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In California, child care facilities must comply with California Child Care Licensing (CCL) regulations for sanitizing and disinfecting in order to maintain infection control. Bleach, a cost-effective multipurpose product, is widely used to meet CCL requirements. However, bleach is known to exacerbate asthma, and according to the State's Work-Related Asthma Program, exposure to bleach has been associated with new asthma cases. Therefore, starting in 2008, the San Francisco Asthma Task Force conducted a grant-funded* pilot project to identify methods for infection control practices that eliminate or reduce child care operator exposure to bleach. 

Based on the findings of the project, the Task Force has established recommendations for bleach-free sanitizers and disinfectants that are safer for asthma; and recommendations regarding safer practices for using bleach. The goal of these recommendations and suggestions--which include specific training needs for management, staff and parents--is to encourage the sustainability of best practices while protecting the health of child care workers and the children served. 

*Funding was provided by San Francisco Foundation, Regional Asthma Management & Prevention, a private donor, and the San Francisco Public Health Foundation.

Each year, the Foundation's report, the “State Honor Roll™ of Asthma and Allergy Policies 

for Schools,” outlines 18 school-related core policies proven to affect positive healthy school 

environments, then assesses each state on how many of these policies they have adopted.  

If a state has enacted at least 15 of the policies, it is listed on the Foundation’s “Honor Roll.”

While thousands of local schools and districts may show innovation and leadership in 

support of students and staff with asthma and allergies, strong state-wide policies are 

lacking throughout the U.S., with some rare bright spots. Visit www.StateHonorRoll.org today to

find out how your state compares!