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Biodegradability: It is the decomposition
of organic substances into carbon dioxide, water and other harmless
substances.
Rapid biodegradation reduces impact on the environment and the
food chain. Rapid biodegration is the ratio of BOD over COD
being over 60% threshold in a 10 day window over a 28 day limit.
All our organic cleaning ingredients are readily biodegradable
per OECD (Organization of Economic Development) Test 301D at
use dilution under load and simulated real life conditions as
tested by Ortech, a Canadian government certified lab and research
company. In addition, the dosage levels are at least equal to
standard products thereby lessening the total burden on the
environment.
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Toxicity: It is defined as being a chemical
which has an LD50 of 50 milligrams (mg) or less of chemical
per kilogram (kg) of body weight. The greater the LD50, the
less toxic the product.
Our core products are considered essentially non-toxic (acute
oral/dermal) according to WHMIS and OSHA regulations, for all
but government approved disinfectants.
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Aquatic Toxicity: Our core products exceed
acute toxicity standards for fish, daphnia magna and algae at
use dilutions, thereby minimizing the impact on fish, wildlife,
drinking water and swimming locations. This is very important
to humans as it has a direct effect since it is the beginning
of the food chain and a major source for drinking water. Aquatic
toxicity should be greater than 10mg/L.
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All tests for Biodegradability, Toxicity
and Aquatic Toxicity are conducted by independent labs.
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Hazardous Ingredients: Our products contain
no carcinogens, mutagens, or teratogens. None of our core cleaning
products contain ingredients found on the U.S. Department of
Health’s “Hazardous Substances Fact Sheet”,
SARA – 313 40 CFR 372 (Toxic Chemicals), Cercla -102 –
40 CFR 302 Hazardous Substances, RCRA – CFR 261(D) Hazardous
Air Pollutants, Clean Water Act - 313 - 40 CFR 63(C) Hazardous
Water Pollutants, National Pollutant Release Inventory.
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Surfactants: The ones we use are carefully
selected so as to have the least negative effect on the environment.
We do not use LAS (Linear Alkyl Benzene Sulfonates) or DSBA,
common in many cleaners. None of our cleaners use NTA or EDTA.
In general, we rely on chelating agents (such as sodium citrate)
that do not encourage the utrification of water.
Many cleaners claim ready biodegradability based on ingredient
based testing. The review of detergents (surfactants) in the inland
waters identified the most common surfactant used LAS (Linear
Alkyl Benzene Sulfonates) as being present in significant amounts
even though LAS is readily biodegradable.
Many surfactants used in the common household and commercial
cleaners are not normally tested for effluent discharge by municipal
waste treatment plants even though they represent a significant
percentage of surfactants entering waste treatment plants.
In a review of detergents (surfactants) in the inland waters
the following conclusions were reached:
- Environmental concentrations of surfactants in the inland
waters around populated centers range between .005mg/l _and
2 mg/l.
- Surfactants can be toxic to aquatic life at concentrations
as low as .025 mg/l.
- Surfactants have demonstrated effects on aquatic life at concentrations
as low as .005 mg/l.
- Surfactants have demonstrated synergy with many chemical compounds
and may interact with other more toxic _pollutants
to create mixtures of unknown toxicological properties.

- Builders: We carefully select ones that biodegrade
readily to compounds with low environmental concerns and mild
pH. For example we use:
- Sodium Citrate
- Silicates
- Zeolites
- Maleic Anhydride Derivatives (iminodisuccinate and polyaspartic
acid)
We do try not to use:
- Inorganic phosphates
- Caustics (sodium metasilicate)
- NTA
- EDTA
- MEA
- Solvents: We carefully select ones that are
low in toxicity to the environment and to humans.
For example we use:
- Propylene Glycol Ethers
- Methyl Soyate
- Ethyle Lactate
We try not to use:
- Ethylene Glycol
- Butyl Cellusolve
- D' Limonene
- Naturally Renewable Resources: Wherever possible,
only natural based, renewable ingredients – such as grains,
corn oils, palm kernel oil, coconut oil, sugar cane juice, glucose's
and corn and soy based ethyl esters replacing petroleum based
solvents - are used in our products. Traditional formulas are
typically based on petroleum and non-renewable resources that
have definite negative impact both when they are being manufactured,
and again when they are released back into our atmosphere. In
addition, they have negative effects on health.
- NPE’s (Nonyl Phenol Ethoxylate): Only
two products (US-disinfectants) contain NPE, a known toxin and
chemical linked to widespread reproductive and sexual abnormality
problems. Our products use a replacement linear alcohol ethoxylates.
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APE’s (Alkylphenol Ethoxylate): Are
not contained in any product.
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All products contain no ozone depleting ingredients
nor phosphates.
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Packaging: Subject to availability, our bottles
and jugs are made from 10% to 25% pre - and/or post-consumer
regrind. Many of our labels are printed on plastic sleeves while
the self adhesive ones are printed with vegetable inks. The
cartons are made from recycled cardboard, both pre- and post-consumer
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Where possible, products are concentrated,
thereby reducing chemicals and packaging, consequently waste,
while reducing use costs for end-users and transportation costs
for distributors.
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Endorsements: Eco-Logo/Environmental Choice
for the Core Cleaners. We expect Green Seal certification for
some products by September 2003.
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Conclusion: Our products have been independently
proven to be more environmentally sound with respect to total
burden/impact. We make a focussed effort on ensuring our detergent
residues that end up in the aquatic environment are minimized
in quantity, toxicity and other harmful components and factors.

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2003-04. All rights reserved. |
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