Customer and Community
Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Commitments
Coastwide Laboratories is committed to providing products that meet the performance standards of the market and at the same time comply with the strict regulatory requirements of the government. In addition, we are committed to being a leader in the research and development of products that are formulated with concern for the health and safety of maintenance professionals throughout our industry. In this document, we have summarized some of the ways that we are acting as a responsible corporate citizen.
Environmental Commitments
Biodegradability
We make every effort to select ingredients that degrade or break down through normal
waste water treatment systems. More than 98% of all Coastwide Laboratories' cleaners and
degreasers contain biodegradable surfactants.
Phosphate Free
State and local governments are beginning to pass regulations to reduce the phosphates
entering streams and waterways. Coastwide Laboratories manufactures a complete line of
phosphate free products.
Pollution Standards
The appropriate product disposal information is listed on every Coastwide Laboratories'
material safety data sheet.
Recyclable Packaging
Coastwide Laboratories' products are packaged in attractive High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) plastic containers coded 2, which is the most desirable Society of Plastics Industries (SPI) plastics for recycling. We offer paper hand towels, tissue and wipers made from recycled paper.
Reusable Packaging
Coastwide Laboratories' customers can reuse empty containers including 5-gallon pails or 55-gallon drums which can be used as trash receptacles and storage bins. Reusing containers can significantly contribute to waste reduction.
No Ozone-Depleting Chemicals
P&R voluntarily stopped using ozone-depleting chemicals before use was prohibited and/or restricted by law in 1978.
VOC Compliant
P&R voluntarily reduced levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Currently, all P&R manufactured products meet the VOC requirements for the State of California which has the toughest VOC laws in the United States.
Zinc Free
Coastwide Laboratories offers a zinc free floor finish for customers that face a zinc restriction. We have offered this product since 1988.
Health and Safety Commitments
Chemical Risk and Information System (CRIS) Program
Coastwide Laboratories is committed to protecting the health and safety of professional maintenance staff. All P&R products and material safety data sheets are reviewed and approved by the Chemical Risk and Information System (CRIS) program at Oregon Health Sciences University.
Proper Labeling
All Coastwide Laboratories' labels comply with the regulations for the Environmental Protection Agency, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Department of Transportation, United States Department of Agriculture and other local, State and Federal agencies.
Standardized Material Safety Data Sheets
The new American National Standards Institute (ANSI) material safety data sheet format was adopted by Coastwide Laboratories in January 1990. This sixteen-part standard provides customers with a variety of product information related to environmental, health and safety information.
Material Safety Data Sheet Information Listed at Poison Centers Both Nationally and Locally
All Coastwide Laboratories' material safety data sheets are listed nationally through Poisindex and locally through Oregon Poison Center. Our MSDSs are also available with a phone call to our customer service center or by contacting our 24-hour Technical Support FaxBack System (503-280-1601) or on our internet web site (www.prclean.com).
Ban the Use of EGBE (Butyl)
More people are beginning to question the safety of ethylene glycol monobutyl ether (EGBE). It's a common component in degreasers, strippers and window cleaners. The toxicology profile indicates potential adverse effects on the liver, kidney and red blood cells. All Coastwide Laboratories' products are free of ethylene glycol monobutyl ether (EGBE).
UL Classification and Listings
Controlling floor surface slip resistance is important to us and our customers. This is why all Coastwide Laboratories' finishes, sealers, restorers and coatings carry the UL mark for slip resistance. Products are routinely tested, classified and listed by Underwriters Laboratories to certify that the slip resistance is above the universally accepted standard of 0.5 static coefficient of friction.
Expert Witness
We provide professional staffs that are technical experts available for testifying on a variety of environmental, health and safety issues. These include issues like slips and falls, indoor air quality, hazard communication, hazardous materials disposal, bloodborne pathogen standard, government regulations and cleaning materials.
24-Hour Emergency Access
Coastwide Laboratories maintains two 24-Hour emergency numbers. One for medical emergencies and the other for transportation and spill emergencies. The medical emergency number is 800-808-4691 and the transportation emergency number is 800-424-9300. They are both staffed by well-trained, professional staffs.
Commitment to Dilution Control
Coastwide Laboratories was a pioneer in dilution control systems. We have installed more dilution control buttons than another manufacturer or distributor in Oregon. Our commitment was made early and we remain fully committed to dilution control. Research and development continues at P&R to find more ways to satisfy the marketplace's dilution control demands.
Commitment to Protecting the Drinking Water
Coastwide Laboratories was first in protecting the drinking water from cross contamination from dilution control systems. We installed Reduced Pressure Zone high hazard back flow preventers on all Quick Mix systems when other companies were using non-approved back flow protection. We were the first to use the new air gap technology to replace the RPZ protection. We continue to work on finding even better ways to protect the drinking water from cross connection contamination.
