Frequently
Asked Questions
General
Organization Answers
EarthWellTech,
Inc. was founded in 2002 as a company specializing
in the development, manufacture, and distribution
of a full line of environmentally friendly and
user-safe cleaning solutions. EarthWellTech
partnered with formulators specializing in state-of-the-art
"dynamic surface tension" and "nonemulsifying
technologies (as opposed to traditional "static
surface tension" emulsifiers). The current cleaning
product line largely reflects this dynamic technology.
In
the beginning, sales were primarily targeted
toward the end-user consumer market,
until 2006, when EarthWellTech, Inc. decided
to broadened its focus to include commercial
sales opportunities. As a result, company resources
now support an increased sales and management
team, with additional investment in product
development and technology, and exciting prospects
are evolving.
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EarthWellTech's
Corporate Headquarters are located in the beautiful
seacoast town of Sarasota, Florida, a site that
serves as a constant reminder that we
are the stewards of our environment.
Through these offices, we provide our Sales
Representatives and Distributors with the support
they need to understand and meet the needs of
their customers, from specific cleaning problems
and environmental issues to pricing and regulatory
concerns.
Our highly experienced chemists
and formulators enable us to keep up with the
latest in raw materials designed for use in
the manufacture of environmentally- and ecologically-friendly
products. Our manufacturing and distribution
managers oversee that daily production meets
the highest quality standards in the industry,
and that high levels of demand are met in expected
timeframes. Our production facilities are ISO
9002 certified, and production is available
in five strategic locations across the U.S..
No matter what the volume, each batch is thoroughly
tested so that you have our personal and professional
guarantee as to the efficiency and effectiveness
of the product you use.
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Our mission
at EarthWellTech is to develop and promote environmental
technologies that have an enduring positive
and sustainable impact on our world, and to
be a catalyst for awareness and change at the
individual level, in our community and in the
workplace.
EarthWellTech, Inc. is committed
to supporting technologies for ecological sustainability,
to inspiring and educating consumers to make
healthy choices, to producing cost-efficient
and effective products, to promoting an enduring
and positive environmental impact in our communities,
to maintaining the sacred beauty of our planet,
to aligning our attitudes and behaviors with
the enduring principles of honesty and integrity
in all that we do.
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EarthWellTech,
Inc.'s mission is to make a difference in the
environment and people's health. We naturally
want to partner with companies with similar
missions. We want to forge partnership arrangements
which demonstrate our intention and commitment
in tangible ways and assure the success for
all involved. Since
EarthWellTech, Inc. is the manufacturer, we
can offer above-industry-average margins to
our partners. We are also available for private
label opportunities.
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Safety
and Health Answers
EarthWellTech
is a specialty chemical house dedicated to developing,
manufacturing and distributing the safest cleaning
solutions possible given today's chemical technology.
Our products are readily biodegradable, non-toxic
and do not contain any harsh chemicals, abrasives,
or solvents that contribute to waste and air
pollution. In addition, they are non-corrosive
to metals, non-flammable, non-fuming, pH balanced,
non-reactive with other materials and contain
little or no VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds
which contribute to air pollution and smog).
Offering an incredible ecotox
profile, our products are non-hazardous, non-toxic,
non-flammable, non-corrosive, non-fuming, non-caustic,
readily biodegradable, and contain little or
no VOC's (volatile organic compounds). All of
our products are in accordance with current
Federal safety regulations and with environmentally-preferable
purchasing guidelines, and are Green Seal (GS-37)
compliant. Most importantly, those who have
tried our products have experienced unparalleled
success.”
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By regulation, personal
care products companies are required to disclose
their ingredients on the product label. Cleaning
product disclosure is not regulated, and most
companies do not list ingredients directly on
the label. The government is limited in its power
to regulate manufacturers and require testing
of their products. Per the World Resources Institute, “...
of the 17,000 chemicals that appear in common
household products, only 30% have been adequately
tested for their negative effects on human health;
less than 10% have been tested for their effect
on the nervous system; and nothing is known about
the combined effects of these chemicals when
mixed within the human body.” In fact, it
would take decades and millions of dollars to appropriately
test these chemicals. Manufacturers would go out
of business and consumers would not be willing
to pay the outrageous prices.
It might appear that cleaning product manufacturers
have something to hide. More accurately, manufacturers
want to protect their formulas. Cleaning products
lack the usual protections provided by copyrights
or patents, so formulas are considered proprietary
trade secrets and are necessary to exclusivity.
Two indicators, toxicity
and hazardous ingredients, are used as measures
to determine if a chemical, whether synthetic
or organic, is dangerous to you, your loved ones,
your pets and the environment. Sometimes the
information is included on the product label;
when included most ingredients require a chemist's
experience to decipher. Harmful chemicals are
often disguised as trade names which are hidden
or used to misrepresent their true ecotox profile.
Or they might be listed as “inert” components,
which are not bound by the same regulations as “active” components.
The most reliable resource for
toxicity and hazard information is the product's
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). MSDS are
available available through this web site web
site (see individual product information).
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Toxicity
is defined by “LD50,” a scientific term
which literally translates to “lethal dosage, 50th
percentile.” This is the dosage at which 50% of
the organisms exposed to a particular chemical
will die. The term applies both to oral and dermal
(skin) exposure and is expressed in milligrams
of chemical per kilogram of body weight (mg/kg).
The lower the LD50 value, the more toxic the substance.
LD50 is determined using laboratory animals and
extrapolated to ascertain its impact on humans.
Once it is determined for each chemical component,
it can be used to determine overall toxicity of
a product without further animal testing.
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The most reliable resource for toxicity and hazard
information is a product's Material Safety Data
Sheet (MSDS). The Federal Government has recognized
that humans have a right to be protected from toxic
and hazardous materials in their homes and places
of work. State and local governments may impose
additional regulations, but the Federal Standard
sets the basic requirements.
The Hazard Communication
Standard, established in 1983, assures that companies
which produce and/or use hazardous materials
in products provide information and training
regarding their proper handling and use. It states
that we have a “Right to Know” about
potential effects on our health and safety and
how to protect ourselves from harm. It clearly
defines what information is to be communicated
and how that is accomplished. The Material Safety
Data Sheet (MSDS) carries this information.
MSDS must be provided with every order shipped
to a workplace and passed on to each department
which uses that product. Any hazardous or toxic
materials must be disclosed on the MSDS. It is
interesting to note that MSDS are required by law
for industrial use but not for consumer use, though
most manufacturers will provide an MSDS upon request.
EarthWellTech's products have
been tested and verified over the years by Guilford
Laboratories Inc., Diversified Laboratories
Inc., Burlington Chemical Company, The Department
of Energy, Eastman Chemical, Con Edison New
York , and more. EarthWellTech gladly offers
MSDS voluntarily to workplaces by regulation
and to consumers upon request, and are available
through this web site (see individual product
information).
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Life on Earth is
carbon based: living things, first and foremost,
are made up of carbon atoms bound to other carbon
atoms in a water base. Organic compounds contain
both carbon and a second essential element, hydrogen.
This combination forms the simplest class of
organic compounds, called hydrocarbons. Organic
compounds are defined as “living.”
Inorganic chemistry investigates
substances that are not organic, such as minerals
and non-living matter found in the earth's crust.
Inorganic compounds are defined as “non-living.”
Historically, it was believed
that an organic compound could not be synthesized
from an inorganic one. In 1828, German chemist
Friedrich Wohler proved that belief to be false
by synthesizing urea, an organic animal product,
from an inexpensive and readily-available inorganic
chemical. The term “organic” no
longer translates to “natural, of plant or animal
origin and non-synthetic.” In fact, it becomes
further confused as regards safety and toxicity.
Organic does not necessarily
equal less toxic or safe to use. Nicotine sulfate,
an organic insecticide, is more than three times
as toxic as Chlorpyrifos (Durban®), an inorganic
insecticide. It becomes imperative to rely on the
LD50 rating when questioning toxicity.
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In general, natural
cleaners are derived from renewable plant materials
rather than petrochemicals and are inherently more
friendly to the environment and aquatic and animal
life. However, terms such as “all natural,” “eco-friendly,” “non-toxic,” “biodegradable” or “environmentally
safe” are not regulated. Until actual standards
are instigated, such terms may not reflect the
true nature of the product.
In addition, some products
derived from “natural” compounds
are not safe to use. Vinegar, for example, is edible
when in weak dilution. It is in actuality acetic
acid in its pure form, which is poisonous and corrosive.
Once again, “natural” does not necessarily equal
less toxic or safe to use.
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D'Limonene
or terpenes, substances used in citrus cleaners,
are derived from orange peels and/or pine bark.
Because they are plant-based, they are advertised
as “green” or “natural” and assumed
to be safe. Consider this quote from the Environmental
Protection Agency's website.
“Some salesmen [of citrus cleaners] are quick
to point out that terpenes are ‘generally recognized
as safe' by the FDA and that they are found in
a myriad of products, from food additives to toothpaste.
Unfortunately, toothpaste is not often used for
industrial cleaning. Yes, terpenes are safer to
use than many solvents, but to compare a terpene
food additive to a terpene paint stripper is not
only misleading, it is reckless. Terpene cleaners
are mildly neurotoxic. They are known to cause
respiratory distress and/or irritation and that ‘pleasant
citrus fragrance' can very quickly become nauseating.
There is a controversy about the carcinogenicity
of D'Limonene.” Terpenes are also flammable and
can be caustic to the skin.
A recent study on the effects
of terpene and D-limonene on indoor air pollution
(T. Wainman, J/ Zhang, C. J. Weschler, 2000. “Environmental Health Perspectives”)
shows “... strong evidence that the interaction
of ozone and a seemingly innocuous cleaner can
generate enough particulates indoors to approach
concentrations that have triggered adverse health
effects.”
Both alternative and national
brand companies use these ingredients in their
products. Some companies are mixing a natural ingredient,
or sometimes only an orange fragrance, with a questionable
ecotox product to give consumers the impression
that their product is safe. Consumers must protect
themselves by selecting products that are clearly
user safe and environmentally friendly.
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Because of the
multitude of possible ingredients and formulations,
and because everyone has different response
tendencies, 100% non-allergenic products may
be impossible to produce. Hypo-allergenic products
are formulated to minimize the likelihood of
an allergic response. By omitting additives
and harsh chemicals which are common agitators,
EarthWellTech's products have a decreased tendency
to provoke an allergic reaction and are, therefore,
hypo-allergenic.
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EarthWellTech's
biobased products are composed, in whole or
significant part, of biological or renewable
domestic agricultural materials such as soy,
corn, alfalfa, wheat, apple, oats, coconut and
combinations of other ingredients that fit the
ecotox profile of “environmentally safe and
nontoxic.” They meet or exceed all current Federal
safety regulations.
EarthWellTech, Inc. does not
use animal by-products or animal source ingredients
in any of its formulations.
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EarthWellTech has never used animals in testing
of any kind, whether single ingredients or formulations.
In addition, EarthWellTech does not partner with
any subcontractors or chemical fulfillment companies
with the intention to test our products on animals.
EarthWellTech, Inc. tests products
solely on the soils and surfaces for which they
are intended.
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EarthWellTech's
products are readily biodegradable, which means
that all of the ingredients in our formulas break
down into carbon dioxide, basic minerals and
water. Government guidelines state that breakdown
must be 60 – 70% within 28 days,
and EWT products comply with these guidelines.
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General
Product Answers
EarthWellTech,
Inc. produces a full line of cleaning products
for use in both commercial and residential applications:
• EarthWellTech™
Cleaners & Degreasers
• EarthWellTech™ Floor & Carpet Care
• EarthWellTech™
General Maintenance
For complete detailed information
regarding applications, usage methods and dilution
recommendations for each product, click on the
above product names to link to their specific information
pages.
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Cleaning product disclosure is not regulated,
and most companies do not list ingredients directly
on the label. It might appear that cleaning product
manufacturers have something to hide. More accurately,
manufacturers want to protect their formulas. Cleaning
products lack the usual protections provided by
copyrights or patents, so formulas are considered
proprietary trade secrets and are necessary to
exclusivity.
Any hazardous or toxic materials must be disclosed
on the Material Safety Data Sheet. It is interesting
to note that MSDS are required by law for industrial
use but not for consumer use, though most manufacturers
will provide an MSDS to consumers upon request.
EarthWellTech, Inc. does
not list specific ingredients for each product
on the label. EarthWellTech's labels do specify “
A safe and effective blend of environmentally
preferable and non-toxic ingredients. EarthWellTech™ solutions are:
non-hazardous • non-toxic • non-flammable • non-corrosive • non-fuming • non-caustic • readily biodegradable • and contain little or no VOCs. ” along with phrases which describe
actions particular to that product, such as “penetrants,” “soil
lifters,” “biodegradable rust inhibitors,” “anti-foam materials,” “free rinsing,” “drying
agents,” “softeners,” etc.
EarthWellTech guarantees that
its products are readily biodegradable, non-toxic,
non-fuming, non-flammable, non-corrosive, non-caustic
to skin, non-reactive and contain little or no
VOCs (which contribute to air pollution and smog).
EarthWellTech gladly offers MSDS voluntarily to
the workplace by regulation and to consumers upon
request.
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EarthWellTech's
consumer and commercial products are available
upon direct order from our home offices in Sarasota,
Florida by telephone, fax or mail. In addition,
customers are able to purchase through our Sales
Reps, Distributors, or private label partners
as well. Just call EarthWellTech, Inc, at (813)
379-7441 and we'll refer you to one of our SalesnReps
or Distributors.
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EarthWellTech's
powerful ready-to-use products are available
in a range of quantities, from a standard smaller
size of 16 or 32 ounces through a range of larger
sizes (55-gallon drums, totes) and beyond to
tanker-size quantity, if requested by a customer.
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