1.1 This Standard is designed support a continuing effort to improve and/or maintain environmental quality by reducing energy and materials consumption and by minimizing the impacts of pollution generated by the production, use and disposal of goods and services.
1.2 Selection of a cleaner 1 degreaser is influenced primarily by the nature of the surface to be cleaned,the nature of the soil and the degree of cleanliness required. The active ingredients in conventional cleaner formulations are surfactants, builders, alkalis and organic solvents. Conversely, biologically-based cleaning and degreasing compounds contain microbial cultures that promote microbial digestion of hydrocarbons, organic contaminants and other undesirable substances. Biologically-based products may also contain surfactants and other compounds, which increase their efficacy. Additionally, the use of aqueous or semi-aqueous cleaners, rather than those made primarily of organic solvents, results in a reduction in volatile organic compounds and ozone depleting substances emitted.
