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The Offices of Sustainability and Supply Management recently issued a joint Memorandum of Policy requiring the Postal Service™ to avoid products containing 13 targeted chemicals. These chemicals are hazardous and must not be procured or used unless there are no viable alternatives.
The Postal Service is prohibited from procuring cleaners, paints, solvents, pesticides, adhesives, and other chemical products if they contain these targeted chemicals, with limited approved exceptions. The Office of Sustainability also may, upon request, issue a case-by-case waiver when there are no viable alternatives.
Employees should purchase cleaning products and other supplies from our corporate eBuy2 catalogs, and are encouraged to fulfill their needs by purchasing environmentally preferred products (EPP) which are specifically identified with a green leaf icon.
The list of targeted chemicals below that should not be used or purchased applies to all products purchased, including all local buying activities.
Targeted Chemical
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Prohibited In (Common products to be avoided if they contain Targeted Chemicals )
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Approved In (Excepted products containing Targeted Chemicals)
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1,1,1-Trichloroethane (Methyl chloroform, methyltrichloromethane, trichloromethylmethane, and alpha-trichloromethane)
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Solvents, Degreasers, Glues, Aerosols, and Spot Cleaners
Note: This chemical is uncommon due to banned production in the United States.
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None
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1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene
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Solvents, Degreasers, Herbicides, and Lubricants
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None
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Benzene
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Lubricants, Pesticides, Detergents, and Plastics
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Gasoline
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Lead
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Wheel Weights, Paints, and Solder Flux
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Batteries, Pipes, Building and Roofing Materials, and Electronics
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Mercury
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*See exceptions.
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Fluorescent Lamps, Thermostats, Thermometers, and Electronics
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Methylene chloride (dichloromethane)
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Solvents, Paint Strippers, Aerosols, Pesticides, and Degreasers
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None
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Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK, 2-butanone)
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Paints, Glues, Cleaners, Paint Thinners, Adhesives, Dyes, Inks, Lacquers, and Varnishes
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None
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Methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK, MIK, hexone)
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Paints, Varnishes, Lacquers, Cleaners, Greases, Dyes, Inks, and Insecticides
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None
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Naphthalene
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Dyes, Insecticides, Solvents, and Lubricants
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None
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Tetrachloroethylene (tetrachloroethene, perchlorothylene, PCE, PERC)
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Degreasers, Solvents, Paints, Spot Cleaners, and Glues
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None
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Toluene
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Paints, Paint Thinners, Lacquers, Adhesives, Inks, Cleaners, and Disinfectants
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Gasoline
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Trichloroethylene (TCE)
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Solvents, Degreasers, Paint Removers, Adhesives, and Cleaners
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None
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Xylenes
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Solvents, Cleaners, Paint Thinners, and Pesticides
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Gasoline
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For information on how to find alternative products that do not contain targeted chemicals, employees may visit http://blue.usps.gov/sustainability/green_purchasing.htm and look for the green leaf icon on eBuy2.
— Environmental Compliance and Risk Management, Office of Sustainability, 2-5-15
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