Question
Making the World Clean and Safe
Physical Science Studies: Structure, Interactions, and Properties of Matter
It's your turn to clean the bathroom—yuck. You've got all kinds of stuff to help you out: a cleaning solution that removes soap scum from the shower walls, bleach for the sink, and something in a squeeze bottle that you aim into the toilet bowl to make it sparkling clean. When you're all done, the room is good and clean, free of dirt and bacteria. There's just one problem—those solutions you used to clean can be harmful to people and the environment. For this reason, many people say that traditional cleaners should be rejected and replaced with less harmful "green" products.
What's wrong with some cleaning products? They contain harsh chemicals that just aren't healthy for humans, animals, or the planet. Think of the smoke spewing from a factory and getting into the air. The smoke creates air pollution, which harms the environment and makes you feel ill when you breathe it in. Similarly, the chemicals in cleaning products contaminate the air and can hurt you when you breathe them in or when they get on your skin.
Not all cleaning products are harmful. Green products, which do not contain harsh chemicals, are said to be good alternatives because they are effective at cleaning and are safe for people and for the planet. Still, not all products that are labeled "green" or "all natural" are actually environmentally friendly. That is why the U.S. government's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed a label that it puts on products it considers to be safe. An organization called Green Seal Inc. also tests products to determine which ones are safe. Linda Chipperfield, a vice president for Green Seal, says its certified products use less packaging and do not contain chemicals that cause disease, kill aquatic life, or deplete the ozone layer, among other things. Like the EPA, Green Seal allows companies to put its seal on the products it approves.
Concern about chemicals has led many states to require schools and government buildings to use environmentally friendly cleaning products. As of early 2010, 10 states required or encouraged the use of green products. At least 5 other states were considering laws in support of these products.
Wisconsin is one of those states. A proposed bill there would apply to bathroom and floor cleaners, hand soap, toilet paper, paper towels, vacuum cleaners, and carpet extractors. Among its supporters is the powerful Wisconsin Education Association Council, which represents public school teachers and staff.
"The goal of the bill is to make schools and other public space less toxic and healthier for kids and the general public," said Democratic Representative Cory Mason, a sponsor of the bill in Wisconsin.
Many green cleaning products are widely available at prices similar to traditional products. In some cases, manufacturers receive green certifications for products they have long had on the market. The prices of these products remain low.
"There is no reason to pay a penny more to acquire green products. Plain and simple," said John Matthews. Matthews is senior vice president for JohnsonDiversey, a manufacturer of cleaning products used around the globe. "And across the board, reputable companies are capable of making green products that perform well."
But not everyone shares Matthews' view about the affordability of green products. Toilet paper, trash bags, and paper towels made from recycled materials can cost up to 20 percent more than traditional products, said Stephen Ashkin. Ashkin is executive director of the Green Cleaning Network, which supports the adoption of green cleaning products.
Opponents of Wisconsin's proposed law are concerned about the potentially higher costs for some green products. These critics say that states should not determine which products schools and agencies must buy, especially if they increase costs. Many schools and agencies are already struggling financially, critics point out.
Some states have made compromises to help address concerns about costs. In Wisconsin, a recent amendment to the bill would give schools and agencies three years instead of one to begin using green products. It would also allow them to opt out if they could show that their costs would increase.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Question 8
8 / 8
Based on the article, which is most likely to happen?
Green Seal Inc. will certify and approve cleaning products regardless of whether or not they are environmentally friendly.
More states will require or encourage the use of green cleaning products in schools and government buildings.
The Wisconsin Education Association Council will decide to withdraw its proposal to require the use of green cleaning products.
The EPA will decide that it is no longer necessary to identify green cleaning products with a special label.
Physical Science Studies: Structure, Interactions, and Properties of Matter
It's your turn to clean the bathroom—yuck. You've got all kinds of stuff to help you out: a cleaning solution that removes soap scum from the shower walls, bleach for the sink, and something in a squeeze bottle that you aim into the toilet bowl to make it sparkling clean. When you're all done, the room is good and clean, free of dirt and bacteria. There's just one problem—those solutions you used to clean can be harmful to people and the environment. For this reason, many people say that traditional cleaners should be rejected and replaced with less harmful "green" products.
What's wrong with some cleaning products? They contain harsh chemicals that just aren't healthy for humans, animals, or the planet. Think of the smoke spewing from a factory and getting into the air. The smoke creates air pollution, which harms the environment and makes you feel ill when you breathe it in. Similarly, the chemicals in cleaning products contaminate the air and can hurt you when you breathe them in or when they get on your skin.
Not all cleaning products are harmful. Green products, which do not contain harsh chemicals, are said to be good alternatives because they are effective at cleaning and are safe for people and for the planet. Still, not all products that are labeled "green" or "all natural" are actually environmentally friendly. That is why the U.S. government's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed a label that it puts on products it considers to be safe. An organization called Green Seal Inc. also tests products to determine which ones are safe. Linda Chipperfield, a vice president for Green Seal, says its certified products use less packaging and do not contain chemicals that cause disease, kill aquatic life, or deplete the ozone layer, among other things. Like the EPA, Green Seal allows companies to put its seal on the products it approves.
Concern about chemicals has led many states to require schools and government buildings to use environmentally friendly cleaning products. As of early 2010, 10 states required or encouraged the use of green products. At least 5 other states were considering laws in support of these products.
Wisconsin is one of those states. A proposed bill there would apply to bathroom and floor cleaners, hand soap, toilet paper, paper towels, vacuum cleaners, and carpet extractors. Among its supporters is the powerful Wisconsin Education Association Council, which represents public school teachers and staff.
"The goal of the bill is to make schools and other public space less toxic and healthier for kids and the general public," said Democratic Representative Cory Mason, a sponsor of the bill in Wisconsin.
Many green cleaning products are widely available at prices similar to traditional products. In some cases, manufacturers receive green certifications for products they have long had on the market. The prices of these products remain low.
"There is no reason to pay a penny more to acquire green products. Plain and simple," said John Matthews. Matthews is senior vice president for JohnsonDiversey, a manufacturer of cleaning products used around the globe. "And across the board, reputable companies are capable of making green products that perform well."
But not everyone shares Matthews' view about the affordability of green products. Toilet paper, trash bags, and paper towels made from recycled materials can cost up to 20 percent more than traditional products, said Stephen Ashkin. Ashkin is executive director of the Green Cleaning Network, which supports the adoption of green cleaning products.
Opponents of Wisconsin's proposed law are concerned about the potentially higher costs for some green products. These critics say that states should not determine which products schools and agencies must buy, especially if they increase costs. Many schools and agencies are already struggling financially, critics point out.
Some states have made compromises to help address concerns about costs. In Wisconsin, a recent amendment to the bill would give schools and agencies three years instead of one to begin using green products. It would also allow them to opt out if they could show that their costs would increase.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Question 8
8 / 8
Based on the article, which is most likely to happen?
Green Seal Inc. will certify and approve cleaning products regardless of whether or not they are environmentally friendly.
More states will require or encourage the use of green cleaning products in schools and government buildings.
The Wisconsin Education Association Council will decide to withdraw its proposal to require the use of green cleaning products.
The EPA will decide that it is no longer necessary to identify green cleaning products with a special label.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
Based on the article, the most likely outcome is:
**More states will require or encourage the use of green cleaning products in schools and government buildings.**
The article discusses how several states have already passed or are considering laws to promote the use of environmentally friendly cleaning products, indicating a trend towards more states adopting similar measures.
**More states will require or encourage the use of green cleaning products in schools and government buildings.**
The article discusses how several states have already passed or are considering laws to promote the use of environmentally friendly cleaning products, indicating a trend towards more states adopting similar measures.