KEY CONCEPTS

Plan of Action

Collaborating with the facilities and operations staff as a designer or engineer can also earn the building LEED Pilot credit – Safety First: Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Space. Refer to that document for greater detail regarding LEED Pilot credits and WELL credits. Cleaning and disinfecting can effect flooring and solid surfaces differently, be sure to check with the manufacturer to ensure the integrity of the finish will uphold through the new or updated cleaning practices.

Chemicals, the Indoor Environment & Human Health

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released List-N, a list of approved active ingredients and products for disinfecting against SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19). This list includes products containing quaternary ammonium, or quats for short, that are lung irritants and can contribute to asthma and other breathing problems. This is a concern in general for occupants’ health and indoor air quality but especially amidst a pandemic illness that specifically attacks the respiratory system. Increasing the use of these harmful chemicals can increase the VOC’s in the air, potentially putting occupants at a higher risk.

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a chemical compound that is listed on Green Seal’s document outlining safer guidelines for COVID-19 disinfecting that is listed on both the EPA’s Safer Choice chemical ingredients and an approved active ingredient on the EPA’s List-N. When H2O2 breaks down, it turns into water, making it safe for skin contact, the person applying it to surfaces, indoor air quality, and an effective disinfectant. Be cognizant that just because a product contains H2O2 doesn’t automatically make it the better choice. For example, the combination of H2O2 and peroxyacetic acid is a designated AOEC asthmagen, so avoid products that contain both. Do some research on the ingredients before ultimately selecting it for the list of products used for surface disinfecting.

Avoid extreme cleaning practices, such as dousing floors with bleach, allowing chemicals to sit on surfaces longer than the recommended time, and using products that will damage architectural finishes. It is best practice to read the label’s instructions and train maintenance staff to perform regular cleaning and disinfecting practices.

Product Labels & Selection

In general, choosing products with third party green/clean ingredient certifications is a good rule of thumb when selecting safe and effective products for disinfecting surfaces (see examples of third party product certifications above in figures 1-4). It is also advised that the ingredient list is cross-checked with the EPA’s List-N and Safer Choice chemicals list when specifically targeting SARS-CoV-2. If there isn’t already a cleaning routine in place, now is a good time to integrate safe, clean products that prioritize human health. The benefit of having third party labels is guaranteeing that the products stand up to levels of quality and transparency vetted by an independent organization. LEED recently released a pilot credit pertaining to COVID-19 cleaning and disinfecting. 

Sustainability impacts of mitigation efforts

In a scenario where a product is selected for COVID-19 disinfection is applied onto an architectural finish that is not designed to resist harsh chemicals, not only will there be adverse long term health effects to occupants and maintenance staff but the building’s carbon footprint will also suffer when finishes need replacing or repairing. When assessing cleaning practices, there are both short term and long term sustainability efforts to consider. A short term effort includes maintaining healthy environments by cleaning with soap and water and disinfecting surfaces indoors. The long term effects include the cost of disinfecting materials and health effects to staff and occupants. For example, using disposable, single-use  wipes as a long term solution will create unnecessary landfill waste and single-use plastic. The chemicals on the disposable wipes also have the potential to increase indoor VOC levels and create a poor IAQ. The long term effect of poor IAQ for occupants is becoming sick and therefore, missing work, and decreased productivity. If a disinfectant chemical has many functions, it can increase the efficiency of time in the long term. Long term effects of the production of some toxic pesticides used for disinfection can also affect the local environment of the labs or factories they are made in. Emerging technologies such as electrostatic sprays, ultraviolet, ozone, or steam (Figure 2) are being tested by the CDC and EPA for efficacy and safety.