The cleaning products used in your facility may contain chemicals that researchers have linked to serious health risks.
Indoor pollutants contain increasing levels of carcinogens, cancer-causing chemicals found in many common cleaning products. For the millions of people who spend most of their day inside commercial buildings, the exposure is constant.
What the research shows
A study examining dust and air samples from over 100 homes found chemicals from spot removers, window cleaners, and other household products at potentially harmful levels. Many of these chemicals have been identified as possible contributors to breast cancer risk.
The EPA has determined that chemicals found in everyday cleaners are three times more likely to cause cancer than other air pollutants. Breast cancer incidence has risen dramatically alongside the proliferation of synthetic cleaning chemicals over the past century.
When cleaning products are stored or used, they release colorless, odorless fumes that pollute indoor air. In buildings with recirculated HVAC systems, these chemicals cycle through the space continuously, compounding exposure.
Why this matters for facility managers
Your cleaning program affects the health of everyone in your building. If your janitorial provider is using products with known or suspected carcinogens, you're exposing your occupants to unnecessary risk.
The alternative is straightforward. Green cleaning products that are EPA-approved, non-toxic, and free of the chemical compounds flagged by researchers. These products clean just as effectively without introducing harmful substances into your indoor environment.
What you can do
Ask your janitorial provider what products they use. Request Safety Data Sheets. And consider switching to a managed cleaning program that prioritizes occupant health alongside cleaning performance.
Delta Janitorial Systems uses EPA-approved green cleaning products across all our managed programs. Schedule a free walkthrough to learn more about how we protect the people in your facility.