OAKLAND, CA — Clorox Commercial Solutions® Ultra Clorox® Germicidal Bleach is the first and only product to obtain U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registration for killing Clostridium difficle (C. diff) spores on hard, non-porous surfaces, according to a press release.
A study by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control (APIC) found that C. diff infection rates are 6.5 to 20 times higher than previous estimates and costs health care institutions $17.6 to $51.5 million each day, the release stated.
C. diff spores can persist in the environment for many months and are highly resistant to many disinfecting formulations, until now, the release noted.
Ultra Clorox Germicidal Bleach is registered for use in all 50 states to effectively kill C. diff spores, the release added.
For more information on Ultra Clorox Germicidal Bleach, visit www.cloroxprofessional.com/cdiff.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Many outraged over janitors' overtime
WATERBURY, CT — Many members of the Waterbury Board of Education are outraged and curious about how some Waterbury Public Schools' custodians more than doubled their salaries by putting in upwards of 2,000 hours of overtime last year, according to the Republican-American.
Thirty-two custodial and maintenance staff put in for more than 500 hours of overtime in the past year, the story stated.
According to records released by the school, John Laforme, a custodial supervisor at Rotella Interdistrict Magnet School, made $82,161.04 last year, of which $51,296.48 was paid for 2,138 hours of overtime.
Board member Paul D'Angelo said: "We have serious management shortcomings within the department and people seem to be willing to turn a blind eye to it."
Board members responded to the "outrageous and disgraceful" clocking of overtime by asking for details of any overtime requests of more than 400 hours per year, the story noted.
Some see the high number of overtime hours as normal and necessary because many of the schools are open more than 12 hours a day and the district was short 15 custodians last year, the story added.
Thirty-two custodial and maintenance staff put in for more than 500 hours of overtime in the past year, the story stated.
According to records released by the school, John Laforme, a custodial supervisor at Rotella Interdistrict Magnet School, made $82,161.04 last year, of which $51,296.48 was paid for 2,138 hours of overtime.
Board member Paul D'Angelo said: "We have serious management shortcomings within the department and people seem to be willing to turn a blind eye to it."
Board members responded to the "outrageous and disgraceful" clocking of overtime by asking for details of any overtime requests of more than 400 hours per year, the story noted.
Some see the high number of overtime hours as normal and necessary because many of the schools are open more than 12 hours a day and the district was short 15 custodians last year, the story added.
Green claims for disinfectants and sanitizers
WASHINGTON — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officials voiced interest in recommending the adoption of a policy that allows suppliers to make valid green claims for disinfectants and sanitizers, according to a press release.
It is also possible that a policy will be established that would allow the use of ecolabels in conjunction with the marketing of hard surface antimicrobial products in cooperation with the EPA's Design for the Environment (DfE) program, the release stated.
According to the release, this represents a significant departure from the EPA's policy that prohibits green claims to be made in conjunction with the promotion of any antimicrobial pesticides.
Stephen Ashkin, president of The Ashkin Group, said: "I am very pleased to see this development from EPA that will make it easier for green consumers and manufacturers to clearly identify ‘greener’ disinfectants which in turn will help eliminate confusion in the marketplace and accelerate green cleaning in critical segments such as health care, schools and others with vulnerable populations."
The EPA will make the recommendations on green claims at the April 22-23 meeting of EPA’s Pesticide Policy Dialogue Committee, the release noted.
In the meantime, the EPA and DfE will continue to conduct the internal pilot, which is designed to identify the parameters under which the DfE ecolabel could be bestowed upon certain disinfectants and sanitizers, the release added.
It is also possible that a policy will be established that would allow the use of ecolabels in conjunction with the marketing of hard surface antimicrobial products in cooperation with the EPA's Design for the Environment (DfE) program, the release stated.
According to the release, this represents a significant departure from the EPA's policy that prohibits green claims to be made in conjunction with the promotion of any antimicrobial pesticides.
Stephen Ashkin, president of The Ashkin Group, said: "I am very pleased to see this development from EPA that will make it easier for green consumers and manufacturers to clearly identify ‘greener’ disinfectants which in turn will help eliminate confusion in the marketplace and accelerate green cleaning in critical segments such as health care, schools and others with vulnerable populations."
The EPA will make the recommendations on green claims at the April 22-23 meeting of EPA’s Pesticide Policy Dialogue Committee, the release noted.
In the meantime, the EPA and DfE will continue to conduct the internal pilot, which is designed to identify the parameters under which the DfE ecolabel could be bestowed upon certain disinfectants and sanitizers, the release added.
Boise's green library is nearly complete
BOISE, ID — Though it is still under construction, the green elements in the new Boise West Library are noticeable, according to KIVI-TV.
The City of Boise mandated the new library meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold standards set forth by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the story stated.
The project, slated to be completed this summer by contractor PETRA Inc., hopes to pave the way for more green building projects in and around the Boise area, the story noted.
PETRA Marketing Director Mark VanGulik said: "Implementing it, has been a little difficult. They're not used to it. It's something new."
Sustainable elements in the new library include a rainwater collection system, polished concrete, temperature-regulating glass, recycled materials and aspects to accommodate a green lifestyle for workers, such as showers for those who bike to work, the story added.
The City of Boise mandated the new library meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold standards set forth by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the story stated.
The project, slated to be completed this summer by contractor PETRA Inc., hopes to pave the way for more green building projects in and around the Boise area, the story noted.
PETRA Marketing Director Mark VanGulik said: "Implementing it, has been a little difficult. They're not used to it. It's something new."
Sustainable elements in the new library include a rainwater collection system, polished concrete, temperature-regulating glass, recycled materials and aspects to accommodate a green lifestyle for workers, such as showers for those who bike to work, the story added.
Harvard Medical School employees protest layoffs
BOSTON — Nine employees subcontracted from American Cleaning Company to work at Harvard Medical School staged a protest Monday morning in response to their recent layoffs, according to the Harvard Crimson.
Escorted by nearly 30 students and members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 615, the custodians' representing body, the displaced employees attempted to clock in before heading to the basement for a small ceremony, the story stated.
Protestors held hands and presented the laid off workers with bread representing livelihood and roses representing dignity before the group was removed from the building, the story noted.
According to the story, Ana Guevara, one of the laid off custodians, said that she had been studying to get her GED through a bridge program with Harvard, but because she will no longer be affiliated with the University, she will have to leave the program after this semester.
Harvard Medical School says it is doing all it can to help the former custodians regain employment, the story added.
Escorted by nearly 30 students and members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 615, the custodians' representing body, the displaced employees attempted to clock in before heading to the basement for a small ceremony, the story stated.
Protestors held hands and presented the laid off workers with bread representing livelihood and roses representing dignity before the group was removed from the building, the story noted.
According to the story, Ana Guevara, one of the laid off custodians, said that she had been studying to get her GED through a bridge program with Harvard, but because she will no longer be affiliated with the University, she will have to leave the program after this semester.
Harvard Medical School says it is doing all it can to help the former custodians regain employment, the story added.
Dallas area hospitals invest in infection prevention
DALLAS — With growing concern over hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) like Clostridium difficile (C. diff) and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), several Dallas area hospitals are investing heavily in infection education and prevention, according to the Dallas Morning News.
The Baylor Health Care System has allocated $20 million for infection education, part of which included inviting Victoria Nahum who started the Safe Care Campaign to educate hospital staff and administrators about the dangers of carelessness after three of her family members became infected in three hospitals in three states in 10 months, the story stated.
Another facility, Texas Health Resources Inc., reinforces infection prevention protocols with "time outs" in surgical situations to double-check the sterilization of equipment and supplies, the story noted.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), health care associated infections account for an estimated 1.7 million infections and 99,000 deaths each year, and cost hospitals $28.4 billion to $33.8 billion annually, or $26,000 per patient.
Many of the efforts employed by hospitals to fight infections revolve around creative programs that stress proper hand hygiene, the story added.
According to the story, Methodist Health System spent $80,000 on small hand sanitizer pumps in and around patient rooms, a $30,000 increase from 2004.
The Baylor Health Care System has allocated $20 million for infection education, part of which included inviting Victoria Nahum who started the Safe Care Campaign to educate hospital staff and administrators about the dangers of carelessness after three of her family members became infected in three hospitals in three states in 10 months, the story stated.
Another facility, Texas Health Resources Inc., reinforces infection prevention protocols with "time outs" in surgical situations to double-check the sterilization of equipment and supplies, the story noted.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), health care associated infections account for an estimated 1.7 million infections and 99,000 deaths each year, and cost hospitals $28.4 billion to $33.8 billion annually, or $26,000 per patient.
Many of the efforts employed by hospitals to fight infections revolve around creative programs that stress proper hand hygiene, the story added.
According to the story, Methodist Health System spent $80,000 on small hand sanitizer pumps in and around patient rooms, a $30,000 increase from 2004.
Brigham Young students prepare for LEED-AP exam
PROVO, UT — A construction management student at Brigham Young University took his passion for the environment and started the Sustainable Build and Design Club to educate others about sustainability, according to The Maneater, Brigham Young's student newspaper.
As part of the club, Dave Robinaugh and other members help prepare students for an exam to become a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED-AP), the story stated.
Robinaugh said: "The idea of the club is to help people realize that what they do has an impact on the world around them and that everyone in their specific area can make a difference. To me, it’s just about building responsibly. I think for so long the majority of my industry has built in a manner that was irresponsible and people have demanded buildings that didn’t show respect for the world around them, the people around them or the creations of God."
At the beginning of the year, only two students were accredited in LEED, but there are now 16, with another dozen students expected to take the test at the end of the semester, the story noted.
The club sets aside four Saturdays a semester to help prepare for the test and takes students on a tour of a green-friendly building to help solidify the principles they have been learning, the story added.
As part of the club, Dave Robinaugh and other members help prepare students for an exam to become a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED-AP), the story stated.
Robinaugh said: "The idea of the club is to help people realize that what they do has an impact on the world around them and that everyone in their specific area can make a difference. To me, it’s just about building responsibly. I think for so long the majority of my industry has built in a manner that was irresponsible and people have demanded buildings that didn’t show respect for the world around them, the people around them or the creations of God."
At the beginning of the year, only two students were accredited in LEED, but there are now 16, with another dozen students expected to take the test at the end of the semester, the story noted.
The club sets aside four Saturdays a semester to help prepare for the test and takes students on a tour of a green-friendly building to help solidify the principles they have been learning, the story added.
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