W
hen Olivia Claus, Manager of
Custodial Services for Howard County Public Schools
in Maryland, began rolling out a green
cleaning program in her district, she was
met with some skepticism from veteran
custodians. Many of them, based on
their previous experiences, still associated the “bleach smell” with effective
cleaning. But the same harmful chemicals that create the “bleach smell” are
more likely to make students—and their
fellow team members—very sick.
Claus and her team saw the need
for a shift in focus, making the health
of students and staff the highest priority
when cleaning. Now, thanks to a robust
green cleaning program, student and
staff are no longer exposed to harsh
chemicals and toxins. The new
products and procedures the
district has adopted are safe and
effective. The role of the custodial
team has evolved from sanitation to
leadership on an important school
health matter.
Howard County was recognized
for their efforts in cleaning for health
last year through American School and
University’s Green Cleaning Awards. But
the most important reward is the healthy
environment students and staff have in
which to learn and work.
School facilities managers are
learning that healthy students are better
learners, and they play an important
role in promoting school wellness. The
day-to-day classroom environment has
a significant impact on student health.
A room full of dust, VOCs or chemical
residue can exacerbate chronic health
conditions such as asthma, make students ill or otherwise impede them from
focusing on their schoolwork.
One way that schools can make
a real difference for the health of students and staff is by establishing a green
cleaning program. Green cleaning refers
to cleaning operations that emphasize
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