Rodent infestation closes Pennsylvania State Capitol cafeteria

HARRISBURG, PA — The cafeteria at the Pennsylvania State Capitol, which is operated by the ARAMARK Corporation, was closed last week while crews performed deep cleaning after Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture inspectors found evidence of a rodent infestation, according to the Patriot-News.

The cafeteria, which previously had not been inspected for several years, is expected to remain closed until after the new year, the story stated.

Justin Fleming, a spokesman for the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, said: "There were mouse droppings around the facility too numerous to mention."

The droppings, which indicate the presence of live mice, are considered an imminent health risk and have been known to potentially carry hantavirus, the story noted.

Although employees spent the weekend cleaning the entire cafeteria and fixing other health-related problems, ARAMARK is waiting to have the facility reinspected to ensure complete compliance with the health inspection requirements, the story added.

Sarah Jarvis, an ARAMARK Spokeswoman, said: "Our priority is to ensure that the food served at the Capitol building is of the highest quality and prepared [in] the safest environment possible. We take all violations and suggestions very seriously."

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Swiffer becomes the official cleaner of the Children's Museum of Indianapolis

CINCINNATI — The Procter & Gamble Company's Swiffer brand recently became the official cleaner of the world's largest children's museum, according to a press release.

Swiffer products will now be used throughout the 479,000-square-foot Children's Museum of Indianapolis to trap and lock dust and dirt in every exhibit it houses, the release stated.

As the official cleaner, Swiffer Dusters will be tasked to clean the museum's 43-foot-tall Fireworks of Glass exhibit, the release noted.

Jeff Patchen, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Children's Museum of Indianapolis, said: "Dale Chihuly's artwork (Fireworks of Glass) is one of the centerpieces of our museum, and the preferred dusting solution to help keep it clean and dust-free is Swiffer. After seeing how well it works on such a delicate piece of art as Chihuly's piece, we wanted to deepen our partnership with Swiffer to help keep our exhibits clean and dust-free for our young visitors to enjoy."

Swiffer Dusters use thousands of fluffy fibers that gently change shape to fit anywhere to trap and lock dust and dirt better than traditional feather dusters, the release added.

Click here to read the complete release.

MBCR adopts steam vapor to clean their passenger coaches

BOSTON — To ensure the cleanest possible riding environment for its customers, the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad Company (MBCR) recently announced the introduction of a new vapor sanitizing system to clean passenger coaches, according to a press release.

The steam vapor system from Advanced Vapor Technologies LLC safely removes grease, grime and stains in a cost-effective manner without harming the environment, the release stated.

Richard A. Davey, general manager of MBCR, said: "A sanitary, comfortable passenger coach is an essential part of a commuter's experience. The introduction of Advanced Vapor Technologies' proprietary steam vapor cleaning equipment into service will help us provide cleaner, fresher coaches for passengers during travel."

The system works on a wide range of materials, including vinyl, stainless steel and plastic-type surfaces, making it ideal for cleaning environments like that of MBCR's passenger coaches, the release noted.

Steam vapor cleaning technology, which eradicates a wide range of bacteria and pathogens while reducing potential indoor hazards due to reduced chemical use — all with tap water — will help improve the indoor environmental quality of MBCR's passenger coaches, the release added.

Click here to read the complete release.

Austin, MN Public Schools approve $12 million bond to improve IAQ

AUSTIN, MN — Six Austin Public Schools will soon have better indoor air quality thanks to the approval of a $12 million bond, according to KIMT-TV.

According to the story, the entire project will be financed by a private national lending house on Wall Street and taxpayers will not see an increase from the project.

Upgrades to heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, including dehumidification improvements, will be performed this summer at Banfield Elementary School, Ellis Middle School, Southgate Elementary School, the Woodson Kindergarten Center, Neveln Elementary School and Sumner Elementary School, the story stated.

Director of the Austin Public Schools' Finance and Operations Mark Stotts said: "Indoor air quality is kind of the new buzz word when it comes to facilities. And it is important, you know, as kids and staff have allergies and those types of things."

The Austin Public Schools have 16 years to pay back the bond with an interest rate between 1 and 1½ percent, the story noted.

The Austin Public Schools School Board will begin accepting bids from contractors in the next few weeks — with the project going to the lowest bidder — and will finalize the bid January 11, 2010, the story added.

Click here to read the complete article.

Police catch janitor dealing prescription drugs

BOSTON — A janitor working for the Boston Housing Authority was recently caught by police with Oxycontin pills and a suspicious amount of cash, according to the Boston Herald.

Gregory Horne, who performed janitorial and groundskeeping duties at the Mary Ellen McCormack housing development, was fired after his arrest for felony drug charges, the story stated.

Horne faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted of the charges of possession with intent to distribute, the story noted.

According to a city of Boston Police Department report, undercover officers were monitoring the area Horne was working in as it is considered an area of "high drug activity" when they noticed a man hop out of a car and exchange money for unknown goods with Horne.

When officers searched Horne, they found 18 Oxycontin pills and $873 cash in his pockets, the story added.

According to the story, the man who exchanged money for unknown goods with Horne was stopped by police and later admitted that Horne is his regular supplier of Oxycontin and Suboxone, a drug used in opiate addiction therapy.

Click here to read the complete article.

Study: Pregnant janitors put babies at risk for birth defects

HOUSTON, TX — Findings from a recent study by the National Birth Defects Prevention Network claim that women who are janitors are more likely to have children born with health concerns, according to KABC-TV.

The new study does not explain why janitorial jobs are more hazardous, but previous research has shown a chemical exposure connection, the story stated.

Dr. Juan Silva, a family and prenatal medicine expert, said: "Mothers that worked as janitors, cleaners or scientists, the study implies that they are at great risk for having children with neural tube defects. Certain chemical exposure would put you at a greater risk for having children with neural tube defects."

The study was based on phone interviews with about 12,500 mothers between 1997 and 2003, many of whom had children with various defects including ear, eye or gastrointestinal problems and cleft abnormalities, the story noted.

According to the story, the mothers were interviewed about the kind of job that they had at the time they became pregnant to the end of their first trimester; experts say this is a critical time for healthy fetal development.

Many feel that the findings are too preliminary to draw concrete conclusions, but it underscores the need for pregnant women janitors to speak with their supervisors about the chemicals they use and how they can protect themselves, the story added.

To read the study in its entirety, click here.

Click here to read the complete article.

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My Maid Service Earns Coveted Angie’s List Super Service Award

Award reflects company’s consistently high level of customer service

01.12.2010 – My Maid Service has been awarded the prestigious 2009 Angie’s List Super Service Award.

The Super Service Award, now celebrating its 11th year, is reserved for companies who have achieved and maintained a superior service rating on Angie's List – the nation’s leading provider of consumer ratings on local service companies – throughout the past year. Fewer than 5 percent of the companies on Angie's List meet the eligibility requirements to be considered for the award.

“Our Super Service Award winners are the cream of the crop when it comes to providing the best customer service,” said Angie Hicks, founder of Angie’s List.

Cincinnati-based My Maid Service is a residential and commercial cleaning company that provides a wide range of services, from mopping floors, vacuuming, dusting and changing bed linens to cleaning carpets and windows. The My Maid Service team is professional and efficient. My Maid Service also provide SAFE CLEAN, a service that uses only nontoxic, natural products, free of harsh chemicals and fumes, that are biodegradable, hypoallergenic, earth-friendly, not tested on animals and recyclable, at no additional cost. For more information, visit My Made Service.

“This award represents our commitment to quality,” said Derek Christian, owner and president of My Maid Service. “It means a lot to us that we are in this elite group.”

Angie’s List Super Service Award winners have maintained a total and overall grade of "A;" have received a minimum number of reports; are NOT in the Angie's List "Penalty Box” and do NOT have an unsatisfactory rating with the Better Business Bureau.

Service company ratings are updated daily on Angie’s List, but members can find the 2009 Super Service Award logo next to company names in search results on AngiesList.com.

Angie’s List is where thousands of consumers share their ratings and reviews on local contractors and companies in more than 500 different categories. Currently, more than 1 million consumers across the U.S. rely on Angie’s List to help them find the right contractor or company for the job they need done. Members have unlimited access to the list via Internet or phone; receive the award-winning Angie’s List magazine, which includes articles on home improvement and maintenance, consumer trends and scam alerts; and they can utilize the Angie’s List complaint resolution service. Get more information about Angie’s List at Angies list View the latest Angie's List News Releases in our Press Center and read Angie’s blog at www.angiehicksblog.com.

Direct Link: My Made Service