Floor care products typically used in schools include strippers, neutralizers and sealers which often contain highly toxic, highly caustic and highly corrosive chemicals. Their high VOC (volatile organic compound) levels can exacerbate respiratory problems, especially asthma, and exposure to some of their other ingredients (zinc, styrene, chromium and nickel) has been linked to other health problems and environmental impacts.

As with most chemicals, children are more vulnerable than adults, and chronic effects from exposure may not present themselves for years. Women who are pregnant should avoid any exposure to freshly applied floor care products.

For this reason, floor care work in schools should only be performed during periods when schools are vacant, preferably during summer vacation or over extended holiday breaks when buildings can be properly ventilated before children and staff return to school.


Resources:

There has been great progress in this area in the past few years. Canada's Environmental Choice program and the ChildSafe List of safe cleaning products for schools both have listings for less-toxic or non-toxic floor care products.

Photo: The floors of this school in New York City are maintained using a non-toxic floor care product.