| We find ourselves in a day and age that is seeing an | | | | Volatile Organic Compounds and the Environment- |
| ever-growing emphasis on eco-friendly or "green" | | | | One focus of air pollution is in the lowest level of the |
| practices. The purpose of 'going green' is to address | | | | atmosphere, the air we live and breathe in. As far as |
| human illnesses that arise from exposure as well as | | | | the lower level of the atmosphere goes, the major |
| damage to the environment (water, soil, air) from | | | | concern was/is aerosols contribution to smog, |
| disposal of certain products, according to Wikipedia. | | | | lowering the quality of the air we breathe and its |
| In an industry that revolves around cleaning supplies, | | | | affect on global warming. |
| this is no different- as a matter of fact the spotlight | | | | Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's) released into the |
| is shining directly on us. "Green cleaning" is a hot topic; | | | | air, react with sunlight and nitrogen oxides to create |
| a term that describes a growing trend in favor of | | | | smog. While aerosols do in fact contribute slightly to |
| using cleaning methods with environmentally-friendly | | | | smog because they admit VOC's, the interaction is |
| ingredients and chemicals to preserve human health | | | | minimal. According to the EPA aerosols -as a whole- |
| and environmental quality. Every little step that can | | | | contribute a mere 5% of the total man-made VOC's |
| be taken to improve the safety, creation, use and | | | | in the atmosphere and significantly less than that |
| eventual disposal of cleaning products in an | | | | when taking natural sources of VOC into account |
| earth-friendly manner, must be taken. One major | | | | (such as cows, trees and wetlands). |
| area of interest is in the arena of aerosols, mainly | | | | Efforts by manufacturers to go green have not only |
| their effect on the Earth's atmosphere; low level | | | | led to the elimination of CFC's in aerosols in the U.S. |
| (0-8,000 feet) and upper/outer level or "Ozone" layer. | | | | (and almost world-wide), but also a significant |
| More than 30 years ago there were heavy concerns | | | | reduction in the emission of VOC's and propellants |
| that chlorofluorocarbons (CFC's) from aerosols (and | | | | produced in general. Some aerosol products made by |
| other products) were have a deteriorating effect on | | | | Technical Concepts (Microburst 3000, 9000 Odor |
| the Ozone layer, the outermost layer of the Earth's | | | | Neutralizers) offer 60% less VOC's their any of their |
| atmosphere (also known as the stratosphere). The | | | | industry counterparts. The more pressure the public |
| Ozone layer plays a key role in protecting us from | | | | puts on manufacturers to go green, the more it |
| harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays; damage to this layer | | | | offers a competitive advantage to those that are, |
| would/could be harmful to the health of the human | | | | and in turn forces everyone else to follow suite. |
| race, increasing the risk of skin cancer, cataracts and | | | | Aerosols and Recyling- |
| global warming. | | | | A majority of Aerosol refill cans that are |
| Eventually the EPA banned the use of CFC | | | | manufactured for odor neutralizing products are |
| propellants in aerosols, and all aerosols went to | | | | made of tinplated steel which is easily recyclable. It |
| non-CFC propellants. Currently all consumer aerosol | | | | can simply be sorted with the rest of you steel |
| products in the United States (and almost world-wide, | | | | containers. Furthermore, of aerosol cans currently |
| as of 1996) are CFC-free. However, developing | | | | manufactures are made up of, up to 25% recycled |
| nations are not slated to have CFC's completely | | | | material). |
| phased out until 2010, according to nocfcs.org. | | | | Given the public's concern about solid waste disposal, |
| Generally the public has had concerns about the use | | | | the aerosol industry teamed with the steel industry |
| of aerosols in today's world, and the constant focus | | | | to promote the collection of empty aerosol cans in |
| on each person's carbon footprint -the amount of | | | | recycling programs nationwide. In most neighborhoods |
| carbon dioxide a person emits, either directly or | | | | you can simply leave them curbside or take them to |
| indirectly- has everyone taking a second look at their | | | | a recycling buy-back/drop-off center near you. |
| everyday activities in relation to the health and | | | | Aerosol cans that are made of aluminum are |
| well-being of the environment. | | | | recyclable as well. |