Posted on

Hand soap chemical Triclosan under scrutiny in the US

Frequent hand-washing is an occupational hazard for those in childcare, health and hospitality sectors. These workers share a common complaint: They are forever wiping noses, changing dirty nappies, handling bodily fluids, using chemical cleaners or handling food. One common chemical in hand soaps, triclosan, has come under recent scrutiny. Today we look at the need for safe, gentle antibacterial hand wash products for workers in these critical industries.

US authorities have been reviewing the chemical triclosan – common in antibacterial hand soaps – because of links to hormone dysfunction and antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

The product has come under close scrutiny by the US Environment Protection Agency (EPA) and the US Food and Drugs Administration (FDA). Australian authorities have currently ruled out any investigation into the chemical compound. Responding last year to the US review, the Australian National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme said its investigations had found triclosan to be safe in small concentrations.

Triclosan is commonly found in antibacterial hand cleaners, cosmetic products and even disposable nappies. The US EPA and FDA are researching the effects of the chemical to better understand its endocrine-related effects, toxicological effects, antimicrobial resistance and to determine safe levels of exposure. The US EPA claims: “Animal studies have shown that triclosan alters hormone regulation. However, data showing effects in animals don’t always predict effects in humans. Other studies in bacteria have raised the possibility that triclosan contributes to making bacteria resistant to antibiotics.”

Despite these concerns effective hand washing is critical to preventing the spread of germs and infection in hospitals, schools, childcare centres, and food and hospitality venues. Research has found:

  • The average person has between two and 10 million bacteria from their fingertips to elbow;
  • Damp hands spread 1000 times more germs than dry hands;
  • Germs can stay alive on hands for up to three hours.

Safe, gentle and effective antibacterial hand wash and industrial hand cleaner are essential products. Perth-based environmental cleaning products company Envirosafe Solutions has a range of hand cleaning products, all of which are triclosan-free. These include its:

  • Its Extreme green Anti-Bacterial Hand Wash: A perfume-free liquid soup which contains skin conditioning agents to guard against dermatitis and is highly-effective in killing germs;
  • Hands First antibacterial instant hand sanitiser: Alcohol-free and dries within 10 seconds. Unlike other hand gels, it will not irritate even the most sensitive skin types and has been designed with the food industry in mind, where hand sanitising is required up to 40 times a day;
  • Extreme Green Liquid Hand Soap: Lightly-perfumed and designed to leave hands soft and supple;
  • Extreme Green Industrial Hand Cleaner: Contains natural orange oil and polymer beads to remove oils, dirt, ink and grease without stripping hands of essential oils, ideally suited to farm and mechanical applications.

The constant demands of hand washing are a concern for Australian workers dealing with germs, chemicals, grease and biological hazards. Envirosafe Solutions range of hand cleaners – including its antibacterial hand wash – have been designed for frequent hand sanitisation. For more information phone 1300 88 90 70 or email info@evss.com.au.

Sources:

http://www.smh.com.au/national/no-study-despite-concern-over-common-chemical-20100414-se5o.html

http://www.handhygieneeurope.com/acatalog/Information_facts_and_figures.html

http://healthimpactnews.com/2011/washing-your-hands-too-much-could-destroy-your-life/

Posted on

Fuel treatment reduces black smoke and cuts emissions

Vehicle exhaust fumes pose serious health risks and are a major contributor to Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions. Data collected by the Australian Bureau of Statistics show fuel emissions have increased by nearly 30% during the past 20 years, and today account for more than 15% of Australia’s total greenhouse gases. The weight of health, environmental and cost pressures is turning attention toward innovative technology such as Envirosafe Solutions’ Diesel Bug Killer, aimed at improving fuel efficiency and reducing dangerous emissions.

While the diesel-thirsty transport, mining and construction sectors count the financial costs of high fuel prices, statistics show the environment is increasingly choking under exhaust fumes.

In its most comprehensive inventory of national greenhouse gas emissions, the ABS has found that between 1990 and 2008 emissions from Australia’s transport sector increased by 29%. In 2008 exhaust fumes accounted for 15% of Australia’s total greenhouse gas emissions. Of this, road transport accounted for 86%. ABS figures show that for every litre of diesel used, 2.7kg of carbon dioxide was released, compared to 2.3kg for a litre of petrol.

The race to develop alternate transport fuels could be the key to moving forward in the future. Second generation biofuels, from non-food matter including algaes, have generated considerable interest and offer the promise of a cleaner, more sustainable energy for the future.

Revolutionary fuel conditioner

Fuel additives have also been developed to produce cleaner fuel, increasing fuel efficiency and reducing dangerous exhaust fumes, which contribute to air pollution and health issues. Perth-based environmental cleaning products company Envirosafe Solutions has been supplying its revolutionary Extreme Green Diesel Bug Killer to councils, road transport and marine operators for years. The eco-friendly liquid product completely removes water – and dissolved oxygen – from fuel sources. This process suffocates microscopic contaminant Cladisporium Resinae (‘diesel bug’) and prevents slime from clogging fuel lines and filters and acid from corroding metal engine parts.

Unlike other fuel conditioners on the market, the Extreme Green Diesel Bug Killer does not contain hydrocarbons, acids or strong alkaline agents, as part of Envirosafe Solutions commitment to providing environmentally friendly liquids. It is suitable for cars, trucks, mining and earthmoving vehicles, trucks, buses, agricultural and marine equipment. Its proven benefits include:

  • Improving fuel efficiency;
  • Reducing maintenance issues and expensive downtime;
  • Reducing exhaust emissions;
  • Cleaning engine components;
  • Compatible with petrol, diesel, two stroke, gas oil and heating oil;
  • Economical and biodegradable;
  • Kills Diesel bug.

The way forward

Envirosafe Solutions director Murray Simon said new technologies were critical to supporting mining, construction and transport sectors reduce dangerous fuel emissions.

“Products such as the Extreme Green Diesel Bug Killer offers businesses cost savings by improving fuel efficiency and engine performance. This reduces consumption and produces cleaner emissions, which is critical as Australia moves to reduce its greenhouse emissions.”

Pollution from diesel exhausts is increasingly contributing to haze, smog and greenhouse gases. New technologies such as Envirosafe Solutions Diesel Bug Killer are helping combat the problem while offering cost savings to heavy fuel users including mining, construction and transport industries. For more information phone 1300 88 90 70 or email info@evss.com.au.

Sources:

http://www.envirosafesolutions.com.au/productinnerpage.php?cat=14&product=12

http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/by%20Subject/1370.0~2010~Chapter~Fuel%20consumption%20and%20emissions%20(4.9.4)

http://www.seaaus.com.au/content/view/383/145/

http://www.csiro.au/science/Diesel-Designs.html

http://www.miningaustralia.com.au/news/fuel-reduces-carbon-emissions

http://www.mcarthurrivermine.com.au/environment_emissions.cfm

http://www.ozfuturefuels.com/explosive-fuels.php

http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/environment/vehicleemissions/reducingdieselemissions.html

http://www.csiro.au/people/Tom.Beer.html

Posted on

Extreme Green Dishwasher Rinse Aid

Everyone knows the pain of opening your dishwasher expecting to find everything shiny and fresh, only to discover that your plates and utensils are smeared, streaked and not very clean-looking at all. When the rinse water inside your dishwasher doesn’t dry quickly enough, or dries unevenly, it can leave terrible streaks across your dishes – all but defeating the purpose of having washed them in the first place! At home, this is a nuisance. At work, in a commercial kitchen, it’s a waste of valuable time and money.

Extreme Green Dishwasher Rinse Aid is designed specifically to avoid this scenario. It adds the finishing touch to a rigorous machine wash, and ensures that your dishes emerge sparkling each and every time. The unique chemical ingredients in this product work by breaking the water surface tension, allowing your dishwasher’s rinse water to sheet and evaporate instantly. No streaks, no smears, just clean and dry dishes that look good as new.

Extreme Green Dishwasher Rinse Aid is one of many Envirosafe Solutions products formulated with remote work sites in mind. We stock a range of detergents and cleaning agents suitable for use in mining camps and anywhere that hardwater and septic systems are used. Combine Dishwasher Rinse Aid with Extreme Green Dishwasher Liquid or Powder for a total cleaning experience that’s designed for your conditions.

On remote sites, you have to be vigilant about what sort of chemicals and substances you’re flushing down the pipes. Not only is your water treatment system at stake, you’ve also got to think about the health of the land around you. Using cleaning products full of toxic chemicals will ultimately poison the soil and water, endangering your health and severely damaging our precious ecosystem.

Extreme Green Dishwasher Rinse Aid, like all Envirosafe dishwashing products, is fully biodegradable and formulated only with non-toxic and non-harmful ingredients. This Rinse Aid is the perfect accompaniment to Extreme Green Dishwasher Liquid or Dishwasher Powder, and together these products will deliver you a powerful and reliable clean that’s safe for your dishes, your health and your water system.

There’s no reason that people living on a remote site shouldn’t have access to all the same kitchen conveniences as everyone else. Envirosafe Solutions is committed to providing safe and effective cleaning products to suit the most challenging working environments in Australia. For more information on how we can assist you with dishwashing detergents, please contact us on 1300 88 90 70.

Posted on

The wonders of Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is more than just a funny-looking plant with spiky leaves. A whole lot more, in fact. If you’ve ever snapped one of those fat, meaty Aloe Vera leaves in half, you’ll have noticed that there’s a clear gel substance inside the plant. To the untrained eye, this gel may appear to be nothing more than gooey plant slime. What you are actually looking at, however, is one of the most dynamic and adaptable natural ingredients found anywhere on Earth.

Aloe vera is perhaps best known for its medicinal and cosmetic properties. The plant’s gel has a soothing and relieving effect on burns, insect bites and blisters. If you’ve ever burnt your finger on the stove and then rushed around frantically searching for the burn cream, you’ll be pleased to know that aloe vera gel is just as effective. On the cosmetic side of things, aloe vera has emerged as a major ingredient in skin care products in recent years. Aloe vera is highly effective at removing and clearing away dead skin cells, rejuvenating the skin and keeping it fresh and smooth.

But it doesn’t stop there, not even close. Studies have suggested there are 75 (!!) active ingredients in Aloe Vera. One of these is a nifty little compound named Saponins. These chemicals form a soapy lather when combined with water – making Aloe Vera the perfect base ingedient for detergents.2 People are quickly discovering that Aloe Vera is the ultimate substitute for many traditional – and hazardous – detergent ingredients. Did we mention that aloe vera is also a dietary supplement? Rich in vitamins B1, B2, B6, and C, as well as many important amino acids. Taken in capsules, aloe vera can aid blood and lymphatic circulation, facilitate digestion and even treat the symptoms of lock jaw and cold sores. Now how many products at your local chemist can do all of that? When you add all of this up, plus a whole lot more, you start to see the big picture: Aloe vera is one of nature’s greatest gifts to humankind.

At Envirosafe Solutions we’re big on natural effective products. To create our products, we take all the ingredients from the earth. So when they eventually return to the earth, that’s exactly where they belong. Aloe Vera is one of the many incredible organic ingredients that we use in our range. Discover for yourself the amazing alternatives that nature has to offer.

Posted on

A Solvent-Free Future

It’s difficult to imagine a world without solvents. They’re everywhere we look. We’ve got solvent chemicals to thank for degreasers, paint thinners, perfumes, nail polish removers and a vast array of commercial cleaning products.

The most commonly used industrial solvents include turpentine, ethanol, acetone and ethyl acetate. Without venturing too deep into the chemistry, a solvent is essentially any liquid substance that is able to dissolve another substance, which is why these chemicals are so useful for cleaning and removing paint and grease. There’s a multibillion dollar global market for solvent-based products, and scarcely an industry on earth that doesn’t make use of them in some way.

Which brings us to the problem. While solvents are a crucial tool for so many industries, they’re also some of the nastiest and most dangerous chemicals around. The health risks associated with solvent exposure are well-documented. Research has linked solvents to nervous system toxicity, respiratory impairment, liver and kidney damage and various types of cancer. Furthermore, most industrial solvents are highly-flammable and must be used with extreme care. These chemicals contribute to countless accidents in the workplace each year.  In short, solvents can spell very bad news for the people who have to work with them.[1]

Solvents don’t do our planet any favours either. They are a major cause of environmental damage, particularly soil contamination. Because solvent chemicals can migrate long distances, an accidental spill of even a small amount can affect large areas of land. A solvent spill can render soil highly dangerous to people and animals.[2]

Doesn’t sound very appealing, does it? Luckily for us – and luckily for the planet – we’re beginning to discover alternative solutions. Solvent-free products are emerging on the market, which perform the same function as traditional solvents without posing a threat to people and the environment. Research into these alternatives is gaining momentum, and we have every reason to be optimistic about a solvent-free future for Australia.

The importance of moving toward solvent-free alternatives cannot be understated. In the 21st century there is a universal need to break away from the hazardous and unsustainable materials of the past. Responsible businesses recognise this. Customers recognise it too, which is why green solutions are the smart business decision. Sticking with the dangerous pollutants of yesteryear will only turn people away.

Envirosafe Solutions strives to provide Australian industry with green options. We believe that a healthy business needs to do its bit for a healthy planet, and we are here to help make it happen. Start by embracing the possibilities of a Solvent-Free future.

[1] http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/solvents/index.html

[2] Hogan, Patmore, Latshaw and Seidman (1973). Computer modelling of pesticide transport in soil for five instrumented watersheds, ESL Inc., Sunnyvale, California

Posted on

The Danger of Using Phosphates

Phosphate chemicals have long been a core ingredient in soaps and detergents. Because of their capacity to mix with both water and fat, phosphates are  highly effective at dislodging fat molecules (oil, grease etc.) and dispersing them in water. If you’ve ever tried washing an oily plate with only water, and then again with water and detergent, you’ll know that the detergent makes all the difference. It’s phosphates and other related chemicals that make this possible.

The problem with phosphates is not so much the chemicals themselves, but the flow-on effects they create once they’ve been disposed of. When phosphates disappear down the drain, their journey is only just beginning. Once these chemicals are released into our waterways, a whole new process begins that can lead to all sorts of problems. Phosphates are rich in the types of nutrients necessary to support marine plant life. This means a glut of phosphate chemicals in the water can spur on huge growth in underwater plant life, radically upsetting the marine ecosystem.[1]

The biggest problem this creates is the growth of poisonous algae blooms. Algae thrive on phosphate nutrients, and certain varieties such as blue-green algae are toxic to humans and potentially very hazardous. Blue-green algae is known to cause nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, and in extreme cases pneumonia and paralysis[2] – not the sort of thing we want in our water supply.

The drama doesn’t end there. Phosphates released into the water gradually build up over time into deposits, which contain high levels of naturally-occurring heavy metals like lead, nickel and chromium. We know well the hazards the these metals pose, particularly to children. Nervous system toxicity, memory impairment and severe brain damage have all been linked to heavy metal exposure.[3] With phosphate deposits in our lakes and rivers, there is a serious risk of heavy metals penetrating into our drinking water supply. The consequences of this are far-reaching and deadly – not even remotely worth the risk if we can avoid it.

All of this boils down to a simple truth: we need reduce our usage of phosphate-based products and find safer alternatives. The Envirosafe Solutions product range is 100% phosphate free, because we understand that the risks involved with using these products simply outweigh the benefits. We are constantly exploring enzyme technology and other alternative ingredients to produce the cleaning results without the negative effects of phosphates. Make sure that your business isn’t contributing to water pollution and public health risks by insisting on phosphate-free soaps and detergents. It’s time to think smarter about the cleaning products we use.

[1] http://www.howstuffworks.com/phosphate-info.htm

[2] http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/factsheets/pdf/water/w3.pdf

[3] http://pureflow.com.au/water-articles/heavy-metal-health-risks.php

Posted on

The Importance of Biodegradable Liquids

‘Biodegradable’ is a term that gets kicked around a lot in environmental discussions. For several years now the biodegradable label has been a major selling point for eco-friendly products. Most people these days would understand the basic concept: biodegradable products are derived from organic materials, which means they can be safely disposed of. These products “degrade” over time through contact with air and water, eventually being absorbed back into the earth. Conversely, non biodegradable products will float around for hundreds of years to come, creating huge landfills and polluting the environment.[1]

The dangers of non biodegradable plastics have been a prominent theme in environmental campaigning for a long time. The images that immediately jump to mind are those of polyethylene shopping bags floating in the ocean and turtles choking on plastic six pack rings. There has been a significant trend in recent years toward reducing the use of these plastics and finding biodegradable alternatives.

Less documented, but no less serious, is the danger posed by non biodegradable liquids. You can’t necessarily see liquid waste, but it certainly exists and is a serious problem. While it’s tempting to think that liquid products simply disappear once they’ve been washed away, in reality the chemical components can linger around in soil and water for years. Many of the chemicals used to make detergents and other cleaning products are inorganic, meaning they cannot be broken down and absorbed into the earth. These substances can remain active for long periods of time. Inorganic chemicals in our rivers and oceans cause serious damage to marine life, poisoning plants and fish.[2]

It’s not something we often think about when we wash our car or scrub the bathroom floor, but the products we use will eventually all wind up in the same place – our waterways. Australia is the driest inhabited continent on Earth, and we should be extremely wary of what we put into our water system. Can we really afford to pollute our most precious resource?

It is therefore imperative that we develop biodegradable alternatives to the pollutant chemicals that are currently used in so many industrial liquids. Envirosafe Solutions is at the forefront of research in this field. We believe that there is always a greener alternative, and we’re constantly exploring the possibilities. Biodegradable liquids are the future of Australia’s environment, and we’re hard at work to make this goal a reality.

[1] . Diaz, E. (2008). Microbial Biodegradation: Genomics and Molecular Biology (1st ed.). Caister      Academic Press

[2] . http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/environmental_management/water/caring_for_our_water/

Posted on

Dust Suppression & Soil Wetting Agents – All Products Are Not The Same!

It’s a dry and dusty country we live in – any Australian could tell you that. Dust is a domestic nuisance that all of us have to live with. But for those in the earthmoving, mining and construction industries, controlling dust is much more than an issue of comfort; it’s a major part of the job that requires professional solutions and attention to detail. Uncontrolled dust on the work site can have expensive and potentially dangerous consequences.

Dust suppression is a water-intensive exercise, and a great balancing act in this drought-stricken country of ours. Water is the most precious resource we have in Australia, and it’s absolutely vital that we use it sparingly. Poor water absorption in soils and road bases costs your business time and money, and it costs the country precious water resources. Using an effective wetting agent ensures that you’re getting the most of your water usage and none is going to waste.

Soil Wetta/Dust Suppressor a new product from the ‘Extreme Green’ range by Envirosafe Solutions, is a highly active, deeply penetrating and extremely versatile wetting agent, designed with economy and efficiency in mind. No two jobs are exactly the same, and we’ve designed Soil Wetta/Dust Suppressor to be effective in all situations. Our product works equally well with all water types – salt, rain and bore. Soil Wetta/Dust Suppressor represents outstanding value for money. At an average cost of only 3.3 cents per square metre, our product is one of the best investments you could make for your business.

Soil Wetta/Dust Suppressor is also a powerful solution for long term agricultural soil wetting. A mere 100ml per 100 litres of water will drastically increase the spread and absorption of water over a full acre of land – perfect for stubborn dry soil.

Soil Wetta/Dust Suppressor is 100% safe to use and non harmful to people. As an example, the same tanks used to cart drinking water can be used to apply Soil Wetta/Dust Suppressor, without any health risks. It’s an extremely powerful product, yet poses no threat to the health of those using it.

Suppressing dust and wetting soil should help the environment as well as your business. There’s no sense in polluting the earth that you work on. At Envirosafe Solutions our goal is help you get the job done without leaving an environmental footprint. Like all Envirosafe products, Soil Wetta/Dust Suppressor is an eco-friendly solution made from non toxic and biodegradable ingredients. For more information on how Envirosafe Solutions can assist you with dust suppression and soil wetting, please contact us on 1300 88 90 70

Posted on

On the Nose? – Not anymore..

Anyone who’s been near a long drop toilet, septic system or holding pond knows that odour control is a serious issue – and this is especially true in the summer months. People who work with these systems need an effective and reliable odour control agent. The problem is that many such products are made from harmful chemicals that pollute our waterways and threaten our health.

A toxic petro-solvent product will certainly get rid of odours – temporarily, at least – but what happens once it’s flushed down the drain? At Envirosafe Solutions we don’t believe in pollution for the sake of cleaning and comfort.

Waste & Odour Treatment from the new ‘Extreme Green’ range doesn’t simply kill odours with harsh chemicals. It’s much more intelligent than that. This product works by a process of fermentation, utilising naturally-occurring compounds within waste. Waste & Odour Treatment stimulates microbiological activity which then attacks sludge and odour. Waste build ups are eaten away naturally by an army of microbes. In effect, Waste & Odour Treatment simply triggers the process, and then sits back and makes nature do all the hard work. Pretty clever, hey?

Waste & Odour Treatment is by no means limited to septic systems and odour control. There are a hundred and one uses for this ingenious product. Waste & Odour Treatment can be used in soiled animals enclosures, as an odour control solution as well as a general floor and wall cleaner.

Waste & Odour Treatment is perfectly safe to use in your kitchen and food preparation areas. Wipe down your bench tops to keep them clean and odour-free, then wash it all away without fear of polluting the water. Waste & Odour Treatment can even be sprayed over compost and manure to accelerate the organic breakdown process.

The real beauty of Waste & Odour Treatment is that it keeps on working even after it’s been flushed away. The ingredients in this product boost microbe activity inside the drain, eating away at blockages and keeping your pipes flowing freely.

Waste & Odour Treatment is further evidence of nature’s impressive cleaning powers. At Envirosafe Solutions we believe that there is a natural alternative to all harsh chemical products – and we are making them available to Australian businesses as fast as we can. Waste and odour management doesn’t need large quantities of toxic chemicals. What it needs is an intelligent product that harnesses the power of nature

For more information on how Envirosafe Solutions can assist you with odour control and waste management, please contact us on 1300 88 90 70.

Posted on

Extreme Green Glue Cleaner

Glue CleanerIn many workplaces, adhesives are the ultimate double-edged sword. Indispensable tools on the one hand, and enormous hassle on the other. Super glue, duct tape, labels, blu-tack . . . where on Earth would we be without these things? It’s just a shame that the usefulness of adhesives is matched by the annoyance involved when it comes time to remove them. How many hours have you spent scrubbing furiously at leftover glue or tape remains?

If the answer is “many”, then you’re no doubt familiar with the vast range of adhesive removal products on the market. There’s an arsenal of cleaning products out there that can reduce your adhesive scrubbing effort.

The problem is that most of these products are full of harsh acids and petro-solvents. They achieve results through brute force. Sure, they’ll strip the adhesives away quick smart. But you’re dealing with nasty toxic chemicals that are a health risk to the operator and a pollution risk to the environment. What’s worse, a bit of leftover glue on your wall, or breathing toxic fumes and then flushing pollutant chemicals down the drain?

Either way, this isn’t a compromise you need to make in your workplace. Extreme Green Glue Cleaner is a far more intelligent approach to adhesive removal. Using only biodegradable ingredients (that’s no petro-solvents, no acids and no alkalis), Extreme Green Glue Cleaner removes adhesives quickly and effectively. It emits no unpleasant odours, poses no health risk to the operator, and washes away safely without risk of environmental damage.

But don’t let the gentle touch fool you. Extreme Green Glue Cleaner gets the job done. The performance of this product is on par with any competitor. This is a rapid-acting cleaner, taking effect in under three minutes. Extreme Green Glue Cleaner is super-versatile, and works on steel, aluminium, glass, concrete, wood and just about any other hard surface you would ever apply adhesives to. Extreme Green Glue Cleaner is a free-rinsing solution – once this product has worked its magic you can simply rinse it all off with water.

Apply Extreme Green Glue Cleaner neat, wait three short minutes, wash it all off. Adhesives removed. Nothing more to it.

There’s beauty in simplicity, that’s what we believe at Envirosafe Solutions. You’ll find that the most effective cleaning solution is often the simplest, and what could be simpler than all-natural ingredients? For more information on how Envirosafe Solutions can assist you with adhesive removal, please contact us on 1300 88 90 70.

Posted on

The Organic Acid Advantage

The word ‘acid’ has many connotations, and for most people probably conjures up images of corroded metal and hazardous chemical symbols. Many would be surprised to realise how many different acids they actually use in their homes and businesses.

Traditionally, inorganic acids (also known as mineral acids) have been used in industrial liquids, particularly cleaners and rust removers. Sulphuric, hydrochloric and nitric acids are some well-known examples. The reason for their popularity and widespread use is obvious: these are highly corrosive substances with powerful cleaning properties. Unfortunately, like so many other industrial chemicals, the effectiveness of mineral acids is matched by the danger of using them.

Mineral acids are carcinogenic to humans, and long-term exposure to these chemicals is potentially fatal. The highly corrosive properties of mineral acids can cause substantial tooth erosion, as well as damage to the delicate capillaries of the lungs. Severe respiratory ailments can develop in people who use mineral acid cleaning products on a regular basis, particularly in aerosol form.[1]

Clearly we should minimise our use of such products, but this presents a dilemma. Acid-based industrial liquids are far too useful and wide-ranging to simply abandon. The realistic solution is to find alternative safe acids to replace dangerous and harmful ones. This is where we begin to explore the other side of the acid equation: organic.

You don’t have to look far to find organic acids. Remember the last time you ate an orange? Citric acid. Yoghurt? That’s lactic acid. The list is endless. We encounter naturally occurring acids every day, many of them inside our own bodies. What we now understand is that many of these natural acids can perform the same cleaning functions as harsh mineral acids. The acidic cleaning effect is the same, but organic acids are much gentler and less corrosive.[2] This equates to less wear and tear on the surfaces being cleaned. There is a growing range of cleaning products that utilise organic acids to the same effect as traditional inorganic products, without any of the associated health risks. No carcinogens, no lung damage, no noxious fumes and odours. Just a gentle all-natural cleaning solution.

The other enormous benefit of organic acids is their biodegradability. Because these acids are naturally occurring and derived from living matter, they will break down in the earth over time without polluting soil and water. When you add all of this up, natural organic acids make a lot of sense. If there is a safer, cleaner alternative to dangerous mineral acids, we have every reason in the world to pursue it. Envirosafe Solutions is working to harness the power of organic acids, because we firmly believe that nature can provide us with all of the cleaning solutions we need.

[1] http://www.inchem.org/documents/icsc/icsc/eics0362.htm

[2] http://www.daff.gov.au/animal-plant-health/aquatic/aquavetplan/operational_procedures_manual_-_decontamination/contents/cleaning_before_disinfection/cleaning_compounds#3.3.2