Study: Tea tree oil to treat MRSA

WASHINGTON — Tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia), long used to treat acne and minor skin irritations, may soon be used to treat something more severe — Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), according to the Examiner.

A study published in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy that was conducted at the Department of Microbiology at the University of Western Australia found that Melaleuca alternifolia successfully treated all 66 test cases of Staphylococcus aureus bacterium, 64 of which were Methicillin resistant, the story stated.

According to the study, tea tree oil may be even more effective against the spread of MRSA than some of the drugs commonly used to combat the bacteria.

Similar studies show Melaleuca alternifolia can also successfully prevent the spread and growth of highly resistant fungi and yeast, the story noted.

Tea tree is a powerful volatile oil, passing through the cell membrane quickly and easily and therefore should never be ingested internally; proper ventilation may be required when applying topically and special care and dosing instructions should be followed when using it to treat children as their systems are more sensitive to the effects of the active ingredient, terpinen, the story added.

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Successful Spartan Chemical seminar

MAUMEE, OH — Over 50 industry professionals assembled at the corporate offices of the Spartan Chemical Company to participate in the invitation-only "Do More with Less! Cleaning in Today’s Economy" seminar on May 5-6, according to a press release.

The market-specific seminar was created to provide insight into the trends affecting building service contractors (BSCs) and facility managers in today’s workplace, the release stated.

Guest speakers included: Jim Harris, Sr., chairman of The Harris Group, speaking on topics such as Systems Thinking for Sustained, High Productivity and Performance Cleaning Utilizing Team Specialists; and David Frank, president of the American Institute for Cleaning Sciences (AICS), speaking on the topics of Capital Expenditures and Mechanization and Green Cleaning – Meeting Sustainability Goals on a Budget, the release noted.

For more information regarding future Spartan seminars, contact Abbey Davidson at 1-800-537-8990, ext. 228, or adavidson@spartanchemical.com, the release added.

Stricter OSHA combustible dust regulations

WASHINGTON — Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulators are moving to adopt tougher rules for controlling combustible dust in the workplace, according to the Courier-Journal.

According to the story, since 1980, more than 130 people have been killed and more than 780 injured in preventable combustible dust accidents.

The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board recommended that the federal government require stricter dust controls three years ago, but changes were never implemented, the story stated.

While many labor unions support stricter combustible dust regulations, several industry groups, including The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers and the National Federation of Independent Business, oppose changes, the story noted.

Industry awareness to the dangers of accumulating combustible dust in the workplace has improved in the last few years, but is still inadequate, the story added.

Georgia-Pacific launches hand hygiene campaign

ATLANTA — Georgia-Pacific Professional recently launched a campaign focused on the company's commitment to promote good hand hygiene practices, according to a press release.

The Healthy Solutions campaign is based on the idea of "The New Chicken Soup" and stresses the importance of hand washing to prevent illness, the release stated.

Alex Volpe, director of the towel category for Georgia-Pacific Professional, said: "Proper hand washing and drying with a paper towel are the foundations of successful infection control practices. Through our easy-to-use washroom products, Georgia-Pacific Professional provides effective hygiene solutions every day while consumers are away from home."

The Healthy Solutions website features specific information about promoting proper hygiene in public places such as schools, food processing facilities, restaurants, airports, health care facilities and office buildings, the release noted.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends regular, vigorous hand washing with soap and water for at least 15 to 20 seconds, the release added.

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Landlord forces woman out of moldy home

LOUISVILLE, KY — A single mother of six is being forced out of her rental home after she complained about mold growth to her landlord, according to WHAS-TV.

Jo-Manda Quarrells complained that a leaky sink had caused mold to grow in her bathroom, bedroom and closet about five weeks ago, the story stated.

Her landlord, Cook Properties, failed to respond to her complaints for several weeks and the problem continued to get worse, the story noted.

After eventually returning her call, Quarrells' landlord said she had a couple of weeks to leave the property and find a new place for her and her half-dozen children to live, the story added.

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America's five most unusual restrooms

WASHINGTON — For those who care more about unique aesthetics than any other atribute, here is a short list of the five most unusual restrooms in America, according to Digital City.

CBGB's in New York City ranked number five for having every inch of the walls covered in graffiti, the story stated.

Art Chicks in Louisville, NE, came in at number four for its chic, all-pink décor geared towards women, the story noted.

According to the story, the Madonna Inn located in San Louis Obispo, CA, landed the number three spot for its cave-designed men's room with urinals that looks like waterfalls and sinks that resemble large clamshells.

Jungle Jim's International Market in Fairfield, OH, scored the number two position for its restroom entrances fashioned to look like port-o-potties, the story added.

As reported in the article, the winner of the most unusual restroom in America is the heaven and hell themed facility at the Brio Restaurant in Rockford, IL.

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Indoor air quality issues for Louisville-area schools

LOUISVILLE, KY — Jefferson County students are regularly exposed to toxic chemicals more than nearly any other metropolitan area in the United States, according to WHAS-TV.

The conclusion came after the data from a year-long USA Today study that measured indoor air quality in the 263 Louisville-area schools was released, the story stated.

According to the study, all but 5 of the 263 public and private schools in greater Louisville were ranked in the bottom 10 percent of toxic schools; 18 Jefferson County Schools were ranked in the bottom one percent.

Dr. David Pollares said: "Plants are there, the factories and the schools are right near them and it’s just kind of a no-brainer. The kids are going to get exposed because it’s right around that vicinity."

According to the story, in 2002, Jefferson County ranked last out of 736 counties in the southeast for health risks from air pollution.

As a result of the poor air quality, the Strategic Toxic Air Reduction (STAR) Program was formed in 2005, which adopted new standards for toxic waste emissions in Louisville, the story noted.

The Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District disputes the study’s findings, saying the figures used in the study, which were from 2005, came from before the STAR program started, the story added.

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