Eliminating Hazardous Chemicals And Locating Safer Alternatives For Restroom Care
By Roger McFadden
When the restroom smells bad, looks messy, appears dirty or is out of the proper supplies, it projects a poor image of the building and cleaning staff. Proper restroom cleaning maintains a high level of appearance, eliminates unpleasant odors, elevates the image of custodial staff and improves the overall health and safety of the facility. Proper restroom care requires establishing cleaning standards, developing guidelines, communicating expectations, effective training and selecting the right chemical cleaning products.
The chemical cleaning product selection process should be carefully planned and implemented. Stakeholders should be included in the selection process. This will typically include cleaning personnel, management, safety, health and environmental representatives in your organization. The selection of cleaning products should be based upon more than a pleasant fragrance, an attractive color or cheap price. The cost of overlooking the safety and environmental impact of a chemical cleaning product can be enormous. Using hazardous acids, caustics or volatile solvents can result in on-the-job chemical injuries, contaminate indoor air and damage expensive restroom fixtures.
The restroom environment typically is a depository for germs and contaminants. It is important to properly and routinely remove these contaminants. Cleaning products are specially formulated to help remove contaminants, kill germs and keep the building cleaner and healthier. An organized and well-planned restroom care program will select and use cleaning products that are effective, safe for workers and protect surfaces being cleaned. A modern trend is emerging to eliminate acids, replace glycol ethers and find sustainable earth alternatives to traditional restroom cleaning products. Informed consumers of cleaning products are demanding “greener” products.
Identify and Review Hazardous Ingredients
Most cleaning products are formulated using a mixture of chemical ingredients. They are not one chemical ingredient packaged in a container. This makes the environmental, health and safety (EHS) assessment of a cleaning product complicated. For example, if isopropyl alcohol were being considered for use in a cleaning operation, EHS professionals would review a variety of scientific and medical databases about isopropyl alcohol and make an informed choice about whether it can safely be used in their facilities. However, if isopropyl alcohol were formulated with five other chemical ingredients into a glass cleaner, the decision process gets more difficult. The potential adverse health effects of the cleaning cocktail would need to be considered.
The United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires companies that manufacture cleaning products to prepare a material safety data sheet (MSDS) for each product they manufacture. The MSDS lists hazardous ingredients found in the cleaning product as well as other important safety information. However, OSHA does not require full disclosure or exact percentages of all ingredients. This creates a problem for EHS professionals.
Formaldehyde and isopropyl alcohol are listed on some cleaning product MSDSs and they are both considered hazardous ingredients. Yet, one is a carcinogen and one is used as a rubbing alcohol on human skin. Toxicologists tell us “the dose makes the poison”. For example, medications designed to cure our illnesses, can become deadly when overdosed or mixed with other medications. Medications are usually accompanied with instructions about how to safely and effectively use the medicine, possible side effects and other medicines to avoid when using it. Unfortunately, cleaning product labels and MSDSs seldom provide a list of chemicals to avoid or possible side effects.
A cleaning product is usually stored in a closet with other cleaning products. The relationship between the chemistry of one chemical and another is important. Recently, I visited a custodial closet near an area where office workers complained about unpleasant odors that were causing headaches and respiratory discomfort. I opened the door and immediately recognized a chemical odor that was related to ammonia and chlorine being mixed. An investigation of the closet revealed that leaking containers of an aqua ammonia detergent was dripping into a bucket filled with a sodium hypochlorite (chlorine bleach) mildew remover. A review of the MSDS for the aqua ammonia detergent and the mildew remover indicated they should be kept away from each other. This accident could have been serious if left uncorrected.
Avoid High Levels of Corrosive Acids and Alkalis
Hydrochloric acid (HCL) and phosphoric acid are effective ingredients sometimes used to formulate tub, tile, toilet and shower room cleaners. These acids are aggressive and are capable of damaging toilets, urinals, sinks, metal, mirrors, floor tiles, grouting and a number of other surfaces commonly found in restrooms. Acid toilet bowl cleaners typically have an acid content between 9% and 25%. This level of acid may be effective for removing tougher deposits from toilets and urinals, but when exposed long term can damage these fixtures. HCL can etch the toilet bowl and urinal surfaces making them more receptive to minerals deposits and soils. Some of these acid products contain special buffering agents to help reduce the impact of these acids on surfaces. Proper daily cleaning of restroom toilets and urinals with effective non-acid or milder acid disinfectant cleaners can reduce the risk to workers and surfaces.
Hydrofluoric acid (HF) and its salts are sometimes used to formulate specialty mineral stain removers. These chemicals are very effective in removing the toughest of mineral stains, but can severely damage porcelain, porcelain enamel, glass and glazed ceramic tiles. Care should be taken to control the contact time of products formulated with these ingredients. Proper cleaning and care of these surfaces can prevent the need to use these HF based products. There are also mild abrasive solutions that contain cerium oxide that can be used to remove these deposits without the risk to workers and surfaces.
Using chlorine bleach to clean restrooms is not a good idea. In fact, it is a bad idea. Quaternary disinfectant cleaners are currently the best choice for cleaning and disinfecting the restroom environment. Many of these products are effective against a broad spectrum of disease causing microorganisms including streptococcus, staphylococcus, pseudomonas aeruginosa, HIV-1, HBV, Herpes Simplex 1 and 2 and a variety of strains of Influenza viruses. You will want to read the product label and literature to confirm what organisms your disinfectant cleaner will kill.
Many institutions do not use household chlorine bleach because it:
1. Lacks detergency – Household chlorine bleach may be a good disinfectant, but it is not a disinfectant-cleaner. It contains no wetting agents or detergents to allow the disinfecting agent to penetrate soils. Carefully read the household chlorine bleach label and you will see that a surface must be pre-cleaned before the chlorine bleach will kill the germs. Quaternary disinfectant cleaners will clean the surface and kill the germs in a one step process.
2. Adversely reacts with other chemicals to create toxic byproducts and gases – Incompatible with products that contain ammonia, hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid and acetic acid (vinegar).
3. Emits unpleasant odors – Occupants of buildings frequently complain about bleach and bleach related odors migrating into their work areas.
4. Attacks hard surfaces – Chlorine bleach can attack and corrode metal surfaces as well as permanently discolor countertops.
5. Discolors fibers and colored surfaces – Carpets, entrance matting and clothing are just a few of the fibers that can be damaged when contacted by chlorine bleach solutions.
6. Damages floor finishes – Chlorine bleach can attack the floor finish coatings on the floor requiring them to be removed and replaced. This is an expensive process.
7. Rapidly loses its strength – Chlorine bleach is unstable and can lose its oxidizing and disinfecting strength rapidly compared to “quat” based disinfectant-cleaners.
8. Is expensive to use – The recommended dilution ratio for proper disinfecting of surfaces is 1:10 (13 ounces of chlorine bleach per gallon of water) while “quat” based disinfectant-cleaners are effective when diluted up to 1:256 ( 1/2 ounce per gallon of water).
Most cleaning experts would agree that aggressive acid cleaners are needed to clean toilets and urinals because of poor daily cleaning practices. It takes unsightly rings and deposits long periods of time to form under normal water and plumbing conditions. Mineral and iron stains do not form rapidly. We can prevent these conditions with milder cleaning products and proper, routine, daily cleaning of toilets and urinals. For example, there would be significantly less root canals and expensive dental care needed if patients would properly brush and floss. The same is true in caring for our toilets and urinals (molars). When toilets and urinals are properly cleaned and brushed daily they are less likely to need expensive and hazardous remedies.
If you choose to work with hazardous chemical products, then be sure to follow all the safety requirements and recommendations. Workers should NEVER apply or use an aggressive acid toilet bowl cleaner without wearing appropriate gloves and goggles. Corrosive acids and alkalis can produce acute and/or chronic injury to eyes and skin. Some volatile solvents and glycol ethers can absorb through our skin or cause respiratory problems. It is important to wear the appropriate personal protection equipment required or recommended on the product label and/or the MSDS.
Environmental, health and safety professionals are looking for ways to compare the hazards of various cleaning products. Research is being done and databases are being developed to assist us in comparing the relative hazards of ingredients used in cleaning products. One database that is particularly interesting is the Indiana Relative Chemical Hazard Score (IRCHS). This is a scoring method developed by Purdue University that evaluates an ingredient and assigns a chemical hazard value based upon the average of the Environmental Hazard Value and the Worker Exposure Hazard Value. The lower the score, the more favorable the evaluation. This allows individuals to compare the relative hazard value of ingredients in various cleaning products. This method can help organizations find safer alternatives. Below are a few common ingredients used in cleaning products and their IRCHS Total Hazard Values.
Source: Indiana Relative Chemical Hazard Score (IRCHS) www.ecn.purdue.edu/
| CAS Number | Ingredient | Total Hazard Number |
| 151-56-4 | Aziridine | 60.7 |
| 7664-39-3 | Hydrofluoric Acid | 50.0 |
| 71-43-2 | Benzene | 48.0 |
| 50-00-0 | Formaldehyde | 43.1 |
| 127-18-4 | Perchloroethylene | 37.5 |
| 7647-01-0 | Hydrochloric Acid | 36.7 |
| 7782-50-5 | Chlorine | 31.6 |
| 64-19-7 | Acetic Acid | 29.8 |
| 7664-93-9 | Sulfuric Acid | 29.3 |
| 108-88-3 | Toluene | 29.1 |
| 75-09-2 | Methylene Chloride | 27.2 |
| 1332-21-4 | Asbestos (Friable) | 25.6 |
| 84-74-2 | Dibutyl Phthalate | 24.8 |
| 67-56-1 | Methanol | 24.7 |
| 7664-41-7 | Ammonia | 21.8 |
| 111-76-2 | 2-butoxyethanol (Butyl Cellosolve) | 20.5 |
| 1310-58-3 | Potassium Hydroxide | 19.2 |
| 141-43-5 | Monoethanolamine | 17.2 |
| 7664-38-2 | Phosphoric Acid | 17.2 |
| 7681-52-9 | Sodium Hypochlorite | 16.8 |
| 64742-88-7 | Stoddard Solvent | 16.6 |
| 6834-92-0 | Sodium Metasilicate | 16.2 |
| 107-21-1 | Ethylene Glycol | 16.0 |
| 67-64-1 | Acetone | 15.9 |
| 1341-49-7 | Ammonium Bifluoride | 15.0 |
| 67-63-0 | Isopropyl Alcohol | 14.2 |
| 57-55-6 | Propylene Glycol | 14.2 |
| 34590-94-8 | Dipropylene glycol methyl ether | 13.4 |
| 1310-73-2 | Sodium Hydroxide | 13.3 |
| 64-17-5 | Ethyl Alcohol (Ethanol) | 13.2 |
| 57018-52-7 | Propylene glycol butyl ether | 10.3 |
| 79-14-1 | Glycolic Acid | 9.9 |
| 111-90-0 | Carbitol Cellosolve | 9.2 |
| 68424-85-1 | Quaternary Ammonium Chloride | 8.2 |
| 5989-27-5 | d-limonene | 7.8 |
| 7320-34-5 | Tetrapotassium pyrophosphate | 5.2 |
| 77-92-9 | Citric Acid | 3.4 |
| 1066-33-7 | Ammonium Bicarbonate | 2.1 |
| 7722-84-1 | Hydrogen Peroxide (7%) | 1.9 |
| 113976-90-2 | Alkyl Polyglycoside Surfactant | 0.2 |
| 7732-18-5 | Water | 0.0 |
* The lower the score, the more favorable the evaluation.
Not all restrooms are created equal. The supplies needed to service a restroom in a hotel room can be very different than servicing a restroom in a manufacturing plant. The age of the restroom fixtures, types of surfaces, water hardness, foot traffic, frequency of cleaning, experience of cleaning staff, expectation of customers can all influence the cleaning products needed to clean the restroom.
There is plenty of controversy about how many cleaning products are needed for proper restroom care. Ask any facilities manager to list the cleaning products used to care for their restrooms and the list will amaze even them. A basic rule should be, use the least amount of cleaning products necessary to meet your specific needs. In most cases, this means reducing the number of chemical cleaning products currently being used to maintain your restrooms. The least number of cleaning products are needed when a restroom is properly cleaned and maintained. An effective restroom care program will have two lists of chemical cleaning products. The first is a list of chemical cleaning products needed for daily care of the restroom. The second list is the chemical cleaning products needed for specialty purposes caused by hard water conditions, aging facilities and fixtures, abnormal restroom usage or a poor cleaning operation.
Disinfectant Cleaner
Glass and Multi Surface Cleaner
*Non-Acid or Mild Acid Washroom Cleaner
*This product may not be needed. Many organizations select a disinfectant cleaner that can be used for all of the surfaces in the restroom including toilets and urinals. If your organization selects one of these products then this product may not be needed for daily care.
Air Fresheners or Odor Control Agents
Grout Cleaner
Drain Cleaner
Mineral Stain Remover
Stainless Steel Cleaner/Polish
Shower Room Cleaner
Mildew Stain Remover
Graffiti Remover
Floor Sealer
Acid Based Toilet/Urinal Cleaner
Non-Acid Toilet/Urinal Cleaner
By answering the question above, we can identify the chemical cleaning products needed to accomplish the job. Look at the list below. It includes specific things you would want to see when entering a properly cleaned restroom. Consider each item and then identify and write down the chemical cleaning product needed to achieve the objective. When you complete the exercise, you will have your list of products. Remember the basic rule for selecting chemical cleaning products: Select
The restroom is considered clean when:
1. All dispensers are clean and correctly filled with the appropriate supplies.
2. All restroom fixtures are clean and free of all soils, smudges, fingerprints, marks, oils and other residues.
3. All toilets and toilet seats are clean, dry and free of all soils, urine, body fluids, spots, splatters, stains and other residues.
4. All urinals and urinal screens are clean, dry and free of all soils, urine, body fluids, spots, splatters, stains and other residues.
5. All sinks and drinking fountains are clean, dry and free of all water spots, soils, splatters, soap deposits and other residues.
6. All floor drain covers are clean and free of soils, lint, mop strings, dirt and other residues.
7. All restroom floor surfaces are clean, dry, slip resistant and free of soils, dirt, buildups, gum, urine, feces, body fluids, mildew, mold and other residues.
8. All ceiling vents are clean and free of all soils, lint and other residues.
9. All mirrors and metal fixtures are clean and free of smudges, fingermarks, splatters, water spots, streaks and other soils and residues.
10. Restroom air is fresh and free of unpleasant odors.
11. All partitions, doors, doorknobs, walls and ceilings are clean and free of soils, smudges, fingermarks, splatters, water spots, graffiti and other residues.
12. All horizontal surfaces including countertops and ledges are clean and free of soils and dirt deposits.
13. All lights are operating properly and light fixtures are clean, free of all soils and residues.
14. All trash has been properly removed from the receptacles with a clean liner installed correctly into the clean receptacle.
15. All trash and debris has been removed from the restroom and disposed of properly
List of Surfaces Maintained With
DISINFECTANT CLEANER
Soap, Towel, Tissue and Feminine Hygiene Dispensers
Toilets and Urinals
Sinks and Drinking Fountains
Floor Drains and Air Vents
Floors, Baseboards and Corners
Partitions, Doors, Door Fixtures and Kick Plates
Walls, Ceilings and Ledges (High and Low)
Cabinets and Shelves
Fixtures (Miscellaneous)
Trash Receptacles (Inside and Out)
Mirrors and Glass
Stainless Steel Surfaces
Light Fixtures
Fixtures (Low Contamination Contact Surfaces)
Heavy Soils on Toilet Bowls
Heavy Soils on Urinals
Summary
Effective restroom care like any cleaning process is a proper blend of planning, organization, standardization, training, skills, attitude, tools, safety and chemicals. The chemical cleaning product is an important element in proper restroom care. But it cannot substitute for poor planning or organization, lack of standards, reckless safety, ineffective training, bad attitudes, lack of skills, laziness or poorly maintained tools. Hazardous chemical cleaning products have found their way into many restroom care programs because the other elements of the cleaning process have failed. For example, when toilets are not properly cleaned because of poor planning or ineffective training the result is mineral buildups and stains. The unsightly stains must be removed, so hazardous and aggressive acids products are selected to fix the problem. A well-planned restroom care program will prevent the stains and eliminate the need for hazardous chemicals. The basic rule should be to select chemical cleaning products that are effective and yet safe for workers, building occupants and environmental surfaces.
