The following information are a few ways to limit toxic chemical exposure in the delivery of services in personal/human service contracting.
- We should ensure that populations receiving County services are not adversely affected by indoor air quality issues.
- Asthma and other respiratory issues can be aggravated by many chemicals. Consider prohibiting known asthma triggering chemicals or requesting less toxic alternatives where you provide the delivery of services.
- If part of your service delivery is providing personal care products avoid products with toxic chemicals.
- For example medical supplies and feminine hygiene products often contain chlorine, formaldehyde, and mercury that have immediate adverse health effects to users. Our Healthy Purchasing Guide has information on toxic chemicals found in everyday products.
- In the area where you provide the delivery of your services avoid using janitorial cleaning supplies with 2-butoxyethanol, butoxdiglycol, alcohol ethoxylate surfactuants, and aerosol cleaners that release chloroflorocarbons.
- If you clean your service delivery areas or contract cleaning services think about using or asking for janitorial supplies that are considered green cleaning supplies. A great place to start looking for green cleaning supplies is the Green Seal Certified Product List.
- If you are purchasing furniture or building supplies for the office where you delivery services think about finding less toxic products including the furniture you purchase. There are websites specific to all industries to assist in avoiding toxic chemicals.
- To read more about purchasing future with anti-flame retardants go to Oregon Environmental Council Website.
- To read more about purchasing building supplies without toxic chemicals. Priority Building Products Chart.
- The Health Product Declaration is a collaborative, transparent reporting standard for building products.
- Read about Multnomah County's effort to reduce Bisphenal A in our market place.
- Below is a chart listing a few products and the toxic chemicals they may contain.
Toxic chemicals are in our everyday products.