Benchmarks

Study Finds Microfiber Mops an Effective Alternative

Arecent study conducted by the Sustainable Hospitals Project (SHP) found microfiber mops to be more beneficial from an environmental health and safety standpoint when compared with conventional loop mops in hospitals.

The SHP is a project of the Lowell Center for Sustainable Production at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell. SHP develops studies and promotes products and work practices that reduce occupational and environmental hazards.

Microfiber mopping systems are being marketed as an alternative to traditional wet loop mops, especially for cleaning hospital floors. Microfiber is an ultra-fine synthetic fiber that is very absorbent, yet lightweight. The material also produces a strong positive charge that attracts dust.

The mop heads look like cloth pads and are designed to be replaced regularly with clean pads. Traditional loop mops require frequent rinsing and fresh mop-bucket water.

A microfiber floor-mopping system was piloted in a Boston-area hospital and SHP compared the system with the conventional wet loop mop-and-bucket cleaning system.

The project’s objective was to evaluate the impact of microfiber mopping on health and the environment, compared with the loop-mop system. The evaluation included a description of each process, use of resources, general workplace hazards, an ergonomic analysis and cost analysis of each mopping system.

SHP concluded that the microfiber system:

• is an effective way to clean floors
  
• is easier and more comfortable for workers
  
• prevents cross-contamination between rooms with single-use mop heads
  
• reduces water and chemical use, and
  
• reduces ergonomic hazards.
  

The group reported that the initial cost for the microfiber system is approximately twice the cost of conventional loop mopping systems. Microfiber life-cycle costs are lower because the mop head’s life is approximately 10 times that of a conventional mop. Reduction in chemical and water use with microfiber mopping represents a further cost saving.

More information on the study.

Also, read the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s fact sheet, "Using Microfiber Mops in Hospitals."

Restroom Win a Joint Effort

The women’s restrooms at Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Michigan are busy areas — 75 percent of the organization’s employees are women. Despite the traffic, one of the building’s women’s restrooms recently won the “Best Office Bathroom” contest, conducted by Kimberly-Clark.

Credit goes to the building’s cleaning staff — and building occupants.

“Keeping restrooms clean is a joint effort between the janitorial team and the building employees,” says Thomas Giacobassi, RPA, FMA, SMA, regional property administrator for Blue-Cross Blue Shield of Michigan in Southfield, Mich.

It is not uncommon to catch the building’s employees wiping off sinks with hand towels after use. The building also has two full-time female restroom attendants.

SAFETY INFO
Asbestos Atill a Hazard, ASSE Says

Cancer-causing asbestos can still be found in the air in the workplace, according to a report from the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE). In fact, materials containing asbestos still are being produced in the United States, according to Jeffery Camplin, CSP, ASSE’s assistant administrator for the Environmental Practice Specialty.

Camplin also notes that even after air in facility work areas has been declared free of asbestos, asbestos fibers can remain in the air and on surfaces. He advises that cleaning professionals identify asbestos with an inspection and follow U.S. Environmental Protection Agency guidelines for cleaning contaminated buildings.

More information.

EDICATIONAL NEWS
School Faces Mold ... Again

A school with a history of mold problems experienced a bad summer when officials discovered a suspicious-looking mold-like substance twice in August.

St. Charles (Ill.) East High School closed six classrooms and hired the environmental firm that managed the school’s $30 million mold remediation in 2001.

The high school has a history of mold and air quality problems dating back to 1986. Between 1997 and 2001, the school underwent six environmental tests. The district spent $5.6 million in 1998 to improve air quality and remove mold, but occupants’ indoor air quality complaints continued.

Mold-like spots were found in the same area of the school where substantial amounts of stachybotrys mold was found in 2001. Stachybotrys is known to cause runny noses, itchy and watery eyes, sinus irritations and headaches.

District officials said they are going to work to determine the type of mold found in the wall and its source.

St. Charles East was closed from April 2001 until August 2002. During a 10-month remediation, approximately 60 percent of the school’s interior walls were torn down and rebuilt and a new heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system was installed.

Re-emergence of the mold fueled debate regarding whether or not the district should have razed the school in 2001 and built a new structure.