Are your Cleaning Products Really Safe?

How safe are your cleaning products?  You might be surprised that some products advertised as “nontoxic”, ‘biodegradable” and “environmentally friendly” still contain harmful chemicals.  Many IPAX products, such as Green Unikleen, are certified by Green Seal, and do not contain these chemicals.

Look at the following article syndicated by the San Francisco Chronicle, as well as the list of products containing a popular, but hazardous ingredient.

 July 27, 2007

Hazards found in household cleaners

Common products have chemicals linked to fertility disorders in lab tests, nonprofit reports.

Jane Kay / San Francisco Chronicle

SAN FRANCISCO -- Dozens of common household cleaning products contain hidden toxic chemicals linked to fertility disorders in lab animals, according to data gathered by a women's research group.

A type of glycol ether is frequently found in popular cleaning products such as Windex Aerosol, Formula 409, Lemon Fresh Pine-Sol and Simple Green All Purpose Cleaner, says the report released this week by Women's Voices for the Earth, a Montana-based nonprofit working to eliminate or reduce toxic chemicals in the home.

The chemical, called ethylene glycol butyl ether or EGBE, is on California's list of toxic air contaminants. Some animal studies indicate that it produces reproductive problems, such as testicular damage, reduced fertility, death of embryos and birth defects. People exposed to high levels of EGBE for several hours have reported nose and eye irritation, headaches, vomiting and a metallic taste in their mouths, studies show.

It's difficult for consumers to know whether their favorite cleaner contains the chemical because manufacturers aren't required to list it on the label. Neither the state nor the federal government regulates indoor air pollution, for instance how the cleaners might degrade air inside a home.

"These are products that women are using in their households on a daily basis, and they use them around their children," said Alexandra Gorman, the group's director of science and research and an author of the report.

The group wants to help people become aware of chemicals they might want to avoid

The women’s research group poured through federally mandated Material Safety Data Sheets pertaining to household cleaning products. The data sheets, which are prepared by the manufacturers and are widely available online, contain information on the chemicals used in products.

The group found that EGBE, also known as 2-butoxethanol. was a common ingredient. It’s colorless, biodegradable degreasing chemical with a fruity odor. The researchers found about 50 products containing varied amounts of the chemical.  Some manufacturers, like Sunshine Makers, Inc., which makes the Simple Green brand, didn’t report how much of the chemical is used in its products.  Sunshine Makers, based in Huntington Beach, California, advertises its Simple Green brand as nontoxic and environmentally friendly.   In its response to the research group’s study, the company said it didn’t detail all the chemicals in its products to “protect its formula from piracy.”

Cleaning products reported to contain 2-butoxyethanol

Source:  Scripps Howard News Service

All-purpose cleaners

America's Home Value All Purpose Cleaner

Aroma Clean by Simple Green

Clean Swipe Spray Cleaner

Crystal Simple Green Cleaner/ Degreaser

Formula 409 All Purpose Cleaner Grease & Grime

Formula 409 All Purpose Cleaner Lemon Fresh

Formula 409 All Purpose Cleaner Lemon Fresh Antibacterial

Formula 409 All Purpose Cleaner Degreaser (trigger spray)

Formula 409 Spray All Purpose Cleaner

Formula 409 Daily Kitchen Cleaner

Lemon Fresh Pine-Sol Cleaner & Antibacterial Spray

Pro Formula 409 Degreaser

Savogran Dirtex Spray Cleaner

Simple Green All Purpose Cleaner Lemon Scented

Simple Green All Purpose Cleaner Foam

Simple Green BBQ Grill Microwave Cleaner

Simple Green Concentrated Cleaner, Degreaser, Deodorizer

Simple Green Extreme Clean

Simple Green Multi-Purpose Cleaner

SOS All Purpose Cleaner Lemon Scent

Whistle All Purpose Cleaner

Bathroom Cleaners

America's Home Value Bathroom Cleaner

Aqua Mix Heavy Duty Tile and Grout Cleaner

Magic American Marble & Granite Magic Tile & Grout Magic Cleaner

Carpet/Rug Cleaners

Aroma Clean by Simple Green Carpet, Fabric and Upholstery Cleaner

Carpet Stain Remover

It's Magic Carpet Cleaner

Simple Green Carpet Cleaner

Spot Shot Instant Carpet Stain Remover, aerosol and trigger sprays

Spot Shot Large Area Multi-Purpose Cleaner

Floor Cleaners

Fresh Scent Pine-Sol Spray & Mop Floor Cleaner

Lemon Fresh Pine-Sol Quick Floor Cleaner

Aroma Clean by Simple Green Floor Cleaner

Break Up Floor Stripper

Glass Cleaners

America's Home Value Glass Cleaner

Easy Off Glass Cleaner

Lemonized with Ammonia

Formula 409 Glass & Surface Cleaner

Glass Plus Mirror & Glass Cleaner

Sparkle Glass Cleaner

Windex Aerosol Wipes

Aroma Clean by Simple Green All Purpose Cleaner Wipes

Formula 409 Cleaning Wipes

Simple Green All Purpose Towelettes

Simple Green Lemon Scented All Purpose Wipes

Simple Green Safety Towels

Source: Manufacturers and Women's Voices for the Earth,

Detroit, Michigan

April, 2006

IPAX Cleanogel, Inc. has announced several new initiatives as the company enters its 26^th year of operations.  IPAX is a woman-owned, WBENC certified chemical company that last year was named to three of the “Top” lists by Diversity.com:  Top Woman-Owned Businesses; Top Diversity Owned Businesses; and Top Small Businesses in Michigan. 

Alla Katz, President of IPAX, stated that: “Our Company has devoted a quarter century to developing and marketing the most environmentally friendly, most effective cleaning products in the industry. These new initiatives support our Company Mission, and are focused on improving the environment through expanding our product technology into new areas.”

IPAX Green Unikleen, the only product in the world with Green Seal Certification for Degreasing (GS-34) has long been a mainstay in the automotive industry, replacing hazardous solvents in parts cleaning operations.  Green Unikleen is a versatile product, and is safe for cleaning all washable surfaces.  The new IPAX initiatives are designed to bring this product’s benefits, along with other IPAX brands, to a broader range of customers in the Commercial/ Industrial markets, the Public Sector, and Consumer Products market.

The specific initiatives IPAX is taking to drive this expansion are:

1. New Products – IPAX will continue to serve its customers by providing new products to meet their changing needs.  Earlier this year, the company introduced IPAX Orange Asphalt Release for governmental customers and road construction companies.  This product provides a lower cost, effective, more environmentally safe alternative to products that were previously used to prevent asphalt from sticking to tools and equipment during the paving process.  This product is already in use by the City of Los Angeles.
2. Industrial Cleaning and Degreasing – IPAX is expanding its product distribution to more effectively market to the Industrial Cleaning and Degreasing markets.  IPAX has added major distributors and is seeking additional distributors to broaden the reach of its product throughout the US.
3. Public Sector Contracts – IPAX is competing more aggressively for contracts with federal, state, and local municipalities, as well as with school systems, mass transit, and other public sector agencies.  More and more, these customers are seeking affordable and effective cleaning and degreasing products that are also environmentally safe. Many are requesting Green Seal certified products in their bid specifications.
4. Consumer Products – Our Company’s goal is to have a line of cleaning products marketed to consumers.  Green Unikleen can be used to clean any washable surface, and will be the basis of an entire line of Green Seal certified consumer products. To accomplish this goal, IPAX is developing alliances with other manufacturers, brokers, and major retailers.
5. International Markets – IPAX will continue to grow its business by expanding to overseas markets.  Our 250,000 sq. ft. joint venture plant in China will go into full scale production later this year.  Our China partner is making initial sales presentation to customers in the Industrial, Government, and Retail markets, and we expect the emerging China market to make an important contribution to our company’s growth.
6. Parts Washer Service Expansion – IPAX provides comprehensive Parts Washer Service to plants in the Upper Midwest.  This on-site service includes cleaning parts washer units, providing necessary repairs to the units, fluid replenishment, and waste disposal.  We plan to expand this service to a broader geographic area through franchising independent service technicians.  Through these franchisees, the environmental benefits of IPAX Parts Cleaning Service, and replacement of hazardous solvents, can be extended to new customers in expanded geography.

“We are excited about these new initiatives”, said Ms. Katz, “and feel that they will help our company reach many new customers.” 

<"This product meets Green Seal's standard for cleaning/degreasing agents based on its reduced hazard to humans, reduced aquatic impacts, reduced smog production, and low ozone depletion potential."
	The only Company in the World To receive Green Seal (GS-34) Certification

Detroit, Michigan – IPAX Cleanogel, Inc., manufacturer and marketer of human and environmentally preferable institutional and industrial degreasers announced today that it has received the Green Seal Certification in each GS-34 category that Green Seal offers. This standard establishes environmental requirements for cleaning/degreasing agents. This certification is the culmination of years of research by Ipax Cleanogel, INC. and a four month 15 point evaluation process by Green Seal. Each raw material used is evaluated based on state-of-the art science and information using internationally recognized methods and procedures to ascertain product performance and health and environmental impact. The final step was a plant visit by Green Seal to ensure that proper quality control procedures were in place and followed so that product specifications are met and maintained for all certified products.

Alla Katz, Ipax Cleanogel, INC. President, stated that in independent testing Ipax Cleanogel, INC. products performed up to 9 times better than nationally recognized brands that contain materials which can be corrosive to eyes and skin. “We knew that our products performance was excellent but as important to us is the human and environmental safety profiles these products exhibit. We decided that in order for our products to receive recognition beyond performance it would be necessary to obtain Green Seal GS-34 certification. Obviously, we are very pleased with the outcome.”

“Green Seal is delighted to certify these cleaning products from Ipax Cleanogel, INC., which has demonstrated that products can meet high environmental and health standards while also performing well. We applaud the company’s efforts to develop these products to meet the criteria of GS-34,” said Arthur Weissman, Green Seal’s President and CEO.

About Ipax Cleanogel, INC.

Ipax Cleanogel, INC. manufactures and markets human and environmentally responsible institutional and industrial cleaners/degreasers and disinfectants. All products are based on proprietary formulations that are the result of millions of dollars of research and development. The products are of the highest quality in terms of excellence in scientific research, production quality, application technology, operational performance and human safety. For more information visit www.Ipax.com or contact Jason Katz, at Jkatz@Ipax.com

A promise to our planet
and to our communities

Part of being a family-owned company means taking a long-term view of our business and the world. We can’t look at what we’re doing today without seeing the impact it will have on the future.

Long before it was fashionable, we understood the natural, critical connection between good environmental practice and good business. Today, we have documented that connection in our company profile.

It’s no coincidence that an organization committed to helping places stay clean and safe should keep that same focus on the place that ultimately matters most to us all: our planet.

Our promise to people also goes beyond clean.

Every year, IPAX Cleanogel, INC. commits a portion of pretax profits to the development of Environmentally Safe Cleaning Solutions. The fund operates programs designed to improve the quality of life in our host communities around the world and dispenses millions of dollars to the cause.

This commitment to individual and corporate responsibility is one of the key principles articulated in our commitment to the environment, that reflects the deep-seated beliefs we have held since our founding in 1982.

Our commitment to our planet and to our communities is as deep as our roots.

Local Business Gains National Recognition

Local Diversity Business Named among Michigan’s Top 100 in Three Categories

DETROIT, MICHIGAN, December 20, 2005 - In recognition of the economic power of multicultural businesses, DiversityBusiness.com, the nations’ leading multicultural internet site, recently recognized IPAX Cleanogel, Inc. of Detroit, with three separate awards as one of the top Diversity-Owned businesses in Michigan, one of the top Woman-Owned businesses in Michigan, and one of the top Small Businesses (Div100).   

The Div100 is the 6th^h annual listing of Michigan’s top 100 diversity-owned businesses.  Ranging in revenue size from $1 million to over $1.2 billion, the companies listed on the Div100 represent the Michigan’s top multicultural earners and challenge the long-held notion that a diversity-owned business is small or insignificant. Div100 members are sought after by major corporations wishing to increase spending with diversity owned companies.

The Impact of Diversity Business

Affected by recent economic and demographic trends and changes, corporations throughout the country have recognized that buying products and services from diversity owned companies positively impacts their business. Diversity-owned businesses contribute over $1.4 trillion in sales to the U.S. economy.

“Diversity businesses and consumers are a growing force in the U.S. economy, and a force to be reckoned with,” said Kenton Clarke, CEO of Computer Consulting Associates International, the company that built DiversityBusiness.com.  “It’s no longer only about the Fortune 1000. This is a whole business segment that can carry its own, that provides jobs, products and services, and generates wealth for their communities.  These are the new leaders in American business.”   

The Div100

The Div100 is a classification that represents the top 100 diversity-owned (women, Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, Native Indian and other minority groups) businesses in Michigan, in sectors such as technology, manufacturing, food service and professional services. Large organizational buyers throughout the country that do business with multicultural and women-owned businesses use the list. The Div100 is produced annually by DiversityBusiness.com, the nation's leading multicultural B2B Internet portal that links large organizational buyers to multicultural product and service suppliers.

The winning companies will be honored at a special awards ceremony at DiversityBusiness.com’s 6th^h Annual Multicultural Business Conference, taking place March 29 – March 31, 2006 at the MGM Mirage in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

“The Div100 companies are the heroes of diversity-owned business in Michigan,” said Kenton Clarke. “While Fortune magazine lists the best companies for minorities to work for, we list the top businesses owned by minorities. These are the people that have conquered the hurdles and made the sacrifices, building and strengthening their communities, providing jobs and helping to keep the fabric of the U.S. economy together.”  

About IPAX Cleanogel, Inc.

IPAX Cleanogel, Inc. is a 25-year old, Detroit-based chemical manufacturer specializing on environmentally friendly cleaning and degreasing products.  IPAX pioneered aqueous parts washing in the automotive industry, replacing hazardous solvents, and has served the Big 3 automakers, Tier 1 suppliers, and other industries for over two decades.  IPAX’ leading product, Green Unikleen, is a non-toxic, non-caustic, biodegradable cleaner and degreaser, and is the only product in the world to have received Green Seal Certification for degreasing (GS-34).

About DiversityBusiness.com

Launched in 1999, with over 30,000 members DiversityBusiness.com is the largest organization of diversity-owned businesses throughout the United States that provide goods and services to Fortune 1000 companies, government agencies and colleges and universities. Members use the sites technology to find and track new business opportunities. It also produces the country’s largest conference on diversity education and training for major corporations and small business. Its research on top businesses appears in Fortune, Forbes and numerous magazines and media publications.  The site has gained national recognition and has won numerous awards for its content and design. DiversityBusiness.com is produced by Computer Consulting Associates International Inc. (CCAii.com) of Southport, CT. CCA was founded in 1980 by CEO Kenton Clarke. 

For additional information, please contact:

Tom McClure

IPAX Cleanogel, Inc.

tmcclure@ipax.com