fact-based management Cleanliness measurement: Updated ATP study By: Vince Elliott I In July 2008, I explored the idea of scientif-ic measurement of cleanliness through a creatinine measurement protocol (urine concentration) and concluded that it was a very limited tool. The focus of that article was restroom cleanliness and contamination levels, based on urine residue (creatinine sampling). Due to the limitations of that measure-ment protocol, I suggested that a more comprehensive testing strategy could be measures of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). This article examines a broader cleanli-ness study using the ATP testing model suggested in that article. What is ATP? ATP is present in all organic material and is the universal unit of energy used in all living cells. ATP is produced and/or broken down through metabolic processes in all living systems. Processes, such as photosynthesis in plants, muscle contraction in humans, res-piration in fungi and fermentation in yeast, are all driven by ATP. Therefore, most foods and microbial cells will contain some level of naturally occurring ATP. This testing protocol measures biolumi-nescence, or Reflective Light Units (RLU), to detect residual ATP as an indicator of surface cleanliness. The presence of ATP on a surface indi-cates the presence of contamination, including food residue, allergens and/or bacteria. Ineffective cleaning processes are the pri-mary reason for high levels of ATP. As part of this study, we tested 32 differ-ent types of space, including restrooms highlighted in our previous article. On the basis of the ATP findings, there were four other types of space with higher contamination levels than restrooms. These areas, in order, were: Baggage claims, elevator lobbies, building entrances, libraries, and restrooms. All of these areas have higher than nor-mal traffic and high-touch space. While we often see complaints more related to restrooms, it is clear that, based on the typical levels of contamination, other types of space ought to have an equal or greater priority for the cleaning program. These ATP findings were also compared to the level of visible soiling found in these same rooms to test if there was a connec-tion between ATP levels and visible soil. It turns out there is only a loose connec-tion between these two data sets. For example, libraries, which had a very high ATP rating, scored a respectable 85 percent cleanliness level based on visible soiling. Baggage claim areas scored an 87 percent cleanliness level while testing very high for ATP. In other cases, break rooms, general offices, lounges and stairways contained unacceptably high levels of visible soiling while posting low levels of ATP. Clearly, an effective cleaning program needs to respond to both contamination and visible soiling conditions. and surfaces were tested during our study. Some have suggested that an ATP level of 30 RLU or less on food preparation sur-faces is an acceptable standard. In our study, 71 percent of the items and surfaces measured would fail to meet that goal. And, 47 percent of all items and surfaces tested had ATP levels over 100 RLU. The highest ATP levels (500 RLU and above) were found on just five surfaces: Area rugs, baseboards, ceilings, hard sur-face floors, and food counters. Continuing the journey On this journey of measuring cleanli-ness in our facilities, we have utilized vis-ible attributes, creatinine concentrations and now ATP (adenosine triphosphate) testing. Certainly, there is more to be done in cre-ating an integrated cleaning measurement system. I believe we are ready for a better way to measure cleaning efficacy and a new group of professionals is addressing the issue. The Integrated Cleaning and Measurement™ (ICM) group has been formed. This authoritative group of professionals will focus on the singular issue of greater cleaning effectiveness through integrated measurement strategies. The ICM Symposium is having its sec-ond meeting this month in Las Vegas. Organizers include the Housekeeping Channel (allen@housekeepingchannel. com) and the IEHA ([email protected]). I’ll be there because that’s where real measurement alternatives will be dis-CM cussed by real professionals. Vincent F. Elliott is the founder, president and CEO of Elliott Affiliates, Ltd. of Hunt Valley, MD, www.ealtd.com. He is widely recognized as the leading authority in the design and utilization of best practice performance-driven techniques for janitorial outsourcing and ongoing management. Time of day and items cleaned We further cross analyzed ATP levels between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. The highest levels of ATP (over 1000 RLU) occurred at 9:40 a.m., 10:56 a.m. and 12:19 p.m.; with the highest levels occur-ring between 8:00 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. Clearly, the need for a day shift opera-tion could be beneficial. All-in-all, 75 different classes of items The ATP study: Types of space We conducted a cross-industry study in about 8,000,000 square feet of multi-build-ing facilities, including an international air-port, a leading university and a national health research complex. 46 CM/Cleaning & Maintenance Management ® • February 2009
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