science in cleaning What does measurement mean to you? By: Dr. Jay Glasel C Dr. Glasel is the managing member and founder of Global Scientific Consulting LLC. He is also a Professor Emeritus in the Department of Microbial, Molecular and Structural Biology at the University of Connecticut Medical/Dental School in Farmington, CT. Co-editor and an author for the Academic Press textbook Introduction to Biophysical Methods for Protein and Nucleic Acid Research , Dr. Glasel’s scientific research has been in the fields of structural biochemistry, molecular immunology, pharmacology and cell biology. Cleaning processes consist of a number of manu-al and/or automatic steps involving the use of mechanical action, solvents and/or detergents. In practice, current cleaning processes are usu-ally based on historical methods that lack an inte-grated scientific approach. A scientific approach to cleaning should include advances in scientific knowledge of how contaminants stick to surfaces and what must be done to remove them. Lacking a scientific approach, the usual clean-ing processes are more time-consuming and expensive than they should be. By applying Integrated Cleaning and Measurement (ICM) principles to cleaning, opti-mized cleaning processes can be developed in a methodical and logical way. As a consequence, these optimized processes can meet the upcoming demand for better quali-ty, faster processes, cost reduction and the quest for a healthier environment. Limits of traditional thinking As a general process that has been practiced by humans for many millennia, traditional cleaning has depended on tools — for example, mechani-cal mopping — that have advanced insofar as the materials they are made from, but not in their basic use. In particular, the efficacy of cleaning has tradi-tionally been judged on whether the surfaces that have been cleaned “look clean” to the naked eye. Moreover, the cleaning methods that have tra-ditionally been used have not been based on the physics and chemistry of the contamination to be removed. for more info Visit www.cmmonline.com and type in search keyword: ICM . For more information on related products, visit www.cmmonline.com , select SUPPLIER SEARCH from the main navigation bar, and enter keywords: Cleaning consultants. . Photo courtesy of Rubbermaid Commerical Products. When cleaning professionals can measure their performance, the outcome is a healthier environment. 32 CM/Cleaning & Maintenance Management ® • February 2009
CMM – Archives Feb 2009: 32
