letters and views An Industry-wide Call To Action To Fight H1N1 By: Mike Sawchuk, vice president and general manager for Enviro-Solutions Although we are certainly hearing a lot about H1N1, or swine flu, in our industry, including what chemicals and products are needed to fight the disease, we are not hearing much about how and when to use these products. For our industry to make a significant dif-ference and help minimize the potential impact of the swine flu epidemic, we need a successful integration of four compo-nents: What cleaning chemicals, tools and equipment to use How to use them When to use them When to adjust how and when these products are used based on threat level changes. Most areas of the United States are now entering stage two and some areas are entering stage three of the epidemic. In reference to cleaning and disinfecting procedures, the infectious threat level should define the products, procedures and frequencies used. Stage Two Stage two is when a contagious disease or virus is present in a community or area, but not in a specific building. Neutral and light-duty all-purpose clean-ers should be replaced with products that have the required cleaning efficacy, pH, parts per million (PPM) and the necessary stated pathogen kill claims. There should also be an increased focus Floors are reservoirs for bacteria and disease-causing germs. Make sure these areas are fre-quently cleaned to mitigate risk. Circle Product Information no. 222 on page 32 6 CM/Cleaning & Maintenance Management ® • October 2009 Photo courtesy of JohnsonDiversey
CMM – Archives Oct 2009: 6
