Good Day,

Please find attached three good articles on selecting safer disinfectants.

The first article is from Sanitary Maintenance Magazine. The second article is from Contracting Profits, and written by Stephen Ashkin, the leading Green Consultant in North America. The third is from Maintenance Supplies Magazine and provides a good overview of disinfectants and what to look for.

Green Seal has no short-term plans for a Green Criteria for Disinfectants. Furthermore, the US - EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) will not allow any manufacturer to market a disinfectant by displaying any Green Certification logo as they feel their approval is sufficient for protecting people and the environment. The EcoLogo/Environmental Choice Program had a criteria that included disinfectants (ECP 57), but has since replaced it with a new CCD -166 Criteria specifically for disinfectants. However, we feel the new criteria is not complete nor thorough enough for practical applications.

With regard to choosing a safer disinfectant for people and being more environmentally responsible, Enviro-Solutions offers ES 64 and 256. Both were EcoLogo Certified under their old program – ECP 57. ES 64 and 256 are neutral pH, dual quat, without NPE as a surfactant or 2-butoxyethanol as a builder, low in fragrance, no VOC, approved for Hospital Use, very broad in kill claims, and registered in Canada with DIN and the USA with EPA. ES 64 is a great GP cleaner (due to the quality and quantity of surfactant). Check out the Microbial Efficacy Data Sheets for these two products and compare to other disinfectants. As you know, a key consideration for a facility is to ensure the disinfectant selected does have the Registered Kill Claims for the bacteria, fungus, viruses, etc. of concern to that specific facility (not all disinfectants nor hospital use disinfectants have the same kill claims), and the product does in fact perform with the cleaning efficacy required given the type and load of soils, substrates, cleaning frequencies, equipment and custodial hardware used, etc. (as it is critical to remove soils prior to disinfecting or sanitizing).

Also as you know, as any disinfectant, ES 64 or 256 should be used responsibly, sparingly (where and when required), and for the critical cross-contamination points such as toilet seats, push bars/plates, faucets, handles, telephones, etc. within the building. Training can be supplied. Furthermore, our product will be supplied in ‘closed’ dispensing packaging, meaning that the likelihood of people or the environment coming into contact with the concentrate product is extreme, and by using our dilution control system, you will be assured of the proper dilution, at every use.


The Right Kind Clean

Green Disinfectants

What Makes a Disinfectant Green?