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Biodegradability What is it? Biodegradability is the ability of a substance to break down by the action of microorganisms; a biodegradable product is less likely to harm the environment. Although, in absolute terms, this characteristic can apply to most known substances, according to an internationally recognized and accepted standard, a product is only considered biodegradable if it is likely to break down by the action of microorganisms in precise conditions and within a determined period. Certain internationally recognized organizations, such as the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, OECD, have developed and published methods to determine whether a substance can be classified as biodegradable. Therefore, to be considered biodegradable, a substance must have been submitted to a universally recognized method for determining biodegradability. What about Hertel® products? We chose to make Hertel® products biodegradable according to OECD2 301D norms. Hertel® products with the "biodegradable" logo on their label have been tested according to this norm by an independent laboratory and passed all the tests.
Accordingly, Hertel®1 products comply with OECD 301D test norms, which stipulate that a substance is considered biodegradable if 60% of it biodegrades within 28 days. Therefore, this is a fairly reliable indication that complete decomposition is not too far in the future.
Hertel®1 products are biodegradable at a rate of 60% or more within 28 days; this varies from product to product.
Toxicity What is considered a toxic product? There are many definitions of toxicity. The Health Canada definition describes a toxic product as a chemical product that:Capable de causer le décès d'un être humain; ▪ is capable of causing a lethal effect on a human; ▪ is capable of causing a serious and irreversible but non-lethal effect on a human, such as a depressed level of consciousness, muscular weakness or paralysis, acute renal or hepatic failure, arrhythmia, hypotension, dyspnea, respiratory depression, pulmonary edema or optic neuritis; or ▪ is identified in Part 1 of the Consumer Chemicals and Containers Regulations (2001) as a Category 1 toxic product.
What about Hertel® products? With this in mind, our chemists have formulated Hertel® products to be non-toxic. In addition, none of our products contains ingredients banned by Health Canada.
Are cleaning products more toxic than the bacteria they are designed to eliminate? No. All substances in household cleaning products are regulated by Health Canada and Environment Canada under various acts and regulations, and have been proven safe and effective by the manufacturer when used according to the label instructions. Cleaning and controlling the spread of germs has a beneficial impact on personal and community health.
Disinfectants or antibacterial cleaners, for example, kill bacteria such as Salmonella, which causes gastrointestinal illness, Staphylococcus, which causes skin infections, and Pseudomonas. The Hertel® products line features two disinfectant products: Hertel® Plus and Hertel® Bathroom with La Parisienne Bleach. To kill germs you have to apply one of these products and allow them to stand for 10 minutes before rinsing.
Why is phosphate harmful to the environment? When discharged into waterways, common household products containing phosphate represent a danger to marine ecosystems by accelerating the growth of marine plants (blue algae), which consume a great deal of oxygen; this subsequently leads to the disappearance fish and other marine life.
"Cyanobacteria" is the scientific name for blue algae, which form in shallow water that is tepid and calm or still. Blue algae are made up of cells that can generate poisonous toxins (cyanobacteria). A mass of cyanobacteria in water is called a water bloom or sometimes a proliferation, and they generally occur during the hot summer months.
These toxins can be separated into various categories: some of them can affect the liver (hepatotoxins) or the nervous system (neurotoxins), whereas others only irritate the skin.
Do Hertel® products contain phosphate? Hertel® cleaning products do not contain phosphate.
Product of Quebec Why does the fact that Hertel® products are made in Quebec help the environment? Hertel® products generate fuel savings during shipping to various points of sale, since they are entirely manufactured at our Quebec plant in Montreal East.
Most of the raw materials used in manufacturing Hertel® products and the packaging components come from Eastern Canada. As a result, there is less shipping involved in making the final product (labels, caps, bottles, shipping cartons).
Therefore, production is entirely local and our materials almost exclusively Canadian. Some raw materials are not available in Canada, which means we have to obtain them abroad.
Recyclable containers Hertel® containers are recyclable We decided to use a completely recyclable container, because we believe that this alternative can help the environment by reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill sites.
Instead of using biodegradable plastic, we opted for recyclable containers, which are better suited to the situation in Quebec and for use with liquid detergents.
A plastic is considered biodegradable if it breaks down by the action of microorganisms when in contact with oxygen in the air. However, sending biodegradable plastic bottles to landfill sites would not be an ecological approach, since the volume of waste in landfills is too great for the plastic to be in contact with the elements necessary for its decomposition.
In addition, commercially available biodegradable resins carry a risk of reacting with cleaning products, which is not ideal.
For this reason, Lavo Inc. recommends reusing containers for various uses and recycling to promote a healthier environment.
Hertel® products vs. homemade preparations
Can I use a homemade preparation (e.g. baking soda and hot water) for cleaning? Yes, you can. However, homemade cleaning products are generally not as efficient as commercially formulated products, and using them often requires extra effort and time spent cleaning. Commercially formulated products undergo extensive safety and performance tests before they are marketed.
Homemade cleaners may also use more product and more hot water to get the job done than commercially formulated products, which can mean extra costs. For example, cream of tartar, which is sometimes recommended as a metal cleaner, is 12 times more expensive per unit weight than an aluminum cleaner, such as Cameo.
In addition, studies have shown that most home recipes have no disinfectant properties. This is particularly important when there are health-related reasons for using an antibacterial household cleaning product, such as on cutting boards that might be contaminated with Salmonella or on a surface that has been in contact with someone who is sick. Only disinfectants approved by Health Canada have been tested for their ability to kill germs.
Asthma and allergies How can consumer goods help Canadians suffering from allergies or asthma? Many things can trigger an asthma attack, including common allergens such as pet dander, dust mites, mould, mildew and pollen. Some people get symptoms from only one allergen, while others can be affected by more than one. Household cleaning, as part of an effective allergen management plan, can help control these allergens and is one of the easiest steps in reducing allergies or asthma attacks. Hertel® has two different products, Hertel® Plus and Hertel® with La Parisienne® Bleach, capable of killing bacteria and effectively fighting these allergens.
1. Except Hertel® Bathroom with La Parisienne® Bleach 2. Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (www.oecd.org) |
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