Traditional Cleaning Methods Ineffective
In a study at a Cleveland, OH Veterans Administration hospital, cleaning methods the housekeeping staff were using prior to an educational intervention were only successful in eliminating surface contamination by serious human pathogens about 23-25% of the time.
Dr. Paul Darby, MD, PhD, MPH, CIME, FACOEM
by Restoration Industry Association
Based on concerns regarding the transmission of and clean up from the H1N1 (swine) influenza virus, the Restoration Industry Association (RIA) provides these recommendations for cleaning and restoration professionals, as well as building services personnel called in for remediation following an outbreak.
UV lamps have been used to inactivate microorganisms for many years. Much of the early work was directed at the control of very infectious microorganisms (particularly Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis), often in medical facilities. Wavelengths within the short wave, or C band of UV light (UV-C or UVC), were found to be the most effective germicidal light wavelength. UVC is generated by electrical discharge through low-pressure mercury vapor enclosed in a glass tube that transmits UVC (primary wavelength of 253.7 nm) light. UVC at 253.7 nm is also referred to as UVG to indicate that it is germicidal. UVC has been shown to inactivate viruses, mycoplasma, bacteria, and fungi, whether suspended in air or deposited on surfaces.
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Topics: Schools | Healthcare | Restaurants | Commercial Buildings | Cleaning Measurement | IEQ Measurement | HealthSurgical masks and surgical N95 respirators are disposable devices that cover the mouth and nose during medical procedures. They help protect the caregiver and patient against microorganisms, body fluids, and small particles in the air.
Surgical masks and surgical N95 respirators are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). FDA evaluates the performance of these devices in areas including fluid resistance and filtration efficiency to ensure that they are at least as safe and effective as similar devices already on the market. FDA encourages manufacturers to follow specific performance standards for their masks, and FDA also requires that these products be produced using good manufacturing practices.
Respirators may also be certified by NIOSH (the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) in accordance with regulations in 42 CFR part 84. When a mask is both cleared by FDA as a surgical mask and certified by NIOSH as an N95 respirator mask, FDA calls it a "surgical N95 respirator."
Note: Surgical N95 respirators are often recommended for those dealing with swine flu contagion.
0 CommentsTopics: Schools | Healthcare | Restaurants | Commercial Buildings | Cleaning Measurement | IEQ Measurement | HealthBioluminescent ATP Assay
ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is the chemical compound in which energy is stored in all living cells. In the ATP-luminometric test the firefly enzyme (luciferase) in the presence of its substrate, luciferin, oxygen and magnesium ions catalyzes conversion of chemical energy of ATP into light through oxidation-reduction reaction. The quantity of light generated is directly proportional to the amount of ATP present, thus, the light units can be used to estimate the biomass of cells in a sample. With state of the art equipment, and highly purified reagents, it is possible to detect amounts of ATP corresponding to approximately 100 bacterial cells, although in practice it is usually nearer to 103-104. Quantification of intracellular microbial ATP can be conveniently accomplished using rapid and simplified extraction and assay procedures. The light emitted by this process can be monitored by a variety of luminometers. Supplying companies provide customers with test kits with all necessary reagents. The reagents are injected into the instruments and readout is reported in relative light units (RLUs). By knowing the number of microorganisms responsible for generating known RLUs, one can estimate the number of microorganisms in the (food) sample. The ATP method has been used to evaluate microbial loads in e.g. meat, milk, water, fruit juice samples in a winery and a brewery, and sweeteners and syrups (FUNG, 1997). Much interest has been developed also in using ATP estimation not for total viable cell counts but as a sanitation check including also the verification of somatic cells presence on a surface.
This version of the ATP bioluminescence method based on detecting all ATP on a surface provides an indication of cleanliness detecting also ATP of somatic origin that the traditional plate count method does not detect, instead of only of microbial origin (CHEN, 2000; ILLSLEY et al., 2000; QUINN et al., 2002; PAEZ et al., 2003). Samples for assessing surface hygiene by this method can be obtained by swabbing the surface, or by taking aliquots of the rinse water (KISS et al., 1999). Reading of the bio-luminometers may be assessed as "acceptable" or "unacceptable". The procedure can be easily performed by almost anyone, with little training. The preparation and measuring time takes only several minutes. Portable luminometer reading units have test swabs with pre-packaged reagents. The user swabs the surface to be tested, activates the swab by placing it into the solution of reagents then inserts it into the chamber of the luminometer to obtain the measurement.
0 CommentsTopics: Schools | Healthcare | Restaurants | Commercial Buildings | Cleaning Measurement | IEQ Measurement | Health
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