CM/Spotlight: Infection Control hypochlorite (chlorine bleach) is effec-tive against a variety of microorgan-isms, including bacteria, fungi and viruses. According to chlorine bleach label directions, surfaces must be pre-cleaned with an effective cleaning product before chlorine bleach is able to kill harmful germs. Chlorine bleach is known to react with chemicals like ammonia to create by-products and gases that are harmful to human and environmental health. Phenolics are still the preferred disin-fectant in some health care facilities and are used in areas like operating rooms where gross contamination of blood and bodily fluids exists. Some facility managers choose to not use phenolic-based disinfectants because of their toxic profile and aggressive characteristics on floor finishes. Quaternary ammonium chlorides are the widely preferred disinfectant choice of hospitals, medical care facil-ities, schools and office buildings. They provide effective disinfection and sanitizing and can be formulated with detergents to provide a one-step dis-infectant-cleaner. “Quats,” as they are commonly known, can be formulated into hospital-strength disinfectants, disinfectant-cleaners and food contact surface sanitizers. Before purchasing a disinfectant-cleaner, facility managers should make sure to ask the following questions to ensure they are using the appropriate disinfectant in their facility: Does the product label display an authentic Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registration number? ÏIn the United States, disinfectants and dis-infectant-cleaners must be reviewed and registered by the EPA before they can be offered for sale. The EPA assigns and issues a registra-tion number for each product that must be clearly displayed on every container of the product. Be sure to use EPA-registered dis-infectants and/or disinfectant-cleaners that display an authentic EPA Registration Number and an EPA Establishment Number on the label of the product. Are the active ingredients listed on the product label? Ask your manufacturer and/or distributor to provide efficacy data. This should include a list of the active ingredients and pathogenic microorgan-isms the product effectively kills and the dilution ratios displayed on the label. Is the product safe for daily use by housekeepers and custodians? The product label should clearly identify both the appropriate applications and safe-ty procedures to be followed when using the product. A guiding principle used by many health, safety and facility managers is to select a product with the lowest toxicity without sac-rificing your local infection prevention and control objectives. Will the product harm or damage sur-faces? Chlorine bleach and some phenolic disin-fectants can discolor or damage floor sur-faces and coatings. Carpets, entrance matting and clothing are just a few of the fibers and materials that can be harmed when contacted by chlorine bleach solutions. It is a good practice to test disinfectants and/or cleaners in an inconspicuous area on all the surfaces before you select it for use in your facility. What is the dilution ratio of the product being considered? Knowing and understanding the dilution ratio of the product you are considering is important. When a concentrated product is select-ed, you need to ensure there is an accurate and reliable way to dilute the product onsite with water. Is the product a disinfectant, a one-step disinfectant-cleaner or a sanitizer? Disinfectants require the removal of soils from a surface before they are effective. Disinfectant-cleaners combine a cleaning agent with the disinfectant into a one-step product. The container label will specify if the product is a disinfectant, a disinfectant-cleaner or a sanitizer. Read the label carefully and make cer-tain the product meets your infection pre-vention practices and objectives. Is the product effective in hard water? The germ killing properties of some disin-fectants can be inactivated by hard water, while others remain effective. It is important to know if the tap water in your facility is hard and, if so, to then make certain the product you select works in hard water. What is the end-use cost of the product? Disinfectants packaged in convenient, ready-to-use containers are more expen-sive than disinfectants that are concentrat-ed and designed to be diluted with tap water in your facility. Facility managers should consider the lifecycle cost of a product. This not only includes the acquisition price of the product, but the costs for use, handling and disposal of products over time. This will help facility managers make informed decisions about which products can address the three key areas of con-cern: Keeping germs at bay with effective products, doing more with less and main-taining a more sustainable building. By understanding cleaning and disinfect-ing basics, facility managers can standard-ize and simplify their cleaning, disinfecting and training processes to prevent the spread of germs that cause infection. They will not only be better equipped with the knowledge they need to manage their facilities, but also empowered to reduce costs. In working more collaboratively with sup-pliers, facility managers can ensure they are buying the best products for the right situation. CM Roger McFadden is senior scientist for Staples Advantage, the business-to-business division of Staples Inc. Through its Facility Solutions busi-ness, Staples Advantage offers a wide assortment of cleaning and disinfecting supplies combined with a consultative approach for customized cleaning solutions. Staples cleaning supplies include its exclusive environmentally preferable cleaners to promote worker safety, health and wellness. Roger has served as a consulting chemist and product engineer for several chemical manufacturing companies in both the U.S. and Canada. He is a charter member of the Green Chemistry Commerce Council (GC3), sits on the California Green Ribbon Science Panel and cur-rently chairs a committee to advance Green Chemistry and the EPA Design for the Environment (DfE) Formulator Initiatives. 18 CM/Cleaning & Maintenance Management ® • January 2011
CMM – Archives Jan 2011: 18
