The Cleaning for Asthma-Safe Schools (CLASS) program is a joint partnership between the Work-Related Asthma Prevention Program in the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Green Schools Initiative.  CLASS helps California schools adopt safer cleaning methods to protect worker and student health.

This project is generously funded by California Breathing, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and the California Endowment.

CLASS Minigrants

Click on the following link for information about 2011 CLASS Mini-Grants.  Applications are due March 11, 2011.

Project Description

CLASS works with school districts in California to pilot green cleaning products and methods. Districts were chosen via a competitive application process. They were selected for their high asthma rates, diversity of students, regional spread, variety of district size, and capacity to benefit from and put into practice the CLASS training program. CLASS is pleased to be working with the following school sites:

•    Alameda Unified School District
•   California Conservation Corps John Muir Charter School (CCC) selected three of their sites: Placer, San Luis Obispo, Camarillo
•    Long Beach Unified School District
•   Manteca Unified School District

Participants are learning about methods for purchasing safer cleaning products, and receive help to reduce exposures to harmful chemicals among cleaning staff, school personnel, and students. They selected schools and a team of custodians to participate in testing and evaluating safer cleaning products. For participating in the program, they will receive various forms of recognition for the district’s successes, as well as a small stipend to support healthier cleaning practices in schools. CLASS also offers limited technical assistance to implement asthma-safe cleaning to schools statewide, including informational webinars.

Rationale for Project

Statewide data show that work-related asthma associated with cleaning products is an important problem among school staff, including custodians and teachers. More than 1 million children in California suffer from asthma, and exposure to chemicals in cleaning products can cause or trigger asthma.

Contact Information and About Us

To learn more about the program or for technical assistance, send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The Work-Related Asthma Prevention Program is a program in the California Department of Public Health devoted to improving worker health and safety through prevention activities. Green Schools Initiative is a non-profit organization that works to improve the environmental health and sustainability of K-12 schools across California.

Cleaning Products and Work-Related Asthma Fact Sheet