Education

Children are our greatest asset and the most vulnerable members of our society. Providing a safe and healthy environment for their education is essential to our future. But in many schools, harmful and toxic chemicals are used for daily floor care operations throughout the building. Exposure to some of these harmful chemicals has been linked to several physiological issues including learning disabilities, inhibited neurological development and even cancer. School administrators, maintenance managers and parents should all be aware that effective green cleaning solutions are available that may reduce the risks present in our schools.

Learn more about Amano Pioneer Eclipse products:

Vinyl Floor Care
Wood Floor Care
Carpet Care
Hard Floor Maintenance Systems
Dilution Control
Sanitation Solutions

Many adults are affected by these harmful toxins, too. But children are even more susceptible to the odors, fragrances and fumes produced by some floor care systems. Children breathe more frequently and deeply than adults resulting in a greater intake of airborne particulates and dust. Additionally, children are more likely to come into contact with surfaces contaminated by these chemicals when they sit on floors, rest their heads on treated surfaces or engage in hand-to-mouth activities. Still growing and developing, children have different and longer lasting health effects from these harmful toxins than adults. Though adults may be at risk, children are more likely to touch harmful chemicals on any flat surface within their reach.

EnviroStar® Green products can help reduce the harmful effects of conventional floor care products. Produced by Amano Pioneer Eclipse®, these green floor strippers, cleaners, coatings and maintainers do more with less. They perform as well as or better than most comparable conventional products and do so without the odors, fragrances and toxins found in other comparable products. Even better, EnviroStar Green products clean and protect floors and reduce their environmental impact without breaking the budget.

Green products like EnviroStar Green contain less harmful ingredients than their counterparts. A typical floor coating has a VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) level greater than 10 percent. VOC’s are gasses emitted from certain solids and liquids that may have short or long term adverse health effects. EnviroStar Green floor coatings have a VOC content of 2.6 percent or less. Even more, the proven durability of EnviroStar Green floor care systems result in less frequent stripping and recoating operations. Limiting these functions lowers costs and further reduces the release of VOC’s.

Amano Pioneer Eclipse green products have been formulated in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency’s Design for the Environment Program (DfE). This program promotes the integration of cleaner, smarter, and environmentally preferable solutions into everyday business practices. Many EnviroStar Green primary floor care components are Green Seal® certified. Green Seal is an independent non-profit organization that uses science based standards for a more sustainable world. These two independent bodies validate the performance characteristics of EnviroStar Green products in making schools and the whole planet safer environments for children.

Amano Eclipse currently manufactures more than 20 green products. All EnviroStar Green products are DfE recognized and many are Green Seal certified. EnviroStar Green products contain none of the following:

• NO Zinc-based cross linking agents.
• NO Ethylene glycol-based coalescent solvents.
• NO Bioaccumulative fluorocarbon surfactants.
• NO VOC’s exceeding regulatory limits.
• NO environmentally toxic preservatives.
• NO NO alkyl phenol ethoxylate surfactants.
• NO 2-butoxyethanol.
• NO phosphates.
• NO ethanolamine or ammonia.
• NO flammable solvents.
• NO added fragrances.
• NO non-recyclable packaging.

But children are not the only ones to benefit from green floor care. The school’s janitorial staff is more at risk than any other building occupant. A study published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine found that janitorial workers and firefighters experience the highest rates of occupational asthma. Research tells us that improving IEQ (Indoor Environmental Quality) will reduce the affects of building related health problems - improving worker performance and reducing absenteeism. Since floor care and sanitation chemicals and processes directly affect the quality of the indoor air, choosing the EnviroStar Green system can have a major impact on the health of any school.

Another important consideration is the type of equipment used during floor care treatments. Amano Pioneer Eclipse manufactures a full line of battery and propane powered strippers, scrubbers and burnishers. Many of these machines can help earn valuable LEED points for an educational facility and may prove to be a more efficient alternative than other types of equipment.

Amano Pioneer Eclipse also manufactures a line of sanitation and hygiene products ideally suited for restrooms and shower facilities. These products include glass cleaners, non-acid washroom cleaners, all purpose peroxide cleaners and spray and wipe degreasers. To prevent the spread of germs and bacteria EnviroStar Green offers germicidal detergents and disinfectants with powerful chemical formulations that are safe and effective. These cleaning products are another part of an overall cleaning strategy to combat the health concerns in today’s educational facilities.

Clean facilities promote positive attitudes in all of its occupants. Clean floors and restrooms promote healthy environments, combat the spread of germs and bacteria and improve the indoor environmental quality. Amano Pioneer Eclipse machinery and EnviroStar Green chemicals provide a simple integrated solution to complex cleaning problems found in every school, college and university. A clean, green, safe solution is just one step to ensure our children have a safe and healthy environment to grow.