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Cleaning the Restroom for Health

From an environmental health scientist's point of view, a restroom is a high risk environment. At its most basic level the restroom is a bio-hazardous waste transfer station -- the place where biological waste is transferred from the human digestive system to the sanitary sewer system. All too often the transfer does not occur effectively, and bio-hazardous waste is spread through different areas of the indoor environment, creating a breeding ground for potentially harmful microbes.

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Introduction Earth; the home of humankind for ions. Humans have adapted well on planet earth. We are the dominate species. We have conquered the wild beasts, built incredible dwelling places, cities, countries; we�ve even touched other planets. Yet, the greatest threat to survival is so small that it�s invisible to the naked eye. An enemy that is relentless and even changes its tactics, even its very form. There�s a definite connection between human health and soil removal, and it�s clear that most restrooms today pose a very real threat to building occupants. Dr. Robinson The restroom is probably the most dangerous area in a public building. In reality, it�s a bio-hazardous waste transfer station. More bluntly, it�s the place where biological waste is transferred from the human digestive system to the sanitary sewer system. Unfortunately, the transfer is not always effective and sanitary. Too often there are accidents, spills, drips of urine, feces, vomit, blood and other bodily fluids. In addition, every flush of the toilet creates a fine mist of potentially bio-hazardous waste particles, including E. coli, shigella and other fecal toxins. This phenomena, often referred to as the toilet sneeze, broadcasts countless bio-pollutants into the air, which eventually settle on surrounding surfaces, such as walls, fixtures, dispensers, doors and the floor. By far, the most plentiful bio-pollutant in the restroom is urine, typically concentrated around urinals and toilets. This normally sterile urine becomes a very rich food source for odor and disease causing bacteria, in particular E. coli -- which is probably why studies show that floors have the highest E. coli count of all surfaces in the restroom. So, how do these harmful microbes make us sick? They first must find their way into our bodies. This is commonly accomplished via the fecal oral transfer. The transfer is literally hand to mouth, nose and eyes. Hands can be contaminated by coming into contact with static transfer points � such as dispensers, faucets, door handles, even desk tops. Any object that comes into contact with a contaminated surface is potentially a disease transfer point and is referred to as a fomite. The most practical defense against these invisible microbes is effective cleaning and proper hygiene. With all the problems in the public restroom, it�s important to go beyond simply cleaning for appearance to cleaning for health. Traditional Cleaning The vast majority of restrooms today are cleaned with a traditional string mop. However, there are some inherent problems with mopping � problems that can compromise health. First, to save time and reduce slip/fall accidents, most restrooms are damp mopped, which typically involves a single pass with a very small amount of cleaning solution. This thin film of solution is insufficient to remove, emulsify or disinfect the soils on the floor. Besides, as soon as the dirty mop is wrung into the bucket, the solution becomes contaminated. So essentially, the floor is being cleaned with contaminated solution that is simply spreading around. On a tiled floor, the issue�s even more complicated. Because of the rough surface texture of grout, mops just can�t pull matter out of the grout line effectively. Soils and bio-pollutants that have been absorbed by the porous grout have little chance of being removed. Plus, during mopping, the grout line actually squeegees the soils and soap scum from the mop�s fibers. This is why even newly constructed restrooms often exhibit the telltale symptoms of decline and chronic contamination, like stained, darkened grout lines, and obnoxious odors. In fact, lingering stubborn odors are actually evidence of ongoing bacterial activity. No-Touch Cleaning The good news is that dangerous bio-pollutants are relatively easy to remove and dispose of properly with the right cleaning techniques. One such method is No-Touch Cleaning from Kaivac. Designed to remove the maximum amount of unwanted matter, a no-touch cleaning system combines automatic chemical metering and injection, an indoor pressure washer, and a powerful wet vacuum into a single integrated system. Its ultimate purpose is to decontaminate the bio-hazardous waste transfer station. To begin, the operator applies automatically diluted cleaning solution to fixtures and floors in a low pressure fan spray. As the liquid cleaning solution dwells, it loosens and lifts soils in preparation for vacuum extraction. In addition, the fluid brings residual dehydrated soils, such as dried urine, into liquid solution. Next, the operator pressure-rinses the target surfaces with fresh water, power-rinsing hard to reach areas such as seat hinges, behind toilets, and so on, carrying contaminants to the floor in a current of water. The power of the indoor pressure washer is ideal for attacking accumulated matter without harming surfaces or personnel. If necessary, the operator can manually brush problem spots to further loosen soils. Then, the operator suctions all liquids and contaminants from the floor with the built-in wet vacuum. This high-flow fluid extraction process creates a liquid current that transports the unwanted matter into a recovery tank where it�s contained and quarantined. The vacuum also leaves the floor clean and dry and ready for use. The drying action also inhibits bacterial growth. Kaivac�s goal is to deliver cost-effective, worker-friendly cleaning systems that protect the health and safety of a building�s occupants as well as the environment. As a result, we have designed our No-Touch Cleaning systems from the start for deep cleaning in a way that�s extremely efficient yet environmentally responsible. We take a holistic approach to Green Cleaning. Not only do we incorporate environmentally-friendly products and methods, but just as important, we remove the maximum amount of indoor pollutants. Research Results Recent studies confirm that all cleaning methods do not produce the same results. A comparison was made between traditional mops, flat mops and the Kaivac No-Touch Cleaning process, measuring soil and bacteria removal in grout lines. The results showed that traditional and flat mops left 35 times (that�s 3500%) more soil and bacteria behind than No-Touch Cleaning. Considering the definite connection between human health and soil removal, it�s really important that these areas be cleaned completely and properly to remove the harmful biological hazards and reduce the risk of disease. Measurement Technologies Do you want to find out how effective your cleaning program is? Start measuring. Recent measurement technologies are now available that can help you instantly quantify the effectiveness of your cleaning program. For example, handheld ATP meters rapidly measure the amount of bio-pollutants on virtually any surface including floors, sink handles, toilets, dispensers, desk tops and so on. The easy to use palm size devices specifically detect and quantify the level of adenosine triphosphate, or ATP, the universal energy molecule found in all animal, plant, bacteria, yeast and mold cells. These innovative instruments are commonly used in a number of other industries, including healthcare and food processing, to ensure health through proper sanitation. With ATP monitoring, it�s now possible to establish a quantifiable standard of hygiene that defines when a surface is really clean for different areas throughout your building. Gerba People in this industry don�t realize that they�re really in a way in the health care industry. Particularly when it comes to public restrooms. We know they are involved in the transmission of infectious diseases like Hepatitis A, Shigella, Salmonella� If we want to reduce illness and really to save lives � people do die from these types of infections � it does become important to maintain proper hygiene in these facilities. It�s just not about cleaning, it�s about disease prevention. The prevention of the transmission of infectious diseases. We really are, in a way, guardians of unseen public health, in a way, and I don�t think we should understate that. Ending Effective cleaning, proper hand washing and prudent use of disinfectants are our best offense in our war against the unseen world. With proper cleaning techniques and routine measurement, walking into a restroom can be a safe, healthy experience.

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Cleaning the Restroom for Health

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