3 Sevens

Some Cheery News:

"School custodial staffs throughout New York State have gone back to class to learn new ways to clean thanks to a law that went into effect this fall. The milestone legislation requires all schools to use only environmentally safe cleaning products. Prompted by worries about the toxic effects consumer chemicals have on the people who use and encounter them, it applies to both buildings and grounds at all of the state’s public and private elementary and secondary schools and stipulates that state supply schools with a list of approved products. Schools don’t have to throw out any non-green cleaners they have on hand but are prohibited form purchasing any more. The regulations also compel the Office of General Services and the state Education Department to issue a report on June 1, 2007 concerning their impact on schools. That impact is expected to be positive given studies that clearly indicate that attendance, performance, and attention spans all increase when a school’s air quality goes up." - Source: The Non-Toxic Times

Way to go, New York!

I'm sorry, I just get really excited when I see states get behind environmental concerns like this - little things that they can do to make the world safer. The federal government seems too slow to accomplish anything, but strong, conservationally-minded state leaders can really make a difference in an immediate and measurable way. No harsh cleaners in schools, no trans fats in restaurants... maybe I should move to New York!