The technologies have changed so much in the last 5 years, and our industry has not kept up, it is somewhat similar to the telecommunication industry where a cell phone or computer is obsolete as of the day you take delivery of it. Our industry for various reasons has not kept pace with the chemical advances available to us. RTS is pleased to say that our safer, greener less toxic chemicals are no more expensive and as effective if not more effective as the older products that predominate in our industry.
 

I love this question, as a student many, many years ago I can remember when there was probably one or two students in a class room of 35 children with allergies, and possibly one or two students in the entire school with severe Asthma. Now, I was shocked to hear recently in my son’s class room there were 10-15 students with problem allergies and several children with Asthma involving extreme sensitivities to various chemical and food odours, and most shocking, one child who regrettably could die if he was within 50 feet of a peanut butter sandwich at lunch time. “Times Are a Changing..” as the song goes. It is important for our industry to take the lead by eliminating as many VOC’s and toxic components in our cleaning chemicals as possible, so we become part of the solution to this multifaceted problem.
 

The US Federal trade commission tells all consumers to be aware of fraudulent claims. So how do we as maintenance professionals verify such a thing? The MSDS is your first line of defence with any product. Notice the number of ingredients in the hazardous ingredient section and then don’t be afraid to call the manufacturer or the sales representative for clarification and don’t settle for a stock answer. The information is out there so persevere for a proper and full answer and if it does seem to fit the level of hazard as decrypted in the MSDS then tell them so, by asking for more information on the actual raw material in question.
 

Most carpet cleaning chemicals contain fairly high levels of an ingredient called…GLYCOL ETHERS…most of these glycol ethers especially the ones containing butyl are very harmful to the respiratory system and should not be used in a carpet, when such an ingredient goes in to a carpet most of it is extracted but considerable levels remain in the carpet . The odour lasts for days, and your client is breathing this unpleasantness. RTS does not utilize Glycol Ethers in their carpet care program. There is very little residual odour left in the office or dwelling after extracting with our product.
 

Education and training is the answer. Firstly, there must be an initiative to be taken by management. For example for years custodians have been stripping floors with high levels of Butyl Glycol Ether in the stripping solution. Some manufacturers include as much as 30% with their formula, and as a result the custodial staff is literally choking within the confines of their work area. Butyl catches a person right in the back of the throat and in time their lungs are sore and tight from inhaling the VOC’s from this product. The training and demonstration for this problem will be appreciated quickly and dramatically …in terms of no identifiable odour …and no choking, and later on in the night or day when the work is done there will be lungs that do not ache.