Many would say that health is more important than life itself. Let CBN Building Maintenance introduce you to a safer, healthier, and more productive workplace environment.
Research demonstrates the cleaning and dust-control methods CBN utilizes can significantly
improve indoor air quality (IAQ):
1) The Research Triangle Institute™ study uses DuPont Hysurf 1.0 micron vacuum bags (we use recently developed 0.3 micron HEPA vacuums for even finer filtration), dust wiping rather than feather dusting, entryway walk-off mats, and appropriate chemical selection; it produced an airborne particulate reduction of 52%, a volatile organic chemical (VOC) reduction of 49%, and an average bio contaminate reduction of 75%.
2) The
Daniels Associates™ study also uses DuPont Hysurf bags (remember, we use even finer 0.3 micron HEPA vacs) and DuPont "Dust Wizard" dust wipes (an early microfiber wipe), walk-off mats and chemical selection; it measured an airborne particulate reduction of 66%.As detailed in the following, we've adopted the above procedures. We also advise clients on walk-off entry mat placement, and add: a) filtered floor burnishers; b) application of carpet protectant to help release dust into the vacuum; and c) vacuuming (rather than sweeping or dust mopping) hard floors.
0.3 micron HEPA vacuums capture spores, pollen, airborne bacteria and dust
mite feces. Traditional paper bags only filter particles down to about ten
microns; many janitorial firms still use old-technology dumpable cloth
vacuum bags, which pump a visible cloud of even larger particles into the
air. Particles remain airborne up to eight hours after passing through the
vacuum - waiting for you to remove them from the air by inhaling them
yourself. (Ten microns is about the smallest particle visible to the eye;
one micron is approximately the size of large cigarette smoke particles.
Many allergens are between 1 and 10 microns in diameter)
Particles in the one to ten micron range include airborne bacteria, some spores and pollen, and dust mite droppings - in essence, lots of allergens. This size itself seems dangerous to the lungs, based on studies of cancer, birth defects, etc.
Besides allowing our poor ostrich to keep his tailfeathers intact, our dust wipes trap dust - without dampening your furniture or leaving an oily chemical residue - and remove it from your building; much better than feather dusting the particles into the air for us all to breathe.
Tile floors vacuumed
Besides leaving debris in corners, against edges and under furniture - and in the irregular surfaces and grouting of ceramic floors - brooms and dustmops create air turbulence, the vortices wafting fine particles (near invisible to the naked eye) into the air to remain suspended for hours. We use CRI Green Label Certified backpack-style vacuums to "suck up and retain" dust rather than dash it about - also to more thoroughly clean corners, edges, and under furniture.
Microfiber damp mops - not string mops
Numerous studies and field experience show that, compared to the traditional string wet mop, microfiber flat mops pick up more soil, use less solution and less chemical in that solution, and avoid dirt and dirty water slopped onto furniture legs and baseboards. A study conducted by the University of California at Davis Medical Center also demonstrates superior pathogen removal - bacterial culture shows a 30% removal using string mops, versus a 99% removal using microfiber.
Regularly cleaned entry floor mats
Appropriately sized and positioned floor mats, regularly cleaned, figure significantly in the Research Triangle Institute and Daniels Associates studies of indoor air quality improvement, by halting exterior dirt as it enters the building. By controlling tracking of moisture and other hazards, mats can also contribute to your building's safety profile.
Using industry standards, we can advise you on mat size and placement. Mat rental and cleaning is available as part of our full service package, or we can refer you directly to our mat company of choice, G & K™ Services.
Filtered floor burnishers
Ever notice a coating of gritty gray dust on your furniture the morning after your janitor "polishes" your tile floors? Burnishing (ultra high-speed buffing - needed for most modern floor finishes) creates dust - a combination of ground-in dirt, powdered floor finish, and material wearing off the machine's pad.
Our filtered Laser X™ burnishers minimize this problem, and keep your air cleaner.
No aerosols
When spraying an aerosol, both propellant and chemical become airborne, which fouls the air and wastes the chemical. We use squirt bottles and pump sprayers; no propellant is involved, and more of the cleaning chemical hits the work surface. Better than in your air, don't you think?
No bleach or ammonia
Chlorinated bleach and ammonia are both noxious compounds in and of themselves. Besides their individual characteristics of user unfriendliness and
No scouring powder
Ever notice the cloud of dust when you shake the stuff out of the can? Scouring powders are a combination of high pH detergents and finely ground pumice. Most also contain bleach. Inhaling the dust is not at all helpful to your lungs.
Low VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds)
Organic chemicals are widely used as ingredients in many cleaning and disinfecting products. These products can release organic compounds while you are using them and, to some degree, when they are stored. Eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, loss of coordination, nausea, and damage to liver, kidney, and central nervous system are among the noted health effects of VOC exposure. Many organic compounds are known to cause cancer in animals; some are suspected of causing, or are known to cause, cancer in humans.
The ability of organic chemicals to cause adverse health effects varies greatly from those that are highly toxic, to those with no known health effect. As with other pollutants, the extent and nature of the health effects will depend on many factors, including the level of exposure and length of time exposed.
The floor-care and office-cleaning products offered by Johnson's are specifically formulated to be environmentally friendly and consumer health positive. They contain few or no harmful VOCs. This is one of the primary reasons we have chosen their product line.
Carpet protectant a part of carpet maintenance package
Included with our full-service janitorial program is application of a state-of-the-art carpet protectant to repel oil and grease, and to keep dust and dirt from adhering to the carpet's surface.
Periodic spot cleaning becomes more effective. The next full cleaning becomes more thorough. Every night, as we vacuum, we remove more dry pollutants from your carpeting. This extends the life of your carpeting, maintains the appearance of your office, and keeps the air you breathe cleaner.
Sanitation is one of the primary reasons for hiring a professional cleaning service (yes - there is a difference between cleaning and sanitizing). Our staff is fully trained in both cleaning and sanitizing your restrooms and lunchrooms. Microorganisms can survive for many hours on unsanitized surfaces. Serious food-borne illness is a very real consequence of preparing and eating food in a less than sanitary environment.
Sanitation with Johnson's Virex™ II
In restrooms and breakrooms, we use Johnson’s hospital-grade germicide, Virex II, for the sanitation of hard surfaces. Virex provides broad spectrum disinfection (pseudomonacidal, staphylocidal, salmonellacidal, fungicidal, virucidal). Virex also assists in the elimination of biologically based odors.
At CBN, we take pride in our position as an expert resource in the fields of health and indoor air quality. We keep abreast of ongoing research in these fields, and pass along exciting developments to our clients. More importantly, we use this information when updating our procedures and ongoing personnel training programs. Listed below are links to sources of information on indoor air quality and state-of-the-art cleaning practices as they relate to your health, at home as well as at the office.
