The advocacy for the importance of indoor air quality has existed for more than two decades. Still, the events of COVID-19 and its impact on us have shined a spotlight on its importance, creating an urgency to act for so many. According to the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), people in the U.S. spend, on average, 90% of their time indoors. Occupants of green buildings are typically exposed to far lower levels of indoor pollutants and have significantly greater satisfaction with air quality and lighting than occupants of conventional buildings. Research conducted at Carnegie Mellon University shows that the benefits can translate to a 2% to 16% increase in workers' and students' productivity.
In early March of 2022, the Biden-Harris Administration released the Nation COVID-19 Preparedness Plan, a roadmap to move the country forward safely and continue to fight COVID-19 as Americans get back to their more normal routines. The Administration has launched the Clean Air in Buildings Challenge, a call to action for leaders, building owners, and operators of all types to assess their indoor air quality and improve ventilation and air filtration to help keep occupants safe. As part of the Challenge, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a best practices guide to improve indoor air quality and reduce the risk of spreading dangerous airborne particles. Removing dust, allergens, and infectious agents is crucial to maintaining a healthy indoor environment. However, it's important to remember that cleaning products can present several health and environmental concerns. They may contain chemicals associated with eye, skin, or respiratory irritation or other human health issues, affecting indoor air quality and contributing to smog formation in outdoor air. Additionally, the concentrated forms of some commercial cleaning products are classified as hazardous, creating potential handling, storage, and disposal issues for users. So how can Premier Janitorial help?
Use of green products and materials - EPA certified Safer Choice labeled and Designed for the Environment (DfE) labeled
Purchase products with labels that provide information on environmental, consumer, and worker safety
Proper training of Chemical Management System (a set of formal procedures to ensure proper storage, handling, and use) to minimize and prevent exposure to concentrated cleaning products during handling and use.
Effective cleaning strategies that include conducting an annual audit following the Association of Physical Plant Administration (APPA) Leadership in Educational Facilities' Custodial Staffing Guidelines
All of which helps build a greener economy by enhancing the value proposition of green building, strengthening the green building industry and supply chain, promoting innovation and integration of green building products and services, incentivizing long-term growth and investment opportunities, and supporting local economies.