School Infection Control Handbook - 2010

Chapter 6: Equipment for Infection Control

Chapter 6.A. Introduction Institutional cleaning technology has undergone rapid change over the past few years. New advances in chemical-free technology are positioning it to be one of the most environmentally friendly ways to care for public buildings while protecting the health of the users and other occupants. One of the technologies described in this chapter—ventilation—can be designed to reduce airborne transmission of microbes without chemicals, whereas the three other technologies sanitize or disinfect surfaces without chemicals. These technologies may need to be combined with other infection-control strategies, such as personal hygiene strategies (e.g., hand washing for microbes transmitted by contact with surfaces, or cough etiquette for microbes transmitted by an airborne route). Cleaning industry manufacturers have introduced these chemical-free cleaning devices for surface cleaning in the past few years. Although the processes are different, they all use water as the basis for the technology. These innovations are possible because of advances in electrical engineering, software, and solid-state circuitry. Although the technology is not appropriate for all cleaning tasks, it can be successfully used as part of a Cleaning for Healthier Schools program. Some of the surfaces for which the technology is especially appropriate are glass, mirrors, plastic, whiteboards, stone, marble, and stainless steel. It is also useful for bathroom cleaning (before disinfecting), sanitizing, routine cleaning of desks, and routine floor care. Antimicrobial pesticides are required to be registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the product label must list this registration number. For antimicrobial devices, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act requires registration with the EPA as a pesticide device. These registered products have an EPA establishment number rather than a registration number. Even though the EPA considers these technologies devices, not chemicals, the product must comply with the same standards for advertising, labeling, and efficacy testing by an independent third-party organization who verifies the kill claims. A chemical-related health warning label is not required. Benefits of Using Chemical-Free Technology x Improved health and safety, because custodians and building occupants are exposed to fewer chemicals x Reduced cost of purchasing, storing, and disposing of chemicals x Ease of use x Reduced water usage in floor scrubbers Costs Although the up-front cost of the devices may seem high, they can rapidly pay for themselves, as demonstrated by a pilot project at Georgia Institute of Technology. The pilot project, using handheld activated-water devices, showed that the reduction in chemical purchases enabled paying for each unit during the first 6 months of operation. 1

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