Laboratory tests performed for the non-profit EWG found that a typical assortment of cleaning products released 457 distinct chemicals into the air, including chloroform, benzene and formaldehyde, the story stated.
According to the story, eight states have passed legislation requiring or encouraging the use of environmentally friendly cleaning products in schools while many other forward-thinking school districts have adopted green cleaning policies.
With the recent hysteria surrounding H1N1 influenza A (swine flu), norovirus, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other superbugs, some seem to have forgotten that cleaning products do not need to be toxic to perform effectively, the story noted.
According to the article, lax labeling requirements mean that schools often don't know what they're purchasing, leading many schools to purchase safer cleaning supplies that have been independently certified to meet protective health and safety standards.
Connecticut, Hawaii, New York, Nevada, Illinois, Maryland, Missouri and Maine have all adopted green cleaning in schools legislation to one degree or another, the story added.
