Reduced toxics use in communities & environmental health

Reduced Toxics Use in Communities &

Environmental Health

P. K. Melethil

Zero Waste Alliance – Technical Services

Healthy Places, Healthy People Project, awarded to the Josiah Hill Clinic, Portland, Oregon. Funded by an Environmental Protection Agency CARE II Grant.

Communities in Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) PROJECT: Healthy Places, Healthy People

GOALS Reduce health risks due to exposure to environmental pollutants, specifically chemicals found in and around homes, by utilizing a community-based collaborative approach.

P. K. Melethil ZWA Technical Services

Project Sponsors: Josiah Hill Clinic, Environmental Protection Agency

OBJECTIVES

1) Reduce toxins found in and around home environments.

2) Educate landlords and property owners about less toxic alternatives for property maintenance.

3) Reduce toxins within N/NE Portland by promoting green alternatives for goods and services.

NOTE

JHC is also working with residents/tenants along similar lines.



APPROACH Identify environmentally friendly and less toxic products that affordable housing property managers and owners may use to reduce tenant exposure from toxins and chemical hazards associated with 1. cleaning supplies 2. carpet cleaning 3. pest and rodent control supplies 4. fertilizers and pesticides 5. paints



ZWA Focus: Objective 2

Educate landlords and property management companies within North/Northeast Portland about less toxic alternatives for property maintenance.

NOTE

Cost-effectiveness of green options should include externalized costs (i.e., damage to health, commons) that are often neglected.



Risk = Toxicity x Exposure (x Health Status)

: Chronic vs Acute

Consider concentrations i.e., levels, amounts & duration Chronic: often low level, but long term exposures i.e., weeks, months, years Acute: high concentrations, often due to an unexpected events e.g. spills, accidents



Risk= Toxicity x Exposure (x Health Status)

Issues to consider

Indoor vs Outdoor concentrations indoor concentrations (VOCs) are often higher (LBNL, 2003)

Affected Populations: janitors, contractors-workers, residents, pets

Variability in Populations: Sensitive groups children, pregnant women, elderly

respiratory system (Lung)I ssues- COPD, asthma organ transplant, auto-immune disorders, etc. NOTES Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) definition of “readily biodegradable”, adopted by City of Santa Monica (EPP)



◊Acrolein (PEL: 0.1 ppm)

◊Formaldehyde ◊Acetaldehyde ◊Acetic Acid ◊Benzene ◊ Toluene ◊ Naphthalene ◊Tetrachloroethene



Aldehydes

Aromatics

Chlorinated solvents

Indoor Air Quality- VOCs of concern

106 VOCs reported in existing and new residences and in office buildings

40 Hazardous or Toxic compounds

Volatile Organic Compounds in Indoor Air: A Review of Concentrations Measured in North America Since 1990.

ALFRED T. HODGSON, HAL LEVIN LBNL-51715 (April 21, 2003)

NOTE: Portland area Radon (gas) can be an issue.

Precautionary Principle (Principle 15, Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, 1992)

"In order to protect the environment, the precautionary approach shall be widely applied by States according to their capabilities. Where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason for postponing cost-effective measures to prevent environmental degradation."

Why?



Many chemical substances in use have not been fully studied with regard to health & environmental impacts.

Precautionary Principle (contd.) (Principle 15, Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, 1992)

Why?



Chemicals can “move around” after application

Pesticides/chemicals change after being metabolized by insects or after being exposed to the environment

Unintended environmental & ecological impacts are possible Persistent and Bioaccumulative Toxins (PBTs) Endocrine disruptors: effective at low (ppb) levels, like hormones, limited data available

Disposal Costs (usually increase over time)

Many chemical substances in use have not been fully studied with regard to health & environmental impacts.

Hazardous Materials Identification System

The National Paint & Coatings Association, Inc. (NPCA) developed the Hazardous Materials Identification System (HMIS®) to aid employers in the implementation of an effective Hazard Communication Program. Now known as the American Coatings Association.

http://www.paint.org/



HMIS Ratings

0: Insignificant 1: Slight 2: Moderate 3: High 4: Extreme

3 Parameters listed on product labels and MSDS

◊Health ◊Physical Hazard (Reactivity) ◊Flammability

OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) Subpart Z, Toxic and Hazardous Substances, 29 CFR 1910.1200

Employer Guidelines •MSDS info- accurate (current), available •PPE required for use

Local Resources: OR-OSHA, Consultation Services http://www.orosha.org/consultation.html



Cleaning Supplies (examples)

*Cleaning agents (ethanol, butoxypropanol), quaternary, water, colorant and perfume.

H R F

SPIC & SPAN Disinfecting Cleaner 1 0 2 Disinfecting Hard Surface Cleaner

Ethyl alcohol 1-4%

2-aminoethanol 0.1-1%

SPIC & SPAN Disinfecting Cleaner Concentrate 3 0 3 Disinfecting Hard Surface Cleaner

Ethyl alcohol 12-25%

2-aminoethanol 1-5%

COMET-Liquid Disinfecting Bathroom Cleaner Concentrate 1 0 0 Liquid Surface Sanitizing Cleaner

NOTE: Citric acid (3-7%) listed in 2007, not in 2004

uman (Workers, Residents) exposure ingestion, inhalation, dermal

oxicity nvironmental impacts ersistence (Indoor air, Landfills)

Training and Procedures for workers (residents) to minimize exposures



Cleaning Supplies fficacy

ost

http://www.ewg.org/files/2009/10/school-cleaners/general-purpose.png



Product Certifications Green Seal EcoLogo

People who work in domestic or industrial cleaning are at higher risk of developing asthma than professional employees in Europe and the United States. Increased risk of asthma has also been associated with some specific job tasks, such as cleaning windows and washing dishes. Cleaning Chemicals and Their Impact on Indoor Environments and Health www.greenguard.org

Green Cleaning by the Numbers http://www.dep.state.fl.us/green/gc_facts.htm

3,000: the number in tons of paper towels sent to landfills each day.

100: the number of dollars your family could save by replacing paper towels with microfiber cloths or towels.

215,780: the number of exposure cases called into poison centers in 2007 involving household cleaning substances; 118,068 of those calls involved exposure to children age five and under.

100: the number of times higher that indoor air pollution levels can be above outdoor air pollution levels, according to U.S. EPA estimates.

17,000: the number of petrochemicals available for home use, of which only 30 percent have been tested for exposure to human health and the environment.

63: the number of synthetic chemical products found in the average American home, translating to roughly 10 gallons of harmful chemicals.

275: the number of active ingredients in antimicrobials that the EPA classifies as pesticides because they are designed to kill microbes.



Green Cleaning Products- Criteria (EWG)

do not contain ingredients that cause asthma

reduce unnecessary use of “antibacterial” agents

safer for workers

better for the environment

do not contain chemicals of concern common in traditional cleaning products:

Carcinogens, mutagens, and reproductive toxins Heavy metals- e.g., Pb, Cr(VI), Se 2-Butoxyethanol Phthalates Alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs) >> alkylphenols, potent hormone-disrupting chemicals

EWG : Environmental Working Group



Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/epp/index.htm

Minimizes exposure to concentrates No ozone depleting substances Recyclable packaging, Reduced packaging Recycled-content in packaging Reduced bio-concentration factor Reduced flammability Reduced or no added dyes, except when added for safety purposes Reduced or no added fragrances Reduced or no skin irritants Reduced or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

Green Seal Standards GENERAL-PURPOSE, BATHROOM, GLASS, AND CARPET CLEANERS USED FOR HOUSEHOLD PURPOSES (GS-8 Rev.2, 2007) INDUSTRIAL & INSTITUTIONAL CLEANERS (GS-37 Rev.5, 2009)

Eco Logo http://www.ecologo.org/en/certifiedgreenproducts/



http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/epp/index.htm

Carpet cleaning (examples)



H R F

Urine Pre-Treat Plus Proprietary Mix, pH:3.0

T-RUST CS12 2 0 0 Rust Remover

Ammonium Hydrogen Fluoride 5%

Dipropylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether 5%

P.I.G. CS09 1 0 3 Paint, Ink & Grease Remover

Diethylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether 30-60%

Isopropyl Acetate 10-30%

Ethylene Glycol 10-30%

Isopropylamine Alkyl benzenesulfomnate 3-7%

Bio Break CC18 2 0 0 Powdered Enzyme Prespray

Sodium Tripolyphosphate 50-60%

Sodium Carbonate 14-20%

Surfactants (mixed) 5-15%

Sodium Metasilicate 3-7%

D-limonene >3%

Diethylene glycol monoethyl ether >3%

Carpet cleaning (examples)



Microban Disinfectant Spray Plus Commercial Sanitizer-Deodorizer

2-Propanol 5-10%

dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride EWG reports on potential hazards

Liqua Gel 1 0 2 Spot Cleaner

D-Limonene 90-95%

Kill Odor 1 0 0 Deodorizer

Alcohol Ethoxylate

Forumula 90 (Powdered, w Biosolv; pH:10-11) 2 0 0 Concentrated carpet detergent

Alcohol Ethoxylate

Disodium Trioxosilicate Corrosive

Trisodium Nitriloacetate Carcinogenic, >0.1%

Carpet cleaning (concerns, fixes) chemical hazards Children (pets) at risk playing on carpet, eating items off the floor Respiratory hazards Discharges of cleaning wastes to the environment

VOCs (e.g., 2-butoxyethanol- hemolytic, in Kill Odor 2009)

Phosphates (eutrophication: <0.5%, Green Seal GS-37)

Certified Products

EcoLogo, Green Seal, Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) CRI: http://www.carpet-rug.org/

Equipment- performance characteristics (high pickup, vacuum)

Technician/Operator training



Pest and Rodent control (examples)



H R F

Orthene-Acephate 1 1 1 Organophosphate pesticide

(O,S-Dimethyl–acetylphosphoramidothioate) 94.5-99.1%, possible carcinogen

ORTHENE Crack & Crevice® Pressurized Residual Formula 1 1 1 3 Pressurized pesticide

1% Acephate

Mother Earth D Pest Control Dust 1 1 0 Diatomaceous Earth, Pest Control

Phantom-chlorfenapyr Insecticide- Bed Bugs

Chlorfenapyr 21.45%

Propylene Glycol 7.5%

Other/Inert 70.97%

Prescription Treatment® brand Phantom 1 0 1 Pressurized Insecticide, NFPA codes

0.5 % Chlorfenapyr

Cedar Oil 1 0 2 Insect Control

Cedar Oil 10-20%

Decamethyltetrasiloxane 30-60%

Octamethyltrisioxane 30-60%

Dodecamethylpentasiloxane 15-40%

Pest and Rodent control Housing Interventions and Health: A Review of the Evidence (National Center for Healthy Housing, 2009) *** Role of Excess Moisture - favored environment for Bedbugs Cockroaches Ants Dust Mites Mold 2° Health Impacts asthma from fecal pellets, mold spores Orthene- Acephate cholinesterase inhibitor, possible human carcinogen P. K. Melethil ZWA Technical Services


EXAMPLE H R F Phantom 1 0 1 Insecticide- Bed Bugs Chlorfenapyr : 21.45%



Acute toxicity Green Algae (76h): 132 ppb Rainbow Trout (96 hours, LC50): 7 PPB Aquatic Invert- Daphnia magna (48h, EC50): 6 ppb Duck/mallard: 8.6 ppm •Acutely very toxic to terrestrial organisms •Not readily biodegradable by OECD criteria

Uses for pesticides change quickly Reason for Issuance: New Chemical Registration Date Issued: January, 2001 Insecticide Branch , Registration Division (7505C) Office of Pesticide Programs http://www.epa.gov/opprd001/factsheets/chlorfenapyr.pdf (EPA, 2001) Pesticide Registration Comment by EPA, 2001 “Since there are no residential uses of chlorfenapyr, no chronic residential exposure is anticipated.”

http://www.epa.gov/opprd001/factsheets/chlorfenapyr.pdf

EXAMPLE H R F Maxforce roach gel 1 0 1 Fipronil : 0.5%

Termidor 2 0 1 Insecticide – Ants, termites Fipronil : 9.1%

NOTES •highly toxic to honeybees (contact) •killed 38.8-94.5% of beneficial predators such as Orius spp. (flower bug) and Geocoris spp. (big-eyed bug)



Pesticides change after they are applied and they move around in the environment

Fipronil-sulfone, the primary biological metabolite of fipronil, is reported to be twenty times more active at mammalian chloride channels than at insect chloride channels.

Fipronil-desulfinyl, the primary environmental metabolite (photoproduct) of fipronil, is 9-10 times more active at the mammalian chloride channel than the parent compound. http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/fiptech.pdf

Fipronil is used to control ants, beetles, cockroaches, fleas, ticks, termites, mole crickets, thrips, rootworms, weevils, and other insects.

Fipronil is used in granular turf products, seed treatments, topical pet care products, gel baits, liquid termiticides, and in agriculture.

Fertilizers and Pesticides (Inorganics, Green Spaces)



H R F

21-4-21 Regal Green 1 0 1 Fertilizer

Potassium Sulfate

Monoammonium Phosphate

Urea

Iron Sucrate

Potassium Chloride

Ammonium Sulfate

Calpril Calcium carbonate, CaCO3

Lime Sulfur, Calcium Polysulfide, 29%; Inert, 71% 2 0 0 fungicide, pesticide

QuickLime 12.90%

Sulfur 23.70%

Fertilizers and Pesticides (Organics, Green Spaces)



Surflan A.S. (Oryzalin) 2 0 0 herbicide

3,5-Dinitro-N4,-N4-dipropylsulfanilamide 40.4%

Propylene glycol Total Inerts @ 59.6%

Glycerine

Casoron 4G 2 0 3 herbicide

2,6-dicholorobenzonitrile 4%

Roundup Ultra 1 0 0 Herbicide, Weed Killing Compound, Monsanto

Glyphosate, N-(phosphonomethyl)Glycine, isopropylamine salt pH 4.99, 50%

Potential Impacts Runoffs- Surface Water Impacts Unintended Exposures (residents, wildlife)

Define needs Water, Fertilizers, Pesticides(?)

Organic supplements/amendments

Uses of Beneficial insects ladybugs <> aphids

Integrated Pest Management Centers http://www.ipmcenters.org/index.cfm

Western IPM Center http://www.wrpmc.ucdavis.edu/



Coordinator: Dr. Paul C. Jepson Professor & Director IPPC, Dept of Entomology , OSU Phone: (541) 737-9082 FAX: (541) 737-3643 Email: [email protected]

Fertilizers and Pesticides: Concerns & Options (Green Spaces)

http://www.ipmcenters.org/index.cfm

http://www.ipmcenters.org/index.cfm

http://www.wrpmc.ucdavis.edu/

mailto:[email protected]

Herbicides

Casoron- 2,6-dicholorobenzonitrile highly toxic- inhalation hazards (0.25 ppm, rat) runoff- toxic to aquatic organisms ( <10 ppm)

Roundup (Glyphosate) N-(phosphonomethyl)Glycine, isopropylamine salt runoff- toxic to aquatic organisms ( ~10 ppm)



Question Do we really need herbicides/pesticides for small green spaces?

Non-toxic options may be available at relatively low cost.

Paints No clear standards EPA- “Low” VOC (<250 g/L) Low VOC products ( <50 g/L) “Zero” VOC paints ( <5 g/L)

Natural/Non-Toxic Paints

Recycled paints Metro Paints

•Architectural- Outdoor paints •Indoor paints



VOCs- Latex paints (1999) Ethylene glycol Texanol Butoxyethoxyethanol (BEE) Propylene glycol Diethylene glycol

Total VOCs ~ 3% (wt)

Effect of painted surface

Steel: drying complete in a few days

Gypsum: <50% VOCs released in a year Indoor Air 9:10-17 (1999)

Miller Low VOC paint Kilz Primer



Seashell (cream) Sweet Corn (yellow) Misty (light gray)

Sand Dune (beige) Desert (khaki) Storm Cloud (dark gray)

Fawn (light brown) Spring (light green) Summer Sky (light blue)

Espresso (dark brown) Forest (dark green) Crater Lake (dark blue)

Carnation (pink) Barn red (dark red) Mountain Snow (white)

5 Gal 1 Gal Seashell (cream) $44 $10 Mountain Snow (white) Desert (khaki) Fawn (light brown) Summer Sky (light blue) Barn Red (dark red)



5 Gal 1 Gal Crater Lake (dark blue) $39 $9 Sweet Corn (yellow) Sand Dune (beige) Spring (light green) Storm Cloud (dark gray) Espresso (dark brown) Misty (light gray) Forest (dark green Carnation (pink) $34 $8

Green Seal & Master Painters Institute certified Metro premium paint

Nonprofit organization and government agency discount A $5 discount off of the price of a 5-gallon pail (any color or variety) is available to qualifying organizations.

SUCCESS in green thinking involves ◊ Support from upper management ◊ Implementation of a pilot project ◊ Commitment to the project by key employees/supervisors ◊ Education of staff in face-to-face meetings ◊ Understanding of health benefits by all ◊ Simplified purchasing and reduced storage requirements ◊ Maintenance of the vision of a cleaner environment ◊ Continuous learning- opportunities to improve

Buy Local- support Portland businesses see JHC report (Objective 3, Brianna Sherry) listing local suppliers of green products in N/NE Portland.



Thank you for participating in this project. Please provide feedback. How can we help? Follow-up and Ongoing Support - focused on specific information of interest NOTE: Healthy Places, Healthy People project formally ends on August 10, 2010. FYI Indoor Air Quality Guide: Best Practices for Design, Construction, and Commissioning (ASHRAE, 2009)



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Reduced toxics use in communities & environmental health

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