The Janitors' Closet

School district reduces particulate matter

Here's an article on the advantages of HEPA filtered backpack vacuums.  In particular, it deals with the disadvantages of using treated dust mops on hard surface floors, particularly floors with a finish.  Besides the gummy debris that dust mops leave in corners and along edges, the dust mop treatment (and one really needs use treatment on the dust-mop, to better contain the dust) impacts the floor finish, generally yellowing it, leading to more frequent stripping and refinishing - costly in time, environmental impact and, well, cost.

The article also touches on the health impacts of leaving fine particles behind (including allergens and bacteria), a result of both dust-mopping and vacuuming with a less-than-HEPA filter on the vacuum.

We go a step further.  Figuring that we likely cannot improve what we cannot measure, we regularly measure the dust (airborne particle count) carried in the air within our clients' facilities.  In general, as compared to standard unfiltered vacuums, dust-mops and feather dusters, we find we can achieve about a 50% reduction of daytime airborne particles, in the size range of most allergens.  So our client inhales less gunk.

Not a bad deal for a small investment in vacuum filters.

Fight the flu

Ran across a good summary from Diversey on how to protect from the flu, in Building Services Management's e-newsletter.

"People already infected with influenza can transmit the disease to others starting a day before the infected person shows symptoms and continuing for approximately 7 days after they show symptoms. Influenza viruses are spread through droplets that carry the virus as a result of a cough or sneeze. The virus can live on surfaces for up to several days. A single sneeze can release 40,000 droplets, which can travel through the air and be inhaled or swallowed by others. Droplets can also settle on surfaces, where people can pick the virus up on their hands and by touching their mouth, nose, or eyes, become infected."

I particularly appreciate the stress placed in the above on the virus being able to live on surfaces for several days.  Many janitorial firms stress restroom disinfection (or at least "cleaning"); somewhat fewer use effective procedures, and chemicals, to sanitize "touchpoints", the door jambs, light switches and phone hand sets that folks touch all day long.  And an office full of people, some contagious, is a good place to get sick:

"If you get influenza, your doctor may prescribe antiviral drugs to reduce the severity of your illness. Commonly touched surfaces (door handles, light switches, elevator buttons, keyboards, phone, etc.) should be disinfected regularly or when visibly soiled."  Comes close to taking the words out of my operations manual.  We sanitize touchpoints always, but really stress them during flu season. 

The summary also stresses Alpha HP, the hydrogen peroxide solution we use, together with microfiber wipes, on touchpoints, and Virex 256, our disinfectant of choice for restrooms and lunchrooms.  Finally, to cover all bases, it repeats what Mom used to stress:

"Get plenty of sleep, eat healthy, be physically active, manage stress, and drink plenty of fluids."  Chicken soup, as well.  And I like a good murder mystery.