Roger D Simpson With KISS Janitorial of Austin Texas Has Just Earned his ISSA Green Cleaning Professional Credentials

On May 21, 2010, a telephone call informed Roger D Simpson that he had successfully completed the schooling, and testing requirements for the ISSA Green Cleaning Professional credentials. The ISSA (International Sanitary Supply Association) Green Cleaning University is a third-party certification program and nationally accepted benchmark for high-performance green buildings. Roger D Simpson’s next target is a LEED certification. He is currently attending classes and workshops in preperation for the USGBC Green Associate and LEED AP (o+m) exams.

KISS Janitorial of Austin Texas has been nominated for the Going Green Award By the Austin Business Journal

KISS Janitorial of Austin Texas has been nominated for the 2010 Austin Business Journal "Going Green Award." At the present time time, KISS Janitorial is one of seven janitorial companies in the great State of Texas that is certified to do green cleaning by the Green Business League. The "2010 Going Green Breakfast" will honor Central Texas companies who make efforts to incorporate environmentally sustainable practices into the business and community work. The event will be held Thursday, June 10, 2010 at 07:30 am at the new Westin Hotel at the Domain located at 11301 Domain Drive Austin Texas 78758. Please attend and cheer for your favorite green sustainable company.

A Clean Building Or Home Should Smell Like Nothing At All!

A Clean Building Or Home Should Smell Like Nothing At All!

Did you know that the fragrances in the traditional cleaning products could actually be harmful to your health and the environment? Because manufacturers are not required by law to list fragrance ingredients on the labels of cleaners, it is difficult to determine which chemicals may be used in any given product for scent. In most cases, you will see no more than the word "fragrance". Today, most fragrances are synthesized, primarily from petroleum products. About 3,000 chemicals are used in the fragrance industry, but very few of these have been tested for their cancer causing potential or other health effects. Most scented products contain multiple chemicals, including dangerous solvents to known or suspected carcinogens, reproductive toxins, neurotoxins, phosphates, borates, and nitrates to achieve a fragrance. A single fragrance usually contains multiple chemicals--as few as 10 chemicals to as many as several hundred. These chemicals pollute every thing from our indoor air to our drinking water. Commercial and household cleaners are often scented so that cleaning seems more effective and enjoyable. Most people say they don’t like green cleaning products because it doesn’t smell clean after their use. It’s true! Green cleaners typically do not have the strong chemical smell or added fragrances of conventional products, but do you know what else you’re missing when you miss the smell?

· You’re missing an increased risk of many types of cancer. In fact, a study recently conducted in the Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine links certain occupations to bladder cancer. Maid and janitorial workers, according to the study, were among the occupational groups found to experience above average incidences of bladder & rectal cancer. If chemicals affect us, then they affect you as well.

· You’re missing respiratory irritation. Many chemicals used in the fragrance industry are known irritants. For example, the commonly used citrus scent, d-limonene, can cause skin and eye irritation, difficulty breathing and bronchial irritation. It can also react with ozone to form tiny particles that aggravate lung and heart disease. Ethanol and Camphor used in many consumer-cleaning products is capable of causing headaches, shortness of breath, weakness and central nervous system depression and complete biological shutdown.

· You’re missing contaminated water. Synthetic chemicals in fragrance products don't just disappear into thin air. Both consumers and manufacturers are guilty of rinsing them down the drain. Wastewater treatment facilities do not screen out these chemicals, and they subsequently end up in our environment and drinking water. A U.S. Geological Survey Report on wastewater contaminants in America’s streams found fragrances in 27 percent of 139 streams studied.

You’re missing an association with asthma, allergies, birth defects, and psychological disorders for your office staff, family, friends, yourself, and even your children.

There is mounting evidence every day that many traditional cleaning products contain chemicals that are dangerous to the skin, eyes, lungs, kidneys or other organs. If dirt, dust, and germs are removed with “good smelling harsh chemicals”, then how are you removing the harsh chemicals that you have introduced into your home or office environment? Ironically, conventional cleaning chemicals actually increase indoor pollution and promote many of our health problems we are experiencing today.

Just to make things more confusing, it turns out that scent formulas are often protected as “proprietary information” by law. That means you’ll often see the generic term "fragrance" or "perfume" on a label without information about the actual chemicals used and the amounts. It also makes it impossible for research scientist to study the potential health effects of fragrances. Even products labeled "fragrance-free" may, in fact, contain fragrances. According to the self-regulated industry, the term "fragrance-free" implies that a product has no detectable odor, but it may contain fragrance used to mask a bad-smelling raw material.

I feel that it is my duty to educate consumers so that their office or home can be healthier through green practices. Remember: Just because you may not be able to smell cleaning products in your office or home after a green cleaning doesn’t mean it isn’t clean.

Thank you.

Roger D. Simpson “Certified Green Consultant”
Vice President

KISS Janitorial
13498 Pond Springs Road Bldg. "A"
Austin, Texas 78729
Office (512)-258-7003 Fax (512)-250-1225
Cell (512)-751-2402

What a wonderful life I've have.

I only wish I'd realized it sooner.

………….Colette

http://www.kisscleaning.com/

KISS Janitorial RE: Bleach A Product We Can Do Without

Bleach……………A Product We Can Live Without

If you use it or not on some level you have to know that bleach is not good for you, your family, your company, or the environment. You would not give it to your son or daughter to drink, would you? Of course not! I used to love it until I started to read the safety & data sheets on the product that OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration) requires on all chemicals. I am amazed that so many medical professionals, day care owners, and health departments still recommend chlorine bleach (sodium hypochlorite) to whiten our whites, disinfect surfaces, and purify drinking water. As far as I am concerned, bleach is one of the most dangerous unregulated chemicals in the world. Chlorine bleach causes damage to your eyes, skin and lungs. Whether swallowed or inhaled, bleach leads to more deaths than any other household cleaner. When chlorine is produced at the factory level, dioxins and furans, (toxic chemicals) which are known carcinogens, are released into the environment eventually entering our food chain and concentrate in cow’s milk. Some chlorine factories emit brain-damaging mercury into the environment as well. Bleach also forms harmful byproducts when mixed with organic compounds such as wastewater, wood and soil. These carcinogens called trihalomethanes have been found to cause miscarriages, birth defects, and bladder & rectal cancers.

Some Of The Symptoms of Bleach Poisoning

· Unable to walk in a normal manner,
· Slurred speech,
· No urine output,
· Collapse,
· Breathing difficulty,
· Burning pain in the throat,
· Blurred vision,
· Burns & Blistering to the esophagus, eyes, ears, nose, throat, other skin areas,
· Coughing from the fumes and vomiting,
· Abdominal and chest pain,
· Diarrhea (watery, bloody),
· Low blood pressure, slow heartbeat,
· Rash,
· Stupor,
· Delirium,
· Coma,
· Shock,
· Collapse,
· And Death,

The chlorine gas from bleach in low exposure irritates the respiratory system, eyes and skin. Higher levels can lead to accumulation of fluid in the lungs and other symptoms, and death is possible with heavy exposure, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chlorine inflicts damage by forming hydrochloric acid when coming in contact with moisture such as found in the lungs and eyes. It is lethal at a mix of 1:5000 (gas/air). Bleach, also commonly used as a disinfectant, is the number one chemical involved in household poisoning. Hypochlorite (bleach) is the source of tens of thousands poisonings every year in the United States. It is believed that bleach may cause reproductive, endocrine, and immune system disorders, as well as, attacking the liver, kidneys, spleen, pancreas, and the central nervous system.

We have lots of choices if life for our workplace and homes. A clean safe office and home environment should be our goal. Do it for your health. Do it for your children’s health. Do it for the health of the planet. Go green.

Sincerely,

Roger D. Simpson “Certified Green Consultant”
Vice President

Klean Image Service Specialists
13498 Pond Springs Road Bldg. "A"
Austin, Texas 78729
Office (512)-258-7003 Fax (512)-250-1225
Cell (512)-751-2402

http://www.kisscleaning.com/

KISS Janitorial Austin, Texas RE: Why Green Cleaning

The Green Revolution……Why Green Cleaning?


From SARS to Bird Flu to the common cold, germs and bacteria are making big headlines. This is the reason why K.I.S.S. Janitorial is taking cleaning to the “next level”. We will not only provide your facility with a clean appearance, we will also create a healthy environment for your building occupants. The concept of “Green” relates primarily to the health and well being of the people who inhabit our homes, schools, daycares, offices, and factories everywhere. If your company is planning to "Go Green," the key issues are not energy or water conservation, building materials, or access to public transportation. The main purpose of green cleaning is to improve the indoor air quality and the continued good health of all the people in a chemically free office environment. We need to do more than just have a place look clean…it has to be an environment that is healthy and sanitary.

The facts:

· There are over 70,000 chemicals being used today, and fewer than 2% have been thoroughly tested for the effects on human and aquatic life.

· The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that people spend up to 90% of their time indoors and as much of half of our population is exposed to “polluted” indoor air. Indoor air is typically 2 to 5 times worse than outdoor air and can be up to 100 times more polluted. The economic impact is alarming, since poor Indoor Air Quality can affect employee health and productivity. Studies show that 15 billion dollars are lost annually in lost productivity as a result of poor Indoor Air Quality and cross-contamination.

· Would you believe that the average office desk is home to 20,000 germs per square inch ……400 times more bacteria than the average toilet seat. The main “fomites” (where germs linger) in office areas are: contaminated desks, door knobs, phone receivers, computer keyboards, and elevator buttons. Germs and bacteria, for example, can effect others for up to three days.

· Cleaning products are responsible for nearly 8% of non-vehicular emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCS) which can increase the risk of sickness and lead to ailments such as allergies, influenza, asthma, SARS, birth defects, cancer, and many other adverse effects

· 11.6% of work related asthma comes from common cleaning products.

· An estimated 35% of conventional cleaning products can cause blindness and severe skin damage to internal organs through skin contact.

· Implementing a cleaning-for-health program that disinfects commonly touched objects can help reduce germs and bacteria by 99.9 percent and prevent the spread of infectious diseases.


What does your custodial closet say about your cleaning goals and that of your present cleaning company? Take a look if you dare. The best janitorial operations have closets that reflect their company’s green cleaning mission, from the aesthetics of the room to the types of green “Designed for the Environment” DfE products and equipment stocked inside. Custodial closets tend to be overlooked because too many areas of the facility rank higher on the housekeeping department’s priority list. Does it really matter if the custodial closet is in shambles? Yes. In fact, the appearance of custodial closets is often directly related to professionalism and the service level of your entire building.


In summary, “green cleaning” is simply defined as cleaning to protect health without harming the environment. However, green does not come in a bottle. When selecting a partner, it is important to find someone who provides not only support, but also a top-level certified individual and company with expertise and leadership on the subject of cleaning procedures, matting, ventilation, and products. There are plenty of janitorial services with “Green Stuff” on their cart or in the janitorial closet. “They talk the talk”, but “they do not walk the walk”. We are serious about our green commitment to you and our environment. We are dedicated to bring unparalleled services and support to our clients.


Roger D. Simpson
Vice President

Kiss Janitorial
13498 Pond Springs Road Bldg. "A"
Austin, Texas 78729
Office (512)-258-7003 Fax (512)-250-1225
Cell (512)-751-2402

www.kisscleaning.com

Synergy of Toxic Tort

The synergy of Toxic Tort Litigation and public health coming to a court near you

ABSTRACT

Toxic torts is a relatively new area of the law, but its seeds were sown a century ago with developments in modern culture. While the asbestos well has gone mostly dry for trial lawyers, and specific exclusions for lead poisoning have already taken effect, mold, Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), and chemical contamination are moving to the forefront of toxic tort and premises liability litigation. The design, manufacture, and marketing of the chemicals constituted one such development, one with far-reaching legal consequences which continue to challenge the legal system today. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health estimated that 390,000 new cases of occupational disease occur each year and that 100,000 Americans die from occupationally caused illness and disease every year. The report commented that this figure may be a low estimate because of the great numbers of cases which are not recognized as having an occupational cause. The report also observed that the National Cancer Institute estimated that 60 to 70 percent of all cancers are environmentally caused.

Tort n. from French for "wrong," a civil wrong or wrongful act, whether intentional or “accidental”, from which injury occurs to another. Torts include all negligence cases as well as intentional wrongs which result in harm. Therefore tort law is one of the major areas of law and results in more civil litigation than any other category. People in toxic tort cases do not need to prove their cases beyond reasonable doubt, as is needed in criminal cases. They instead need to prove only that their claims are more likely to be true than not. Generally, courts expect judges and jurors to calculate the care that a reasonable person should take by multiplying the risk of exposure to harm or illness by the possible damage that could result. Toxic tort litigation has grown enormously over the past ten years, targeting corporations and companies that look the other way. The increase in toxic tort cases reflects the growing awareness of the environmental and personal damage resulting from unreasonable care by corporate and company actions. Corporations, like IBM, AMD, Motorola, 3 M Company, Burger King, McDonald’s, The Red Cross, Safety-Klean, Atlantic Richfield, Wyeth (formerly American Home products), and Hoffman-LaRoche, just to name as few, has experience first hand toxic tort litigation including: chemical sensitivity; indoor air quality; groundwater, soil and air contamination; radiation; workplace exposure; pesticides; solvents; poly chlorinated biphenyls (PCBs); gloves; electromagnetic fields (EMFs); endocrine disruptors, and more. It has cost each of them millions of dollars in legal fees as well as judgments. Toxic tort attorneys investigate claims that corporations and companies have mishandled waste and emissions, affecting soil, air, or water.

Toxic Tort Litigation is a complicated, convoluted and time-consuming legal process. Fortunately, however, there is a solution to reduce or mitigate claims. K P Environmental Services International emphasizes the importance of taking preventative measures to avoid expensive litigation. Toxic tort litigation attorneys focus on statutes such as CERCLA, RCRA, the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, the Oil Pollution Act, the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, and EPA compliance. We advise our clients on pollution prevention that is the reduction or elimination of discharges or emissions to the environment. This includes all pollution: hazardous and non-hazardous, regulated and unregulated, across all media, and from all sources. A systematic approach will produce better results than piecemeal efforts. An essential first step is to develop a comprehensive Environmental Health and Safety Policy focusing on Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and the environment. Air filtration, a "certified green cleaning program", Integrated Pest Management (IPM), hazard waste management is a few of the main elements for a successful program. Performing and archiving Indoor Air Quality tests on a regular basis and eliminating problems is the best defense if you find your company on the wrong end of a toxic tort litigation lawsuit. Concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulates can be more than 100 times higher in indoor spaces than outside spaces. It’s important to make informed decisions about managing your company’s risk. Some companies choose a proactive approach; others the reactive approach. Which approach do you want to take? The time bomb is ticking.

Roger D. Simpson Certified Green Consultant™

Vice President of KISS Inc. & CEO of KP Environmental Services International

Klean Image Service Specialists
13498 Pond Springs Road Bldg. "A"
Austin, Texas 78729
Office (512)-258-7003 Fax (512)-250-1225
Cell (512)-751-2402

Think about the "impact" you have on
the environment by printing this email.

The Facts: Buildings account for:

39% of the total energy use.
12% of the total water consumption.
68% of the total electricity consumption.
38% of the carbon dioxide emissions.

PLEASE CONSERVE


www.kisscleaning.com

www.kpesi.com

KISS Janitorial RE: Green Cleaning & The Environment

Believe in “magic”! It surrounds you! It is beautiful! It is called “Mother Earth”! She desperately needs our help. The throwaway culture and the chemicals we use are taking a heavy toll on our environment. Untold plant, insect, and animal species have become extinct in the process. Currently the United States consumes 40 percent of the world’s gasoline and oil and more paper, steel, aluminum, energy, and water per capita than any other society on the planet. The average American produces twice as much garbage as the average European and recent scientific estimates indicate that at least four additional planets would be needed if each of the planet’s six billion residents consumed at the level of the average American. Did you know that virtually every stream in the lower 48 states is contaminated with pesticides and PCBs? Did you know that cleaning products are among the most hazardous chemicals you will find and therefore regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission?

There is a growing trend of American companies who are working to create a new “American Dream” by changing the way they consume to protect the environment. I am proud to say that K. I. S. S., Inc., a locally owned and operated company, has been doing its part for the earth by recycling and using “environmentally friendly” products since its beginning in 1991. Together with thousands of other consumers like you, we can make an important and powerful change in our environment. K.I.S.S., Inc. has become the trusted choice for those who seek a socially responsible company focused on the environment and public health. K.I.S.S., Inc. provides a high quality, cost-effective environmental conscience cleaning service that utilizes specially designed high-tech equipment and state-of-the-art technologies. We recycle and use biodegradable, zinc-free, non-toxic products whenever possible. We do not use chlorofluorocarbons or CFCs, which are destroying our earth’s protective ozone layer. Helping the environment is at the top of our shopping list. Leaving less of a footprint on the environment is important to us. We have discovered through the years that many “environmentally preferable” products, such as organic and all-natural alternatives, work as well or better than traditional products and they save money too.

Mankind has generated huge quantities of atmospheric and solid waste degrading the water, soil and air with a measurable impact on our environment. We need to “turn up the music” because the Environmental Protection Agency reports that less than 15 percent of Americans routinely incorporate environmental considerations into their individual purchasing decisions. This is very sad. I thought the percentage would be much higher. Since the mid-eighteenth century, more of nature has been destroyed than in all prior history. From 1970 to 1995, we lost more than 30 percent of the resources that sustain life on the planet. During that period, freshwater ecosystems declined by 50 percent, while marine ecosystems declined by 30 percent. Do you know that the loss in our planet’s natural forest cover amounts to an area the size of England and Wales combined annually?

If we wish to reverse this trend and preserve necessary resources for our children and futures generations, we must shift our consumption choices toward environmentally friendly goods and reduce our consumption of resources. We ask you to join K.I.S.S., Inc. in a “pro environment” attitude and to do your part to help preserve the ecological health and beauty of our planet, nation, state and city. Together we can make a positive difference. Our environment is our responsibility!

Roger D. Simpson Certified Green Consultant™

Vice President

Klean Image Service Specialists
13498 Pond Springs Road Bldg. "A"
Austin, Texas 78729
Office (512)-258-7003 Fax (512)-250-1225
Cell (512)-751-2402