Schools that are greener make the air cleaner: Partnering with custodians for asthma-safe schools

Background: Almost one in nine work-related asthma (WRA) cases reported in California are linked to cleaning products. Custodians have high rates of WRA, large numbers of other educational services workers are affected by WRA, and 17% of children in California have been diagnosed with asthma. With one in five Californians spending their day in school, encouraging districts to use safer cleaning products is particularly important. Purpose: To create written guidelines for school districts to transition from using conventional cleaning products and methods to asthma-safer products and methods. Significance: Using green cleaners helps prevent exposure to chemicals that cause or worsen asthma. These products are third-party certified to meet health and environmental criteria. For example, they limit volatile organic compounds and prohibit carcinogens and reproductive toxicants. Green cleaning frequently reduces costs. Methodology: The Work-Related Asthma Prevention Program (WRAPP) partnered with the Green Schools Initiative and custodial and facilities directors from ten school districts. WRAPP provided technical assistance to guide districts in their transition to asthma-safer cleaning, and solicited feedback to implement the written guidelines. Findings: Facing budget cuts, custodians must accomplish more with less. Providing seed funding, training, and technical assistance helped districts transition to green cleaning. Anticipated results will show that creating guidelines written in a compelling, simple and easy-to-use format was instrumental to having districts implement the guidelines. Recommendations: Create statewide policy to ensure that all schools use safer cleaning products and methods. Continue to support schools to transition to asthma-safer cleaning.