lth care around the country has to take a serious stance on the issue of workplace hygiene, and many are making efforts to implement methods into their cleaning procedures. Most directors of safety in the workplace have proposed a new policy on the exclusion of petrochemical-based products from workplace buildings in order to fight against germs. The policy should state that the workplace will exclude, wherever possible, the use of any petrochemical-based product in any health care facility. The policy should go on to state that it applies to art supplies, cleaning supplies, biological and chemical laboratory products, and paints. Whenever possible, the workplace will purchase bio-based alternatives and products containing minimal volatile organic compounds. Also, whenever possible, any product purchased and used in the workplace must be third party documented and certified for its environmental efficacy and its impact on indoor air quality and the overall indoor environment, especially as it may affect children and elderly adult. For years now, the least toxic and non-hazardous cleaning products have been sought after to replace the potentially dangerous materials. The problem with the first generation of these substitutes is that they just didn't perform in cleaning tasks. Instead, custodial workers still used the conventional cleaning products which contained chemical ingredients. Although the worker took precautions to protect him or herself, the true victim is the individual who came into contact with the residue left behind and unknowingly suffered from the effects of these chemicals. This is especially true with elderly adults whose the immune system are less resistant to fighting against germs and are more susceptible to chronic ailments such as asthma or epidermal rashes. Whatever form an allergen takes, an allergy-sufferer's body always makes the same reaction. It reacts as if under attack by disease-causing pathogens. T...