Useful Tools

Schools can use tools for evaluating products by considering their health and environmental characteristics, and product manufacturers can use tools in designing safer chemicals.

Tools for Evaluating and Selecting Products

EPA's Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Tools for Schools Web site features a "Teacher's Checklist" covering 11 major topic areas, including science supplies. The checklist gives examples of supplies and activities that could contribute to IAQ problems. It also provides teachers with suggested steps for learning about supplies; making purchasing decisions or recommending products for purchase; following correct safety, handling, and storage procedures; and minimizing exposure to hazardous materials.

EPA's Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in Schools Web site provides fact sheets, toolkits, and information about grants, classes, workshops, and partnerships.

EPA's Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) Database is a searchable tool with information on numerous EPP topics and products, including contract language, specifications, guidelines, and vendor information for cleaning products.

EPA's Cleaning Products Pilot Project Web site hosts an attributes ranking tool that helps users select environmentally preferable cleaning products.

The Janitorial Products Pollution Prevention Project
Web site contains a series of helpful tools including information on the risks associated with more than 100 cleaning product ingredients, a list of high risk products, and risk evaluation forms. The site also includes a series of fact sheets highlighting the pollution prevention opportunities associated with cleaning products, including recommendations about which chemicals to avoid. It also contains information on a 4-hour workshop entitled, "How to Select and Use Safe Janitorial Products."

Tools for Designing Products for the Indoor Environment

Wall Paints. EPA's design for the Environment (DfE) program partnered with the National Paint and Coatings Association to develop the Wall Paint Exposure Assessment Model (WPEM). This model was specifically designed to help companies formulate paints for the indoor environment.

Other Products. EPA's P2 Framework project provides companies with computer-based models that help identify a chemical's risk potential. The objective of the P2 Framework approach is to inform decision making at early stages of development and promote the selection and application of safer chemicals and processes. Companies such as Eastman Kodak and PPG Industries, Inc., plan to incorporate the use of the P2 Framework models into their Research and Development (R&D) chemical screening efforts.

Models included in the P2 Framework include: Estimated Programs Interference Suite (EPI SuiteT) and Exposure, Fate Assessment Screening Tool (E-FAST).