HARRISONBURG – RMH is not only clean, but also “green,” thanks to the recent switch to environmentally friendly cleaning products throughout the hospital.

RMH has begun using only cleaning products that have a stamp of approval from Green Seal, a third-party evaluation agency, according to Bernie Ferguson, director, Environmental Services.

These products are better not only for the environment, but the health of employees and patients, since they contain no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and no fragrance, Ferguson said. In addition, he noted, the products are biodegradable, recyclable and non-combustible, and the products are not tested on animals.

Disinfectants—mostly used in restrooms—are not available as “green” products due to their nature, but all other products used at RMH are Green Seal approved, Ferguson said.

RMH seeks to create an environmentally-friendly and sustainable campus at its new facility scheduled to open mid-2010. Thus, the hospital is seeking ways to transition into environmentally-friendly work practices at its current facility, Ferguson said. Green Seal products are being phased in throughout the hospital and these products will already be in use and familiar to staff when the new hospital opens.

Using green cleaning products will give RMH credit toward achieving U.S. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for the new facility. And switching to the new green cleaning products will not add cost.

“Our vendor, Buckeye International, is embracing green products, so our cost should stay same,” said Ferguson. “Going green with our cleaning products will help the hospital achieve its LEED certification goal and it will be safer for our staff and our patients. It’s the right thing to do for our staff, our patients and our environment.”                            

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