Purpose

• Encourage the use of safe chemicals used for cleaning in public schools
• Promote the implementation of green cleaning programs in schools

Areas Affected

• General Administration
• General Safety Practices

Program
A Green Cleaning Program is one that uses cleaning products and disinfectants in a manner consistent with the green cleaning procedures.  Procedures and product lists are distributed to school administrative units by the Maine Department of Education.  This is a program of the Maine Department of Education in consultation with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and the Maine Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources, Board of Pesticides Control.  The highlights of the Green Cleaning Program include but are not limited to:

1.  Green Cleaning Products List
A list of cleaning products that have been:

• Certified by a 3rd party independent agency such as Green Seal; Certified as meeting health-based criteria for safety and efficacy
• Updated to schools annually by the MDOE (the list is developed by the MDEP)
• Distributed annually to school administrative units

Maine Department of Education List of Green Cleaning Products

2.  Disinfectants List
A list of disinfectants that have been:

• Evaluated for environmentally preferred janitorial products
• Registered by the Board of Pesticides Control
• Distributed annually to school administrative units

Note:  Disinfectants are regulated as pesticides and the label is a legal document.  As there are frequent changes related to disinfectants, call the Board of Pesticides Controls (http://www.maine.gov/agriculture/pesticides) toxicologist Lebelle Hicks at 207-287-2731 (lebelle.hicks@maine.gov) to review and select disinfectants specific to your needs.

3.  Green Cleaning Procedures
Descriptions of cleaning recommendations that:

• Reduce the use of toxic chemicals
• Improve indoor air quality
• Meet performance standards for cleanliness
• Distributed to school administrative units
• Read:  Resolves 2007, Chapter 32 and MDEP CMR 06-096, Chapter 152 [links]

The web link to the green cleaning procedures is:  Best “Green” Cleaning Management Practices

Recognition
Schools that commit to a Green Cleaning Program will be recognized by the Maine Department of Education by:

• A list of School Administrative Units (SAUs) Committed to Implementing a Green Cleaning Program
• The list of schools using a Green Cleaning Program made available to the public

Information Related To Green Cleaning Programs
Forms and Model Plans Links

• Chemical Inventory form (required to report chemicals annually) - http://www.maine.gov/dep/mercur/chemical_inventory _form.xls
• Chemical Hygiene Plan model plan sample - http://www.maine.gov/labor/workplace_safety/model_policies/index.shtml
• Hazardous Communication Plan model plan sample - http://www.maine.gov/labor/workplace_safety/model_policies/index.shtml

Resources

• EcoLogo Program -- http://www.ecologo.org/en/
• Green Seal – www.greenseal.org
• Maine Board of Pesticide Control -- http://www.maine.gov/agriculture/pesticides
• Maine DOA -- http://www.maine.gov/agriculture
• Maine DOE -- http://www.maine.gov/education
• Maine DEP -- http://www.maine.gov/dep
• Maine School IPM -- http://www.maine.gov/agriculture/pesticides/schoolipm/
• U.S. DOL OSHA -- http://www.osha.gov
• U.S. EPA School Chemical Clean Out Campaign (SC3) -- http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/partnerships/sc3/index.htm
• U.S. EPA IAQ Tools For Schools Action Kit -- http://www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/actionkit.html

Regulations

• Maine DEP – CMR 06-096, Chapter 152 (Control of Emissions of VOCs)
• Maine DEP – CMR 06-096 Chapter 850 (Hazardous Waste Identification)
• Maine DOA – CMR 01-026, Chapter 27 (Pesticide Applications and Notification)
• Maine DOE – CMR 05-071 Chapter 161 (Hazardous Chemical Purchase and Storage)
• Maine DOE – Resolves Chapter 32 (Safe Chemicals in Public Schools)
• U.S. DOL OSHA – 29 CFR 1910.1200 (Hazard Communication)
• U.S. DOL OSHA – 29 CFR 1910.1450 (Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories)

Be safe!  Read, learn and apply the regulations.