Laboratory Services
With over three decades of experience testing the performance of safer alternatives, the TURI Laboratory (TURI Lab) can help improve performance and reduce costs, while also avoiding unnecessary exposure to toxic chemicals. TURI has analytical, microbiology and wet labs, as well as years of experience with testing and demonstration, all to help companies find safer alternatives that work.
Testing Services
The TURI Laboratory is dedicated to reducing the amount of toxic chemicals used in cleaning. We test the performance of both industrial and janitorial cleaning products and equipment to encourage companies, institutions and product formulators to choose and develop safer substitutes.
Whether you’re a metal finishing company, product formulator, facility manager, or anyone looking for safer cleaning products and processes, the Lab can help.
Industrial Parts Cleaning
The TURI Lab helps manufacturers to identify and adopt safer alternatives to toxic chemicals for industrial parts cleaning.
Janitorial and Home Cleaning
The Lab also works with formulators and distributors of cleaning supplies, as well as commercial and community organizations interested in promoting a healthier environment through safer cleaning practices.
Sanitization and Disinfection
The Lab and the Department of Clinical Laboratory and Nutritional Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Lowell are working together to evaluate the effectiveness of sanitizing and disinfecting products and equipment, with a focus on newer, less toxic products. The goal of this collaboration is to promote the health and safety of the workforce and the general population, especially in critical settings, like medical facilities, schools, public buildings, and food service.
Testing Procedures & Certification
The TURI Laboratory uses standardized testing procedures for testing, such as those required for testing both industrial cleaning and janitorial cleaning products. We work with conditions existing at the site where toxics are used, such as substrates, soils, contaminants, and cleaning equipment, whether testing on site or in our Lab.
Validation testing
We offer performance validation testing for label certifications such as Green Seal® or government purchasing programs. The Lab also can identify an effective formulation to fully meet a green certification.
Lab Equipment and Processes
Safer alternatives are tested on site with the facility’s equipment and staff to make sure that the product and the process work well together.
With many different types of equipment, surfaces and methods available, the TURI Lab can help you find a safer solution that works for your specific situation.
Our analytical methods for measuring how a substance worked include fluorescence, spectrometry, contact angle goniometry and more. In addition, we have ultrasonic cleaning tanks, vapor degreasers and most recently we have added a Terg-O-Tometer.
Lab Testing
For cleaning products, the TURI Lab provides application specific selection, lab testing and field implementation based on client supplied information. Furthermore, we contract with equipment and chemical vendors in the cleaning industry to facilitate the development, formulation and validation of products.
In order to provide a systematic methodology for comparing the effectiveness and performance, the TURI Lab uses various standardized test procedures for the relevant industries.
Search or browse the CleanerSolutions database to review test and their results. To collaborate with the Lab on a switch to a safer cleaning practice, complete the Online Test Request Form.
Online Testing Form
Please complete the test request form below. After submitting your information, the lab specialist will contact you within a week. If you have any questions about the form or our testing methods, please contact Alicia McCarthy at [email protected] or at 1-978-934-3889.
To learn more about our current performance data on cleaners and processes, please visit the CleanerSolutions database.
Information in this survey may be available to the public. Please contact the laboratory if you wish to have this information remain confidential.
Tools and Databases
TURI developed tools to assist in evaluation safer alternatives:
- P2OASys: TURI developed the Pollution Prevention Options Assessment System (P2OASys) tool to help companies determine whether the toxics use reduction (TUR) options they are considering improve upon their existing process when looking at environmental, health and safety topics. By using P2OASys, unforeseen negative environmental, worker or public health impacts may be identified prior to adopting the proposed changes.
- CleanerSolutions: You can find a wealth of performance data in the CleanerSolutions database for both industrial and janitorial cleaners. Why re-create the wheel? Search here first to see if any of the 1,500 product TURI Lab trials for industrial parts and janitorial cleaning solutions might bring you closer to a solution. Some of what you will find in CleanerSolutions:
- TURI and third party tested products
- Vendor information in addition to product information
- Cleaning methods
- Comparison
- Testing studies and their results
- Safety evaluations
- Learn How to Use CleanerSolutions by Viewing these Short Tutorials
Resources and Information
The Lab provides information on select cleaning topics. These include:
- Dangers of Mixing Common Cleaning Products
- Household Cleaning DIY Recipes
- Trichloroethylene (TCE) Reduction
- Disinfection
Safely Clean & Disinfect
With decades of experience testing the performance of safer cleaning chemicals, TURI offers guidance on how to reduce viral exposures AND avoid unnecessary exposure to toxic chemicals.
Select Safer Disinfectants
TURI has identified disinfecting products on EPA’s List N that contain safer active ingredients such as hydrogen peroxide*, alcohol (isopropyl alcohol or ethanol), citric acid, and lactic acid, among others. Avoid products that contain bleach, phenols or quaternary ammonium compounds (“quats”).
Protect Health by Adhering to these Disinfecting Safety Measures
To help prevent the spread of viruses like SARS-CoV2 it is important to clean and disinfect hard surfaces such as countertops, faucet handles, doorknobs and anything else that is frequently touched. However, disinfectants that contain EPA-registered pesticides can cause health effects, including asthma (see TURI’s fact sheet). Follow these safety guidelines (appropriate for both consumers and businesses).
TURI Laboratory
The TURI Lab tests the performance of products for various applications and industries to encourage companies, institutions and product formulators choose and develop safer substitutes. Recognized for its excellence in finding safer alternatives to toxic industrial and janitorial cleaning products, TURI has decades of experience testing and demonstrating the effectiveness of safer alternatives for a range of industries and applications. Whether you’re a metal finishing company, product formulator, facility manager or any organization looking for safer products and processes, our Lab can help. Learn more below about these services.
Recognition
EPA’s Design for Environment, now Safer Choice, recognized the TURI Laboratory’s work by designating it as a “champion” in its Safer Detergents Initiative. Jason Marshall, Director of TURI’s Laboratory was awarded the 2022 Most Valuable Pollution Prevention (MVP2) award by the National Pollution Prevention Roundtable for decades of dedication in advancing the adoption of safer alternatives to toxic cleaning products.
UMass Lowell Students in the Lab
UMass Lowell students hired by the Toxics Use Reduction Institute Lab learn how to evaluate the performance of safer chemicals and devices used for cleaning and disinfecting in industrial, janitorial and household scenarios.
Help companies reduce their environmental impact and gain lab experience for your future career by working in the TURI Lab. For more information, contact Jason Marshall.