December 9, 2008

Attorney General and Governor Elect Jay Nixon
Missouri Attorney General's Office
Supreme Court Building
207 West High Street
P.O. Box 899
Jefferson City, Missouri 65102

Dear Mr. Nixon,

I am writing to express grave concerns about the composition and approach of the Missouri Green
Cleaning Committee. I am a physician with 41 years of clinical practice experience, a graduate of
the University of Kansas, College of Medicine, with additional degrees from Johns Hopkins School
of Public Health and Harvard School of Public Health. My specialty is Environmental Medicine
and Toxicology.

I have cared for numerous children, faculty and others who have suffered serious and chronic illness
caused and exacerbated by irritant and toxic cleaning products that were unnecessary for the
purpose intended. It is my sincere wish that this can be prevented in the State of Missouri.

The majority of the subcommittee was comprised of representatives from the cleaning product
industry, with no minutes taken, minimal notice of meetings and other procedural irregularities.

The current schedule of their report is February 2009, when the report and its consequence will face
you as the new governor as well as the children and faculty of the schools of Missouri.

Unfortunately, fragrances are unregulated irritants which can cause serious health effects. Other
potent irritants are unnecessarily used in various cleaning products that can both cause and
exacerbate illness. Even cleaners with a "green" label will often contain irritants, volatile hazardous
compounds and even sensitizing agents.

In my training in public health at both Johns Hopkins and Harvard, it became clear that cleaning
products are commonly used/promoted/advertised for situations that have absolutely no
public-health value. These unnecessary uses cause unnecessary health harm, unnecessary financial expense, unnecessary interference with the learning and teaching process as well as increasing
absenteeism and exacerbating attention deficit disorder, hyperactivity etc.

Another major issue is that incorrect selection and policies regarding cleaning products can violate
Federal disability laws and guidelines, because they create barriers to access. Many students and
teachers have medical conditions such as recurring otitis, sinusitis, asthma, allergies, autoimmune processes and other medical conditions that are exacerbated sufficiently that incorrect selection and
utilization of irritant and toxic products prevents access to the educational process.



Attorney General and Governor Elect Jay Nixon
Missouri Green Cleaning Committee
December 9, 2008
Page 2 of 2

It is important to remember that children are a much more vulnerable population to toxic effects:
Toxic cleaning products and industrial-strength cleaners are both unnecessary and unduly harmful
in the learning environment of children.

It is important that these decisions be made by individuals free of any conflict of interest, include
persons with expertise about cleaning product hazards and use policy and include individuals
representing those adversely affected to help benefit from that perspective and learn from the
mistakes of the past.

For decades I have utilized a regularly updated reference by a nationally renowned health educator,
Carolyn Gorman. She has successfully advised thousands of my patients, and many tens of
thousands of others on precisely what products to avoid and what products are best tolerated. She
has both expertise and lacks any conflict of interest. These documented safer products are listed in
her reference: Less Toxic Alternatives. Each use category lists various products. It is my
experience that less-expensive products (such as Bon Ami, white vinegar, etc.) are safe, effective
and economical.

I regret to trouble you with these issues during your busy time of transition, but feel it is of
significant importance in protecting children and others in Missouri schools.

Feel free to contact me for any questions or other information.

Sincerely,

Grace Ziem, M.D. Dr. P.H.


Return to List of Letters
Return Home