Hotels and spas
Hotels are premises where the exposure of employees and guests to hazardous substances is not obvious at a first glance. However, large quantities of cleaning and disinfectant products which likely contain hazardous substances are regularly used in hotel rooms, conference rooms, kitchens, restaurants and laundry facilities. Large quantities of personal care and hygiene products from guest rooms and sanitary facilities are used in hotels which are washed away into the wastewater stream via showers and sinks.
Another more hidden health hazard in hotels is pollution of the indoor environment which may originate from articles, materials and consumer products containing hazardous substances. Since workers and staff usually spend most of their working hours in indoors, the indoor pollution load is a relevant factor concerning public health and in recent years there has been greater scientific and public awareness about the effects of indoor environment quality on health and well-being.
Articles and materials which may reduce the quality of the indoor environment include furniture, flooring, textiles, electronics and wall covering. All of these products may contain hazardous substances that can migrate, abrade or off-gas, resulting in human exposure through air, dust or dermal pathways.
Substance
Abrasive
What it does?
Insoluble materials that provide a mechanical action to the cleaning function
Examples
Natural minerals, such as calcite, feldspar, quartz and silica
In which products could be found?
Abrasive cleaners for dishwashing or surface cleaning
Impact on humans
Non-hazardous
Impact on environment
Non-hazardous
Substance
Acid
What it does?
Used for the removal of inorganic deposits
Examples
Phosphoric acid, oxalic acid citric acid
In which products could be found?
Rust removers,toilet bowl cleanersdescalers and delimersmetal cleaners and polishes,tub, tile and sink cleaners
Impact on humans
Corrosive or irritant depending on substance
Impact on environment
Non-hazardous
Substance
Alkalis
What it does?
Help to break down fats, oils, and other protein-based substances
Examples
Sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate
In which products could be found?
Drain openers, oven cleaners, disinfectant products, bleach
Impact on humans
Corrosive or irritant depending on substance
Impact on environment
Non-hazardous
Substance
Chlorine
What it does?
Can be used either as bleaching agent or disinfectant/ sanitizer
Examples
Sodium hypochlorite
In which products could be found?
Widely used in cleaning and disinfectant products; swimming pool chemicals
Impact on humans
Corrosive and irritant
Impact on environment
It is not likely to cause permanent environmental damage
Substance
Enzyme
What it does?
Are added to cleaners to help break down and remove soils and stains
Examples
Protease
In which products could be found?
Laundry detergents, stain removers, dish detergents, deodorizersc
Impact on humans
Harmful
Impact on environment
Non-hazardous
Substance
Perfume, fragrances
What it does?
Mask unpleasant odors or provide a pleasant smell to the detergent
Examples
Natural (lemon, lavender, pine) Artificial (limonene, musks)
In which products could be found?
Widely used in various products
Impact on humans
Varies greatly, many are toxic. Fragrance chemicals are the most frequent allergens (including sides effects – skin sensitivity, dermatitis, asthma attacks and migraine
Impact on environment
Varies greatly, many are toxic. Fragrance chemicals are the most frequent allergens (including sides effects – skin sensitivity, dermatitis, asthma attacks and migraine
Substance
Peroxide
What it does?
Can be used either as bleaching agent or disinfectant /sanitizer
Examples
Hydrogen peroxide
In which products could be found?
Swimming pool chemicals, commonly used in various products
Impact on humans
Corrosive, oxidizing
Impact on environment
Non-hazardous
Substance
Phosphate
What it does?
Provides a source of moderate alkalinity and supports the cleaning process whilst tying up water hardness minerals
Examples
Sodium tripolyphosphate
In which products could be found?
Laundry detergents, dishwashing detergents, metal polishes, may be used in specialty cleaners, such as concrete cleaners
Impact on humans
Non-hazardous
Impact on environment
Hazardous – causes eutrophication
Substance
Quaternary Ammonium Compound (QAC)
What it does?
The quaternaries are cationic surfactants with germicidal (disinfectant) properties
Examples
Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chlorides (benzalkonium chlorides)
In which products could be found?
Dishwashing detergents, window cleaners, “all-purpose” cleaners, floor products, disinfectant sprays, air fresheners and other products with anti-microbial activity
Impact on humans
Can be no-harmful, but most likely is harmful, when included in a product used in hotel industry
Impact on environment
Varies greatly
Substance
Solvent
What it does?
Used in detergent formulas to complement the cleaning efficiency
Examples
Ethanol, isopropanol, glycol ethers, xylene, toluene
In which products could be found?
Stain removers, dry cleaning agents, paints, lacquer, glue, cleaning products
Impact on humans
Varies greatly
Impact on environment
Varies greatly
Substance
Surfactant
What it does?
Reduces the surface tension of water so it can quickly wet a surface to enable dirt to be loosened and removed. Provide foaming and emulsification.
Examples
Anionic, cationic, non-ionic, amphoteric
In which products could be found?
Most cleaning products, such as, laundry detergents, surface cleaners and dishwashing detergents
Impact on humans
Varies greatly
Impact on environment
Varies greatly
