School children experience their environment in ways adults do not; they play on floors, sprawl on desk and table surfaces, roll in the grass and engage in hand-to-mouth behavior. Children breathe faster and, pound-for-pound, eat more food and drink more liquid than adults, so they take in more of any contaminants in their surroundings. Add to this the fact that their bodies are undergoing rapid development, and you can understand why children are at greater risk from toxins in the environment than most adults.

In most schools, cleaning products are used every day. Some of these products contain chemicals which have been associated with increased risks of long-term chronic diseases, including asthma, cancer and neurological problems.

As a result, manufacturers are developing new products for schools and other institutions serving "sensitive populations" - children, women who are or may become pregnant, and anyone with chemical sensitivities. Third-party certification organizations are currently revising their cleaning product standards to address the unique requirements of school populations.

Resources:

The ChildSafe Guidelines are the first green cleaning specifications to recognize the unique vulnerability of children; among other things they contain prohibitions against added fragrances and endocrine disruptors. Products which meet the ChildSafe Guidelines are among the safest products on the market. See a list of products.

Green Seal is an independent, non-profit organization which has recently modified its existing GS-37 adult standard to meet the needs of "sensittive populations" including children. However, the proposed revised standard does not prohibit artificial fragrances, which usually contain phthalates. Schools using products from the GS-37 list should use only products which are unscented.