Conference call: switch your school to safer cleaners

Source: Healthy Schools Campaign, 1/31/06
Date: 2.2.06

One out of three cleaning product ingredients used in schools pose student health or environmental risks. T hey are linked with neurological disorders, asthma, cancer, and other health problems. They might also contribute to lower student test scores.

The good news is that many safer cleaning products are already easily available. And schools across the country are making the switch. The governor of New York, for example, ordered every school in the state to switch to safer cleaning products.

The safer products are also highly effective. So effective, in fact, that some of the same products being used to clean school locker rooms are being used to clean hospitals too. And don’t worry about the cost -- safe, green cleaners are priced to compete against their conventional alternatives. Some schools are even saving money.

To help school officials, teachers, facility managers, and parents learn more about switching to safer cleaning products, the Center for a New American Dream, in partnership with the Healthy Schools Campaign, is hosting a nationwide "Green Clean" conference call on February 14 from 12:00 to 2:00 (Central Time). This interactive call will include green cleaning experts, school officials who have already successfully made the switch, and information on how to buy affordable, safer products from more than 50 manufacturers. The call with feature an Illinois school district, Lockport Township High School District 205.

During the call, the Center for a New American Dream will kick off its nationwide Clean Schools Contest. The contest is simple -- switch your school to safer cleaning products and you’ll be entered into a drawing to win a cash prize. Contest information will be provided on the call and will be available at www.newdream.org/cleanschools.

For more information or to register for the call, please send an e-mail to ipp@newdream.org or contact Scot Case at (610) 781-1684.