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Green Travel

Envirosafe Solutions encourages all householders to consider their sustainability practices within the home, and also to consider the way in which they travel to and from work and to and from recreational activities or social events of a weekend. According to the Australian Government’s Living Greener website, “the average passenger car travels 13,700 kilometres per year and emits 3.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide. And, for every litre of petrol used in a motor vehicle, 2.3 kilograms of carbon dioxide are emitted from the exhaust.”[1]

In today’s world, we have an acute dependence on our cars and while they are convenient, mostly reliable and facilitate ease of travel, they are a grave threat to the atmosphere because of their CO2 emissions.  But there are a number of simple actions we can take that can reduce our own contributions to greenhouse gases and help shift the world towards a brighter and greener future.

  • When purchasing a new or a used car, be sure to research the efficiency of make and model on the Australian governments Green Vehicle Guide website. The site helps with a simple and effective rating system that is “calculated using data provided by manufacturers from testing the vehicle against Australian standards.” [2]
  • Use public transport. Every time you use public transport it makes a difference! It’s never too little…or too late. Have you ever noticed how many peak hour cars hold only one individual? Take a brisk walk to the train station or the bus or the ferry and read the paper on the way to work. You’ll get some exercise in as an added bonus.
  • Have you thought about car-pooling? Car-pooling is an extremely effective method of reducing emissions and costs to consumers. Are there a few employees in your place of business who live near each other? Perhaps you could settle on a collection point and take one car from there to your collective destination.
  • Ride a bicycle the whole or part of the way to work or to school. You’ll save a fortune in petrol and it will do wonders for your heart, lungs and general health.

Committing to a reduction in the use of a motor vehicle is not a “huge ask.” It simply requires forward planning and thinking, and a willingness to change some ingrained habits that are interlinked with our strong dependence on that motor vehicle out in the garage. Try a few small and simple changes to begin with and work up from there.  It’s never too late to join the Green Revolution.

For information on a green approach to work and household practices, call Envirosafe Solutions on 1300 88 90 70

[1] http://livinggreener.gov.au/travel

[2] http://www.greenvehicleguide.gov.au

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Graffiti – If you Spray You Pay

Graffiti continues to pose a substantial cost to local and state governments, nationally. Time and again, community members wake to find an expanse of pristine wall across the road from their homes or businesses, “tagged” with the latest spray painted graphics of street artists who use public and private wall spaces, roads and street surfaces as their canvases. It is an ongoing problem and an ongoing concern and costs the taxpayer millions of dollars each year.

In an effort to curb the problem, South Australian Police have proposed a new approach, stating that offenders should be made to pay compensation.

At the moment, the laws governing graffiti in South Australia are under review and up for consideration are ideas in relation to effective punitive measures that actually deter graffiti artists from tagging. South Australian Police Commissioner Mal Hyde believe “a HECS style scheme where offenders are made to pay compensation for the damage their graffiti causes, once their income is high enough,”[1] may be the way to approach it.

Director of the South Australian Youth affairs Council, Anne Bainbridge disagrees and says restorative justice s a more effective method of dealing with youth graffiti. “This entails young people who have committed graffiti vandalism being involved in cleaning the vandalism or restoring the vandalism, and also engaging with the broader community about the effect that behavior has on the community.”[2]

The problem is so significant Australia wide, that the New South Wales government has even issued a detailed publication on graffiti for use by local government, planners and designers. Titled the “NSW Graffiti Solutions Handbook,” it outlines the cost to the community, its sub-cultural value to youth as a component of contemporary pop culture, as well as various means and ways of addressing the management of graffiti and its removal, across the state.  Part of the approach entails educating youth on the development of legal pieces in designated local government areas or areas where youths might congregate such as youth centres, skate parks and recreational parks.[3]

Envirosafe Solutions has developed a highly effective and specialized graffiti cleaner that can remove tags and obtrusive and unwanted graffiti art from most surfaces. Extreme Green Graffiti Remover is an environmentally friendly alternative to older style graffiti removers that contained harsh, toxic acids that were unsafe and difficult to use.

It can remove liquid paper, crayon, whiteboard marker, permanent texta markings, ink and spray paint. And it can be applied to a variety of surfaces such as glass, brick wood, concrete, metals, masonry surfaces and plastic. It is suitable for use on just about any surface that has been vandalized by tagging and graffiti art.

If you require an eco-friendly graffiti remover for your surfaces, call Envirosafe Solutions on 1300 88 90 70

[1] Haxton, N.Payback  Proposed to punish graffiti vandals. http://abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/05/113213566.htm

[2] Ibid.

[3] NSW Graffiti Solutions Handbook for Local Government, Planner, Designers and Developers. NSW Premiers Department. 2000.

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Getting Rid of Gunk the Enviro-friendly Way

A commercial kitchen is a bustling and bombastic environment, fuelled by hard work, creativity and the delivery of food products that are tasty, well prepared, and clean and visually appealing. And the kitchen site where food is cooked needs to be fresh, clean and free from grease and caked on gunk that can compromise health and safety for clients, management and for staff.

We’ve probably all seen a large scale industrial kitchen at some point. Perhaps we’ve worked in one or perhaps we’ve seen its machinations on television. It’s a large-scale orchestrated production with big pots and big pans and big stoves and big ovens. Everything is downright BIG. Imagine an army barracks, or a naval ship. Imagine a functioning mid-shift hotel kitchen or a nursing home or a hospital concern where meals are prepared by the hundreds and even the thousands. You get the idea. Everything – including mess – is go go go.

Raw ingredients and raw produce are in bulk, and the ingredients are prepped and heated on massive griddles and stovetops. And by the end of the shift – with all that slip and slop and slap – the kitchen gunk is well and truly grimed in.

Ordinary cleaning products will not do the job. You need an outstanding kitchen degreaser that can work wonders in minutes and do it in a way that is economically viable and also environmentally safe and sound. In today’s hospitality and services industry, this is what is expected. In today’s workplace climate, this is what is required.

Envirosafe Solutions Extreme Green Kitchen Degreaser contains no petro solvents or harsh acids.  It easily dissolves kitchen grease, caked and burnt foodstuffs and encrusted carbon deposits on griddles, stovetops and spiders. Your work areas will sparkle and shine like new, and will be ready and rearing to go for the next shift. It can also be used on exhaust fans and extraction filters and because it does not contain caustics, you know you can switch on fans and filters without the usual first switch odour that is both unfavourable and potentially hazardous to your workforce.

With an Envirosafe Green rating for health, environment and transporting, you know you are using a product that achieves results and also respects the delicate balance of the planet and the immediate environment.

Just place griddles and spiders into soak tanks and dilute Extreme Green Kitchen degreaser in accordance with directions and soak tank size. Forget hours and hours of elbow grease and endless scouring. Envirosafe Extreme Green Kitchen Degreaser can do the job for you while respecting and sustaining our delicate and much loved environment.

Telephone Envirosafe Solutions now  1300 88 90 70

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Eye of the Tiger

Envirosafe Solutions takes a brief look at the plight of the endangered Sumatran Tiger.

For the past thirty years, Australia has had an ongoing love affair with the small island of Bali. It is now a major tourist destination for vacationers wishing to experience a brief glimpse of Asia and all it has to offer, whilst maintaining a steady connection with western style resort level accommodation and services.

But how many Australians actually move beyond this Hindu-based Island and venture further a field into the island regions of Sumatra, Java and the smattering of smaller islands than comprise this highly populated country? How many are aware that just a plane flight away, the great Sumatran Tiger is under threat of extinction?

Many indeed would be unaware of the plight of the Sumatran Tiger in the region of Bukit Tigapuluh. Bukit Tigapuluh is one of the last remaining remnants of lush rainforest that earned Indonesia the nickname “Jewel of the Equator” over seventy years ago. Most recently, World Wildlife Fund camera traps “recorded an astounding 12 tigers in just two months in this area, including two mothers with cubs and three young tiger siblings playfully chasing a leaf.”[1]

The sense of innocence this image conveys is palpable. Cubs and mothers in the wild, snatching and clawing at jungle leaves and fraying vines conjure an idyllic existence befitting the pride of the forest. And yet, there are only some 400 Sumatran Tigers remaining in the wild, along with another five surviving subspecies (Bengal, Amur, Malayan, Indochinese and Chinese.) Today, the total number of all these tigers is estimated to be as few as 3,200 which is a far cry from the 100,000 in existence around a century ago. WWF is working to build the political, financial and public support to double the number of tigers in the wild by 2022.

Around 10% – or approximately 30 – of the world’s remaining Sumatran Tigers inhabit the forest of Bukit Tigapuluh (or Thirty Hills, as it translates to in English.) Half of Bukit Tigapuluh is national park, but the flatland forest areas favoured by The Sumatran Tiger, the Orangutan and endangered elephants – those low lying areas outside of National Park control – “are under immediate threat from large scale commercial logging from the pulp and paper industry.”[2]

Envirosafe Solutions has a “think before you print” workplace approach, and prides itself on the development and maintenance of workplace practices that translate to recycling, sustainability and low paper usage. Envirosafe Solutions understands that we all have a choice, and when we purchase the typing paper that sits on our office desks and home work stations, we can check to see that it is sourced from recycled paper or from plantation timber rather than old growth forest areas.

The Sumatran Tiger faces extinction. Our work and home habits and practices can have a direct and indirect impact on the sustainability of threatened species in Australia and Indonesia and beyond.

An ethical approach to the environment is possible with Envirosafe Solutions.

Phone them for eco-friendly products on 1300 88 90 70.

[1] http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2011/WWFPresitem21209.html?intcmp=HPPolaroid-CaughtonCamera

[2] Last Chance to Save Bukit Tigapuluh. Sumatran Tigers, elephants orang-utans and indigenous tribes face extinction along with forest. KKI WARSI,  Frankfurt Zoological Society, Eyes on the Forest, WWF-Indonesia, 2010.

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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.

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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

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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

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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/

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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

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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.

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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.

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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