The definition of green

The word “green” is not the omni-directional term for anything environmental, although there is a tendency to substitute the word “green” for “environmental.” Environmentalism is a large topic that has several subdivisions. Under this great theme of environmentalism, we will find Green, Sustainable, Pollution and Conservation. Each of these subdivisions is a huge subject on its own.

In the mix of words and concepts, we have lost the fundamental meaning of Green. Environmental, Green, or Sustainable now fade into that ugly green we made in kindergarten when we dragged all the colors into one big blob. We cannot progress when confusion reigns and all science begins with a definition of terms.

The best definition of green refers to the health impact of what we do on living things. So green is mainly a health related problem. This is seen in the fact that cleaning products were the first ecological problems. In fact, indoor air quality is an important factor in green buildings. The sick building syndrome was the result of poor indoor air quality, which is the antithesis of Green.

Sustainability is also badly transformed in many applications, but it basically deals with the management of our resources. This is a complementary theme to Green, so a green and sustainable business means that the company considers the health of the workplace, as well as the material demands of the business.

Workplace health can be affected by cleaning products, building materials, furniture, paint, and carpets. “Outgassing” is a well-documented concern. Installing new carpets, new furniture, new paint, and new wood leave residual fumes as these items continue to dry. Your senses will betray you because we think that everything new is clean and healthy, but that is a big mistake. Varnishes and additives for paint, carpet glue, and wood fall into the category of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are not good for you. If your health is compromised, these fumes can worsen your condition and accelerate disease. If you’re healthy, long-term exposure will wear you down over time.

Think recycled dust that contains bacteria, viruses, dust mite faeces and flakes, carbon from copies, and much more. It is a wonder that we are not sick all the time, except that we are generally healthy and can live in harsh environments for a long time.

The people who are supposed to help clean our facilities and protect our health through disinfection processes are janitors, but clean does not mean healthy. The ammonia in window spray is harmful, the zinc in floor finish is bad for humans, the many chemicals in cleaners add to a worsened situation.

Mold is a persistent problem for many buildings. Mold spores are never good for workers and can become a crisis problem if left untreated. Latent problems also remain in the HVAC system. It is fair to say that the air in any building is a kind of “Ground Zero” for any office or business. If employees are adversely affected, productivity will drop. An afternoon headache, occasional nausea, and lethargy can be signs of unhealthy indoor air quality. So, while your building may be energy efficient, and you may be conserving water in addition to recycling your garbage (sustainability issues), the building may be very un-environmentally friendly because it is unhealthy.

Green Business League believes that a green office begins with an understanding of the healthy office and a serious look at the components that compromise indoor air quality. Consider using a Green certified cleaning service that also uses Green cleaning products, microfiber cloths, and HEPA vacuums. Don’t let mold go untreated. Be aware of all paint, rugs, and furniture used in the installation because they introduce a large amount of gases into the air.

Green is a primarily health-related issue that mixes with other sustainability, pollution control, and conservation issues. By dividing the topics correctly, the plan of attack seems much clearer. To attack the problem methodically, companies must consider “Going Green” first and then move on to sustainable issues. The early disdain for the green word stems from the anti-business attitudes of ultra-conservationists who needed a target for their vitriol. Green is not an anti-business concept when properly understood. A green business is a good place for living things in the workplace, in the community, and in the world.

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