• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• All tests for Biodegradability, Toxicity and Aquatic Toxicity are conducted by independent labs.

• 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.

• 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.

• APE’s (Alkylphenol Ethoxylate): Are not contained in any product.

• All products contain no ozone depleting ingredients nor phosphates.

• 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

• Where possible, products are concentrated, thereby reducing chemicals and packaging, consequently waste, while reducing use costs for end-users and transportation costs for distributors.

• Endorsements: Eco-Logo/Environmental Choice for the Core Cleaners. We expect Green Seal certification for some products by September 2003.

• 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.