ECJ EUROPEAN Cleaning Journal

There is now plenty of evidence regarding the dangers around occupational exposure to cleaning chemicals and the health implications for cleaning operatives. So who is responsible for protecting those people’s health? Government, manufacturers, employers, or the cleaning operatives themselves? Georgia Jordan from Biological Preparations writes for ECJ.

Cleaning operatives dedicate their careers to making spaces clean, hygienic, and welcoming. In the EU, nearly three million people work as general cleaners, accounting for 2.3 per cent of total employment (2020 data). With the cleaning market continuing to grow, these numbers are expected to increase. Despite their vital role in business operations across industries - removing dirt, reducing illness, and boosting productivity - cleaning operatives face significant challenges, including low wages and limited sick leave.

Now, with more research emerging on the short- and long-term health effects of cleaning chemicals, the sector faces a dilemma: how can it continue creating healthy spaces without risking the health of its workforce? This raises a critical question: who is responsible for ensuring that the products used daily by cleaning operatives are safe?

Health risks faced by cleaning operatives

To perform their tasks, cleaning operatives are often given harsh chemicals, assumed to be the most effective. However, many of these products contain synthetic chemicals that not only harm the environment but are increasingly linked to serious health risks for the people using them.

Respiratory diseases: Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are common in many cleaning products, including sprays, surface cleaners, and air fresheners - even in some labelled as “green.” Once released into indoor spaces, VOCs are inhaled, irritating the respiratory tract and causing immediate issues like coughing, shortness of breath, and aggravating conditions like asthma. A recent study found that indoor VOC concentrations can be up to 10 times higher than outdoor levels.

Prolonged exposure to VOCs can cause lasting health effects, such as lung damage. Quaternary ammonium compounds (QUATs), found in products like window cleaners, can damage lung tissue when inhaled repeatedly over time, potentially leading to permanent respiratory problems. A 2018 study revealed that domestic and industrial cleaners face a heightened risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Additionally, female cleaners showed a faster decline in lung function compared to those not regularly exposed to cleaning chemicals.

Skin conditions: Contact dermatitis, a form of eczema caused by irritant exposure, is one of the most common occupational hazards for cleaning operatives. Cleaning chemicals can break down the skin’s protective barrier, leading to itching, blistering, and cracking. Those with pre-existing skin conditions, like eczema, are at even greater risk. Studies show that cleaners are 10 per cent more likely to develop dermatitis than the general population.

Cancer risks: In addition to respiratory and skin issues, cleaning chemicals are also linked to increased cancer risks. A study by ISCO found a 76 per cent higher risk of lung cancer among women employed as maids or housekeepers for more than seven years.

Research on endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), which are found in many cleaning products, suggests they interfere with hormone regulation. EDCs can mimic or block hormones, leading to an increase in oestrogen levels, which has been associated with a higher risk of breast cancer in both men and women.

And that’s just a few: This is just the beginning of the research into how cleaning chemicals affect health. As more studies are published, it becomes increasingly important to have open discussions about safeguarding workers and ensuring cleaning products not only protect the spaces being cleaned but also the health of those doing the cleaning.

Stakeholders: who’s responsibility is it to protect peoples health?

In the previous section, we explored some of the emerging research regarding occupational exposure to cleaning chemicals and the potential long-term and short-term health effects faced by cleaning operatives. Given their essential role in maintaining clean, safe spaces for all, more must be done to protect these workers. However, when it comes to the complex and sometimes polarising topic of cleaning and health, it’s often unclear who holds responsibility for ensuring the safety of end-users. Some argue it rests with those in higher positions, while others believe personal accountability plays a role. In reality, the responsibility is shared, involving multiple stakeholders.

Government: In the EU, governments set the standards for occupational safety and health (OSH) through legislation. The EU’s OSH directive, introduced in 1989, provides a legal framework for improving workers’ safety and health. Member states are required to adopt this directive into their national laws, ensuring that employers take preventive measures and conduct regular risk assessments. The directive includes key provisions such as:

• Requiring employers to take appropriate preventive actions to make work safer and healthier
• Introducing the principle of risk assessment, focusing on hazard identification, and eliminating risks at the source
• Establishing a minimum safety and health standard for all workers.

Minimum requirements

However, while these laws set the foundation, they only establish minimum requirements. It’s up to businesses to take further steps to protect their employees and go beyond compliance.

When it comes to chemicals, the EU has a detailed process for evaluating whether a chemical product poses health risks and should be restricted or banned. This includes the REACH regulation (requiring manufacturers to register substances and assess risks), the Classification, Labelling, and Packaging (CLP) regulation (ensuring hazard information is clearly communicated), and continuous risk assessment. Still, as research shows, long-term exposure to many cleaning chemicals can lead to serious health problems. Governments provide the framework, but the responsibility of implementing better protections lies with employers.

Manufacturers: Manufacturers of cleaning products must also play a part. Under REACH, they are required to register substances with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), assessing and managing associated risks. While manufacturers are not obligated to list every ingredient
on product labels, they must provide hazard information and safety data sheets (SDS) to ensure businesses understand the risks involved. The General Product Safety Directive further obligates manufacturers to ensure their products meet safety standards.

Despite these regulations, many hazardous substances still make their way into everyday cleaning products, placing the responsibility back onto individual companies to choose safer alternatives and engage in conversations with their suppliers about the risks.

Employers: Employers hold a significant responsibility for the health and safety of their workers. Regulations like COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) require employers to assess workplace hazards, replace dangerous chemicals with safer alternatives where possible and ensure the correct use of PPE. Employers are also bound by directives such as 2004/37/EC, which addresses exposure to carcinogens and mutagens, requiring companies to minimise exposure and conduct health surveillance.

Employers should go beyond the minimum requirements set by legislation, regularly assessing the chemicals they use and looking for safer options to protect their employees.

Cleaning operatives: At the end of this chain are the cleaning operatives, who have little control over the products they are exposed to. Their role in protecting themselves lies in following safety procedures, wearing the appropriate PPE, and reporting any unsafe conditions. However, without control over the chemicals they are using, much of the responsibility falls on the employers and manufacturers.

So, who’s responsible?

In the EU, a layered approach is in place to protect cleaning operatives, involving the government, manufacturers, employers, and operatives themselves. While legislation provides a framework, true responsibility rests with businesses, who must act beyond compliance to safeguard the health of their employees. This means engaging with suppliers, understanding the chemicals they use, and exploring safer alternatives. Choosing manufacturers with eco-labels and health certifications, such as Global GreenTag’s HealthRATE, is a proactive step towards reducing risks and setting a new standard for worker health.

Ultimately, cleaning operatives shouldn’t have to choose between their health and creating healthy spaces. By opening a dialogue with suppliers and taking steps to improve chemical safety, businesses can ensure their workers are protected at every level.