PHILADELPHIA — According to an independent study conducted by scientists at the University of Westminster in London, using paper towels to dry your hands is far more hygienic than using electric hand dryers, according to a press release.
The study measured the number of bacteria on subjects’ hands before washing and after drying them using three different methods — paper towels, a traditional warm air dyer and a new high-speed jet air dryer, the release stated.
Keith Redway, a senior academic in the department of biomedical sciences at the University of Westminster, said: "The results of all parts of this study suggest that the use of warm air dryers and jet air dryers should be carefully considered in locations where hygiene is of paramount importance, such as hospitals, clinics, schools, nurseries, care homes, kitchens and other food preparation areas. In addition, paper hand towel use is highly beneficial for improved hygiene in any other facilities open to the public, such as factories, offices, bars and restaurants."
The study, which is available for review at www.westminster.ac.uk/~redwayk, found that paper towel drying reduced the average number of bacteria on the finger pads by up to 76 percent and on the palms by up to 77 percent. By comparison, electric hand dryers caused bacteria counts to increase as much as 254 percent in some cases, the release noted.
Use of a traditional warm-air hand dryer spread micro-organisms up to 0.25 meters from the dryer while the jet air dryer, which blows air out of the unit at claimed speeds of 400 mph, was capable of blowing micro-organisms from the hands and the unit and potentially contaminating other washroom users and the washroom environment up to 2 meters away, the release added.
According to the release, paper towels showed no significant spread of micro-organisms.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Three-second rule unhealthy, until now
CULVER CITY, CA — A national survey of 1,000 adults, conducted by Kelton Research, found that 60 percent of Americans admit to eating food that has fallen on the floor, according to Business Wire.
Most are unaware that a typical carpet has up to 4,000 times more bacteria and germs than a toilet seat, even after it has been vacuumed, the story stated.
David Oreck, founder of the Oreck Corporation, said: "Antibacterial soap and bleach are common tools to kill germs in the home, but people often overlook what’s right beneath their feet. Now there’s a solution that allows people to clean and kill germs without any extra time, effort or expense."
Independent tests from the University of Arizona found the following number of bacteria particles on one-square-inch samples:
· Toilet seat: 49
· Kitchen counter: 1,686
· Kitchen tile: 2,546
· Bathroom floor: 18,025
· Carpet: 200,000 plus, the story noted.
According to the story, Oreck has become the first vacuum manufacturer to use ultraviolet light to clean and kill germs, bacteria, viruses, allergens and mold.
Independent tests prove this UV-C light kills more than 99 percent of many common germs it comes in contact with, the story added.
Most are unaware that a typical carpet has up to 4,000 times more bacteria and germs than a toilet seat, even after it has been vacuumed, the story stated.
David Oreck, founder of the Oreck Corporation, said: "Antibacterial soap and bleach are common tools to kill germs in the home, but people often overlook what’s right beneath their feet. Now there’s a solution that allows people to clean and kill germs without any extra time, effort or expense."
Independent tests from the University of Arizona found the following number of bacteria particles on one-square-inch samples:
· Toilet seat: 49
· Kitchen counter: 1,686
· Kitchen tile: 2,546
· Bathroom floor: 18,025
· Carpet: 200,000 plus, the story noted.
According to the story, Oreck has become the first vacuum manufacturer to use ultraviolet light to clean and kill germs, bacteria, viruses, allergens and mold.
Independent tests prove this UV-C light kills more than 99 percent of many common germs it comes in contact with, the story added.
Facilities manager arrested for arson and bomb scare
SCHENECTADY, NY — A 36-year veteran facilities manager for Mont Pleasant Middle School has been arrested and put on paid administrative leave for a 2001 arson case and a recent bomb scare, according to WRGB-TV and TWEAN-TV.
Steven Raucci is accused of setting an explosive device at a house in 2001. Police searched both the home and office of Raucci and State Police found a small explosive device at Raucci's office at the school; it was removed by the State Police Bomb Disposal Unit, the story stated.
Kristen Kwiatkowski, who has a son that attends the school, said: "I thought schools were supposed to be safe. I thought my son was safe, now I question that. Whether the children were a target or not, he endangered every single one of them by bringing that bomb into the school."
Superintendent Eric Ely said that until Friday, he was unaware of the investigation into Raucci and that he only has one complaint in his 36-year-old personnel file, the story noted.
A letter was sent home to parents explaining the incident, the story added.
According to police, additional charges are possible as they continue to investigate other incidents of vandalism, intimidation and attempted use of bombs throughout the Capital Region.
Steven Raucci is accused of setting an explosive device at a house in 2001. Police searched both the home and office of Raucci and State Police found a small explosive device at Raucci's office at the school; it was removed by the State Police Bomb Disposal Unit, the story stated.
Kristen Kwiatkowski, who has a son that attends the school, said: "I thought schools were supposed to be safe. I thought my son was safe, now I question that. Whether the children were a target or not, he endangered every single one of them by bringing that bomb into the school."
Superintendent Eric Ely said that until Friday, he was unaware of the investigation into Raucci and that he only has one complaint in his 36-year-old personnel file, the story noted.
A letter was sent home to parents explaining the incident, the story added.
According to police, additional charges are possible as they continue to investigate other incidents of vandalism, intimidation and attempted use of bombs throughout the Capital Region.
Out sick, time to update
I've been out sick with Bronchitis, but now I'm back, not %100 but better. So now it's time to update things that have happened in Facilities over the last few weeks.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Norovirus sickens some at Sparks Middle School
SPARKS, NV — More than 40 students and staff at Sparks Middle School have fallen ill from what is thought to be an outbreak of norovirus, a highly contagious gastrointestinal virus whose eradication requires extensive cleaning of surfaces, according to KRNV-TV.
Extra cleaning crews have been assigned to patrol the school with buckets of bleach and water, wiping down common, high-touch surfaces in hallways, bathrooms, classrooms and the library in an effort to curb the spread of the virus, the story stated.
Principal Andrew Yoxsimer said: "We just need to remind parents that if their children have symptoms, they need to stay home from school for 72 hours after symptoms disappear. Some students who went home sick yesterday came back to school today. We had to send them back home and exclude them from school for 72 hours."
If parents refuse take their children out of class, the virus will continue to circulate, and because the virus constantly mutates, people can catch it repeatedly, the story noted.
The Washoe County Health Department is still awaiting confirmation that this is the norovirus, but a spokeswoman says it is "probable" that the illnesses are the result of that strain, the story added.
Extra cleaning crews have been assigned to patrol the school with buckets of bleach and water, wiping down common, high-touch surfaces in hallways, bathrooms, classrooms and the library in an effort to curb the spread of the virus, the story stated.
Principal Andrew Yoxsimer said: "We just need to remind parents that if their children have symptoms, they need to stay home from school for 72 hours after symptoms disappear. Some students who went home sick yesterday came back to school today. We had to send them back home and exclude them from school for 72 hours."
If parents refuse take their children out of class, the virus will continue to circulate, and because the virus constantly mutates, people can catch it repeatedly, the story noted.
The Washoe County Health Department is still awaiting confirmation that this is the norovirus, but a spokeswoman says it is "probable" that the illnesses are the result of that strain, the story added.
Alleged Attack Puts Newbury College On High Alert
BROOKLINE, MA — A cleaning woman at Newbury College was attacked yesterday by an unknown assailant, according to WBZ-TV.
The unnamed woman, a contract cleaner for the college, was attacked from behind while she was using a power sprayer in the showers on the second floor of Weltman Hall around 1:30 p.m., the story stated.
Lieutenant Philip Harrington said: "She got into a position where she was able to fight the guy off, screaming and yelling, and that’s when the guy fled. He did grab her, but she was able to fight him off."
Vice President of Student Affairs Paul N. Martin sent an e-mail to alert students and staff making them aware of the incident and to ensure that everyone is aware of the possible danger and that they remain vigilant, the story noted.
The attacker is described as having dark skin and was wearing a dark hat and white pants, the story added.
The unnamed woman, a contract cleaner for the college, was attacked from behind while she was using a power sprayer in the showers on the second floor of Weltman Hall around 1:30 p.m., the story stated.
Lieutenant Philip Harrington said: "She got into a position where she was able to fight the guy off, screaming and yelling, and that’s when the guy fled. He did grab her, but she was able to fight him off."
Vice President of Student Affairs Paul N. Martin sent an e-mail to alert students and staff making them aware of the incident and to ensure that everyone is aware of the possible danger and that they remain vigilant, the story noted.
The attacker is described as having dark skin and was wearing a dark hat and white pants, the story added.
Sustainability initiatives at Southwestern University
GEORGETOWN, TX — Southwestern University President Jake Schrum signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment which formally commits campuses to eliminate their greenhouse gas emissions over time and educate students about climate neutrality, according to Community Impact.
Since 2006, more than 600 colleges and universities in all 50 states have signed the agreement; Southwestern becomes the 18th in Texas to sign it, the story stated.
Schrum said: "Colleges and universities like Southwestern who believe in their core values have an obligation to be models for their students' support for sustainability, which is absolutely crucial to saving our planet."
Some of the sustainability initiatives enacted at Southwestern include making recycling bins available in all campus offices, phasing in the use of green cleaning products, going trayless in dining halls and taking various steps to immediately reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the story noted.
The university is currently working with the City of Georgetown on the possibility of buying electricity generated from wind power, the story added.
Since 2006, more than 600 colleges and universities in all 50 states have signed the agreement; Southwestern becomes the 18th in Texas to sign it, the story stated.
Schrum said: "Colleges and universities like Southwestern who believe in their core values have an obligation to be models for their students' support for sustainability, which is absolutely crucial to saving our planet."
Some of the sustainability initiatives enacted at Southwestern include making recycling bins available in all campus offices, phasing in the use of green cleaning products, going trayless in dining halls and taking various steps to immediately reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the story noted.
The university is currently working with the City of Georgetown on the possibility of buying electricity generated from wind power, the story added.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)