, 2010). Figure 8 illustrates the annual janitor chemical exposure
injuries in Washington State.
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The elderly are also at risk to the health effects associated with ammonia hydroxide. Like
children, the elderly have a weaker immune system and lower body mass than younger adults
which increases their risks to toxic chemicals. According to a five-year study conducted by the
EPA, “with increasing age people become more vulnerable to the harmful effects of
environmental chemicals due to the deterioration of physiological and biochemical processes,
which include certain age-related biochemical, morphological and functional changes associated
with the nervous system” (EPA, 2005).
Figure 8: Annual Janitor Chemical Exposure Injuries in Washington Sate
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The health costs associated with chemical exposure
According to the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU), “four
percent of the world’s GDP (US$1,251,353 million) is lost with the cost of injury, sickness
treatment and disability,death and disease through absence from work, and survivor benefits”
(ICFTU, 2005). The single largest contributing risk factor associated with job related illness and
injury in health care is due to working with or exposure to toxic chemicals (Weiss, L., 2012). An
estimated 60,000 deaths and 860,000 job related illnesses is attributed to occupational exposure
(OSHA,2008). Chemicals in cleaning products are a contributing factor to the costs of health
care. The constant exposure to chemicals in cleaning products can deteriorates the immune
system causing health risks. Respiratory diseases such as asthma are an outcome of harsh
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chemicals in cleaning products. Asthma is attributed to an estimated 14 million lost school days
and $16 billion in yearly health care expenditures for both children and adults (Greenguard,
2012). Taking into consideration the health costs associated with chemical exposure, pastors as
well as leaders of the three FBOs should help reduce building occupants’ health costs by
implementing environmentally friendly practices such as purchasing non-toxic cleaning products
and making sure that the janitorial staff practices safe cleaning practices.
Other contributing factors/building systems that can contribute to health
impacts
Some cleaning products contribute to unhealthy indoor air quality; however, many other
factors can also contribute to indoor air quality. Building materials such as carpets, rugs, new
flooring, furniture and HVAC systems are all contributing factors to indoor air quality. Both
churches and the Bowery Mission have an HVAC system. If the system is not properly
maintained, it will contribute to the quality of indoor air in the building. For example improperly
maintained HVAC systems can cause high humidity in the building which spurs mold growth
and poor indoor air quality.
Current policies and programs
As the public becomes cognizant of the danger of hazardous chemicals in cleaning
products some states as well as the federal government have already implemented green cleaning
programs and policies to educate and to assist the public in making environmentally preferable
decisions. In 1995, the EPA established Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) to
EVALUATE EDUCATE AND EQUIP: DEVELOPING HEALTHY CLEANING ALTERNATIVES FOR FBOS
25
encourage and assist executive agencies in the purchase of environmentally preferable products
and services (EPA, 2010).
Nationally state officials and environmental groups have helped legislate green cleaning
polices for schools. Many states, such as New York and Illinois, have legislated green cleaning
laws for schools.13 In 2005, the New York Green Cleaning Laws amended the New York State
and Education Law and Finance to require elementary and secondary schools to procure and use
environmentally sensitive cleaning and maintenance products as per the Office of General
Services (OGS) commissioner guidelines (OGS, 2009). On April 24, 2008, Executive Order 4
(EO 4) was signed. The act advocates for policies within state agencies that reduces impacts on
public health and environment and the reduction, use and generation of toxic substances,
pollution and waste (OGS, 2009). In addition to the above policies, state agencies and authorities
are required to implement green practices because cleaning programs are part of EO 4.14
Recommendations
1. Influence local change in the congregation and community.
The purpose of church is to influence, inform and shape people and whole communities. It is
a high calling as they are commissioned to evangelize the whole world. The word “evangelize” is
a verb that inherently means to share the good news. The “good news” is that God cares about
people and the whole of creation and calls us to redeem the broken, desperate, hopeless parts of
the world – i.e. to infuse the world with hope, love, restoration and reconciliation.
13
Green Cleaning, Stephen Ashkin, July 2009 14
New York’s Green Cleaning Program, OGS 2009
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26
There are many FBOs, such as Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice (YMPJ) and Habitat
for Humanity, which were created in an effort to work toward positive social change by
addressing issues of environmental racism and injustice as well as housing scarcity. For example,
YMPJ has actively reclaimed the Bronx River waterfront for the community; it is working to
decommission the Sheridan Expressway; and it is equipping young people with the knowledge
and skills to advocate for change in their communities. The Bowery Mission, which is a much
more conservative organization (concerned with personal transformation, and not radical social
change), recently built a rooftop garden and its senior staff has recognized the importance of
identifying and implementing greening techniques to create a more sustainable organization.
Churches and FBOs have considerable influence, especially within their local communities.
When senior staff is engaged to and equipped with a way to address issues that affect the
communities they represent, they will have the power to transform the communities which they
lead.
2. Implement strategies to reduce exposure and minimize health impacts of cleaning
products.
To prevent exposure and mitigate the health impacts of ammonium hydroxide and other
chemicals in cleaning products that are harmful to the health of the building occupants at
Friendship Baptist Church, Emmanuel Baptist Church and the Bowery Mission, faith leaders of
the above FBOs need to implement four strategizes: 1) Educate their constituents about the
adverse health effects associated with conventional cleaning products; 2) hold monthly workshop
on best cleaning practices, such as how to properly apply a cleaning product, when to apply the
EVALUATE EDUCATE AND EQUIP: DEVELOPING HEALTHY CLEANING ALTERNATIVES FOR FBOS
27
cleaning product and the appropriate cleaning tools that should be use; 3) faith leaders must
maintain adequate ventilation in the buildings by making sure that their building systems are
operating correctly and up to code; and 4) faith leaders must purchase environmentally-friendly
cleaning products that are certified by the government and reputable eco-friendly companies to
ensure that they are purchasing products that effectively clean the building.
a. Educate their constituents about the adverse health effects associated with
conventional cleaning products
Without comprehending the dire issues related to how we treat our environment and ourselves it
is difficult for us to make any changes to our behavior. However, through education, training,
leadership modeling and support it is possible for us to make healthy life changes. Faith-based
leaders should educate their congregants and staff about the toxicity in cleaning products by
including environmental passages from the bible in sermons and having or sending them to green
cleaning workshops. There are many community organizations or non-profit organizations who
are already at the forefront educating the public about environmentally best practices. With
proper training on how to use cleaning products janitorial staff will be better equipped to handle
and prevent chemical exposure from cleaning products.
a. Maintain Adequate ventilation
In addition to training and education, maintaining building systems, such as Heating
Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC), is an important strategy toward having good indoor
air quality and reducing the impacts associated with hazardous chemicals in cleaning products.
For example, without adequate ventilation ammonia fumes can build up if the ammonia is not
diluted with sufficient water (Healthy Child Healthy World). Thus it is important that staff who
EVALUATE EDUCATE AND EQUIP: DEVELOPING HEALTHY CLEANING ALTERNATIVES FOR FBOS
28
are under the supervision of faith-based leaders properly upkeep the HVAC systems or air
filtration system in the building. If the building does not have an HVAC system, the facility
manager or janitorial staff can reduce cleaning product’s fumes build up by opening the windows
and doors while cleaning.
b. Purchase Environmentally-friendly cleaning products
All building occupants are usually exposed to the volatile components of cleaning products
(EPA, 2010). To prevent or to effectively minimize all of the impacts associated with cleaning
products, faith-based leaders should purchase environmentally-friendly cleaning products.
Cleaning with eco-friendly products offers many health benefits as well as financial benefits.
According to Ashkin, “replacing conventional cleaning products with those that have the
potential for harm has numerous advantages and is less costly than increasing the supply of fresh
air or general ventilation” (Ashkin, 2009). For example, environmentally-friendly cleaning
products improve indoor air quality thereby reducing health impacts such as asthma, and skin,
eye and throat irritation. Moreover, because environmentally-friendly cleaning products promote
a healthier environment for building occupants and janitorial staff, it reduces sick days and
absenteeism.15 Also injuries to janitorial staff and Worker’s Compensation Claims are reduced.16
In the past environmentally-friendly cleaning products have been expensive to purchase,
however, because of the influx of environmentally-friendly cleaning products in the market,
many environmentally-friendly manufacturers have lowered their prices to stay abreast of the
current market. In addition, the recession has also caused many manufactures to lower their
15
New York’s Green Cleaning Program, New York State Office of General Services, 2009 16
IBID
EVALUATE EDUCATE AND EQUIP: DEVELOPING HEALTHY CLEANING ALTERNATIVES FOR FBOS
29
prices to encourage consumers to purchase their products. If the three FBOs are unable to
purchase environmentally-friendly products they can start a buy-in program. A buy-in program is
a program where two or more FBOs come together to purchase a product directly from the
manufacturer to lower the price of the product. In addition, New York State, green cleaning
products help to configure the cost of concentrated cleaning products into the cost per gallon
when diluted.17 Therefore you can use the results to compare it to environmentally-friendly
cleaning products.
Due to federal laws that require government agencies to purchase environmentally-friendly
products, the EPA established the Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) program.18 The
EPP assists federal agencies in the purchase of environmentally-friendly cleaning products.
However, FBOs and consumers who would like to purchase environmentally friendly products
but do not know where to start can also obtain information from EPP’s database of approved
environmentally-friendly cleaning products. Also, New York State has established a green
cleaning program for schools. New York State Office of General Services has a database for
approved green cleaning supplies. Not all products that are labeled environmentally-friendly are
safe for the environment. According to the EPA, purchasers should be especially careful in
interpreting vague or generic claims such as "environmentally friendly," "eco safe," etc.
Purchasers should ask vendors and manufacturers offering green cleaning products to clearly and
specifically define their green claims. Guidance on the use and interpretation of environmental
marketing claims is available from the Federal Trade Commission (EPA, 2010). In addition, the
17
New York State Green Cleaning Program, Office of General Services, 2009 18
Environmentally Preferable Purchasing(EPP), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,2012
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30
EPA has recommended purchasing environmentally-friendly cleaning products with the labels:
Green Seal and Design for the Environment.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the FBOs identified in this project serve as a place where minority and
underrepresented people meet either to worship or to receive social services. Already
disproportionately impacted by diseases and socioeconomic circumstances, they are susceptible
to many of the health effects associated with cleaning products, therefore pastors and
organizational leaders must exercise their authority to make environmental changes that will
reduce and/or even prevent the health effects associated with cleaning products.
It is my hope that not only will these religious organizations make wiser choices
regarding their cleaning supplies, but that the clergy will become more knowledgeable of the
issues related to cleaning products and transfer that knowledge to those they serve. It is essential
that they influence their congregants and the greater community to be in healthy relationship
with one another, their neighborhood and the environment.
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31
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