Renewable Cleaning Technology For Schools create a comprehensive infection control program. Industry manufacturers have introduced these renewable cleaning devices for sur-face cleaning and hygiene in the past few years. Although the processes are different, they all use water as the basis for the technology. Some innovations are possible because of advances in electrical engineering, soft-ware and solid-state circuitry. Although these technologies are not appropriate for all cleaning tasks, they can successfully be used as part of a Process Cleaning for Healthy Schools (PCHS) pro-gram. Antimicrobial devices must comply with federal standards for advertising, labeling and testing efficacy. The testing must be performed by an independent third-party organization verify-ing kill claims. Rather than an EPA Registration Number, as found on chemical-based germicidal products, verified antimicrobial devices receive an EPA Establishment Number. A chemical-related health warning label is not required on devices using only water. along with a wet/dry vacuum system. The loosened and suspended soil and microbes are immediately removed by the vacuum. Independent third-party testing showed these devices remove greater than 99.9 percent of the targeted microbes — to a sanitizing level — from the surface. Versatility allows for deep cleaning of rest-rooms, kitchens, hallways, carpeted areas, stairwells, classrooms, gyms and fitness areas — both on floors and above floors. High productivity and rapid drying — through vacuuming or, sometimes, blowing — are traits of this system. ■ Steam vapor technology In newer systems, a water treatment module modifies the structure of the min-erals in tap water before the water passes through a boiler, which converts it to super-heated steam that, combined with an insu-lated hose and application tools, carries energized mineral crystals to the surface being cleaned. These crystals disrupt the cell mem-branes of microbes, allowing the steam to quickly destroy them, while the process breaks the bonds between the soils and the surface to facilitate rapid cleaning and dry-ing with very little water consumption. Testing by independent third-party labo-ratories demonstrates a three to five second kill time — to a disinfection level — for a broad range of microorganisms using a thermal-accelerated nano crystal sanitation (TANCS) process. ■ Simplification of cleaning protocols Water-only devices can be used for cleaning, sanitizing and, with steam vapor, disinfecting tasks; the contact time needed to inactivate microbes is often significantly shorter than conventional methods. No rinsing is required because there is very little residue remaining on surfaces. ■ Ease of use The devices are ergonomically designed and simple to use. ■ Reduced cost of recordkeeping Time spent managing material safety data sheets (MSDS) and hazardous communi-cation (HazCom) programs is eliminated because the devices do not require MSDS. ■ Environmentally sustainable profile Floor machines using renewable technol-ogy require less water; handheld devices, when compared to chemical cleaners, reduce energy consumption and pollution between 97 percent and 100 percent across seven key indicators of environmental sus-tainability, according to the Center for Clean Products at the University of Tennessee. ■ Costs Although the up-front cost of the devices may seem higher than that for chemicals, they can rapidly pay for themselves, as demonstrated by a pilot program at the Georgia Institute of Technology. The program, using handheld activated-water devices, produced savings in chemi-cal purchases that paid for the cost of purchasing the devices during the first six months of operation. As another example of fiscal effective-ness, one company providing services to 20 charter schools in the Miami/Dade County area has saved $72,000 to $80,000 a year through renewable or sustainable clean-ing, using better equipment and cleaning processes and reducing chemical usage by 99 percent. As school budgets become tighter, cut-ting maintenance department staff and funding is becoming prevalent. Schools should strive to clean smarter, using the advanced technology and pro-cesses that are now available, to deliver high-quality cleaning with health benefits. Renewable cleaning as part of a Process Cleaning for Healthy Schools program can be an important part of a leaner, more effec-tive and hygienic cleaning program. CM The Technologies ■ Activated water A water cell applies a slight electrical charge to tap water. The charged water passes through an ion exchange membrane, creating an oxy-gen-rich mixture of positively-charged and negatively-charged nanobubbles. The ionized water now attracts dirt some-what like a magnet and lifts it from surfaces, enabling it to be wiped away. The low-level electrical field created destroys microbes through a process called electroporation. Independent third-party testing from the Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI) Surface Solutions Laboratory found this technology removes and/or kills more than 99.9 percent of harmful bacteria — reach-ing a sanitizing level — using a six-second continuous spray and a spray-and-wipe process. ■ Spray-and-vacuum or high-flow fluid extraction units Pressurized water agitates surface soil, as does a squeegee, which aids in removal Benefits Of Using Renewable Cleaning Technology ■ Improved health and safety Replacing harsh cleaning chemicals with water reduces the chances of accidental injuries. A review of workers’ compensation data from the state of Washington found that six out of 100 janitors are injured by chemicals every year; the most common injuries are serious burns to the eyes or skin. ■ Reduced purchase, storage an disposal costs Facilities using these renewable tech-nologies have realized a significant sav-ings in their budgets, not including the costs associated with storage or hazardous waste disposal. 22 CM/Cleaning & Maintenance Management ® • August 2011
CMM – Archives Aug 2011: 22
