State Air Board Commits to Regulating Cleaning Products

Demands from Clean Air Advocates and Janitors Union Heeded

Sacramento, California - Urged by clean air advocates and the state's largest janitors' union, the California Air Resources Board (ARB) said they will address smog-forming emissions and toxics from cleaning products at their November 26, 2008, hearing.

"We're encouraged by the board members' comments today acknowledging the negative health impacts of these products," stated Luis Cabrales, senior campaign and outreach associate of the Coalition for Clean Air (CCA). "We're especially grateful that the ARB Board directed staff to work more closely with the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) who has been a leader in this effort."

The ARB today took action to approve an updated regulation for a wide-array of consumer products. Although the current proposed regulation includes some cleaning product categories, the proposal fails to include some of the worst pollution offenders including degreasers, non-aerosol glass and multipurpose cleaners, products that are most commonly used in the home and workplace.

Testimony from Coalition for Clean Air staff, a representative and member of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 187, and SCAQMD helped drive the point home to the ARB that further emissions reductions from cleaning products are necessary.

"Janitors and building tenants are often unknowingly impacted by toxic chemicals in cleaning products," stated Laura Rico, a janitor and member of SEIU 1877. "Workers deserve safe working environments!"

The Coalition for Clean Air is working with asthma coalitions, concerned consumers, clean air and environmental health advocates, domestic workers cooperative and janitors unions to increase awareness about the dangers of smog and toxic emissions from widely-used cleaning products. Campaign partners will continue to push the State Air Board to take strong action.

For more than 35 years, the non-profit Coalition for Clean Air has been committed to restoring clean air to California. With offices in Sacramento, Los Angeles and Fresno, it is dedicated to strengthening the environmental movement by promoting broad-based community involvement, advocating responsible public policy and providing technical expertise.

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