Green housekeepingWhat it is And how we get there

Vermont Chapter of the International Executive Housekeeping AssociationOctober 7, 2010

Bob PowitzRobert W. Powitz, PhD, MPH, RS

Forensic SanitarianR.W. Powitz & Associates, PC

With special thanks and gratitude

Vince Elliott and Beth BittenbenderElliott Affiliates, LTD

Allen P. RatheyInstructionLink/JanTrain, Inc.

Chris Deets and John ShanahanActiveion, Inc.

Rick HoversonAdvanced Vapor Technologies, LLC

Thomas W. JohnsonUrgent Solutions, Inc.

Christopher PirolliBucks County Corrections, Doylestown, Pennsylvania

Defining “Clean”

Clean n (1872) : an act or process of cleaning dirt especially from the surface of something.

Free from dirt, contamination and pollution …To rid of dirt, impurities or extraneous matter.

Soiling: Physical, Chemical and BiologicalOutcome: Health, Safety, Aesthetics

Quick Definitions

• Bioload – – An estimate of the number of microorganisms on an

object.– Best guess estimate

• Bioburden –

– The actual number of microorganisms with which an object surface is contaminated.

– Determined by measurement

Cleaning Objectives

1. Aesthetics (Appearance).

2. Health (Infection Prevention and Control).

3. Contamination Control (Product Protection)

4. Safety (Injury Prevention)

Contamination Control

1. Keep contaminants out .

2. Get rid of the ones that get in.

3. Prevent damage from those that have gotten in.

4. Minimize their movement.

Contamination Control - Corollary

Efficacy.

Expediency.

Price.

Pick any two of the above.

Quick Definition

Disinfection:Completely destroys all specific test organisms in

10 minutes under conditions of the AOAC Use Dilution Test.

Sanitization:Destroys 99.999% of specified test bacteria in 30

seconds under conditions of the Official Detergent Sanitizer Test (Weber & Black).

How clean is clean?

Concept of priority in establishing cleaning protocol.

Four objectives:1. Persons2. Objects3. Environment4. Aesthetics

Objective 1: Degerming skin and mucous membranes

Priority 1: Lowest possible level of microbial contamination attainable. Transient superficial resident and subsurface resident organisms removed.

Priority 2: Transient microflora removed, most resident superficial organisms removed.

Priority 3: Most transient microflora removed.

Objective 2: Reducing contamination level of objects.

Priority 1: Sterility required.

Priority 2: Removal of pathogens, lowest possible level of other microorganisms.

Priority 3: Reduction of microbial numbers to levels considered “safe”.

Priority 4: Aesthetic cleanliness.

Objective 3: Reducing contamination in the environment.

Priority 1: Removal of pathogens, lowest possible level of other microorganisms.

Priority 2: Reduction of microbial numbers to levels considered “safe”.

Priority 3: Aesthetic cleanliness.

Objective 4: Aesthetics - Keeping unwanted microbes from growing.

Priority 1: No growth.

Priority 2: Preventing foul odors.

What is Green?Green or “environmentally preferable” means:

“…products or services that have a lesser or reduced [harmful ] effect on human health and the environment …compared with…products or services that serve the same purpose.” Executive Order 13101

Shouldn’t we be enhancing the environment rather than harming it?

Green achievements can be hard to market, because so many things fall into the category of …

“doing less bad”.That’s a hard case to make to the

public.

Green Benefits“Environmentally Preferable”

Helps meet environmental goals by enhancing both the indoor and outdoor environment.

Improves worker safety and health.Reduces liabilities.Reduces health & disposal costs; increases savings!More productive people, higher quality output. Improves bottom line.

Sustainability

"Sustainable Production is the creation of goods and services using processes and systems that are: non-polluting; conserving of energy and natural resources; economically efficient; safe and healthful for workers, communities, and consumers; and, socially and creatively rewarding for all working people.“

"Sustainable Development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

Sustainable Development

• Basic concept - Sustainable Development is an increase in well-being across the members of a society between two points in time.

• The capital approach - In theory the classical development theory is strongly focused on investment and capital as central determining factors for development.

Sustainable Development

Governmental mandates: – Executive Order 13101 – Greening the Government Through

Waste Prevention, Recycling and Federal Acquisition.– EPA – Environmentally Preferable Purchasing– Federal Acquisition Regulation – Section 23.703

• Maximize the use of environmentally preferable products and services• Maximize the use of energy-efficient products• Eliminate or reduce the generation of hazardous waste• Promote the use of nonhazardous and recovered materials• Realize life-cycle cost savings• Promote cost effective waste reduction• Consider the use of biobased products.

What is Green Cleaning?

Green cleaning is a holistic approach that takes into account:

1. The health, safety, and environmental risks of products and processes associated with cleaning;

2. The mission and use of the facility to be cleaned and the behavior of facility occupants, and,

3. The cleaning, maintenance, and sanitation needs of the facility.

What is Green Cleaning?

In other words, Green Cleaning is an approach that involves the use of alternative products, applying those products in different ways, and evaluating and/or changing behaviors associated with how buildings are used to reduce risks while maintaining a satisfactory level of cleanliness and disinfection.

Public Health Rationale

• Green cleaning chemicals account for only 2% - 5% of products sold.

• Preservation of employee health• Six percent of custodians will be injured by commercial

cleaning products• 20% of these injuries will be serious• Average time lost = 18 hours• > $650 per incident

• No harm to the environment

The Five R’s

• Re-Evaluate. Re-evaluate the entire cleaning process. Can the procedure be eliminated or replaced with something better?

• Reduce. Reduce the quantity and toxicity of materials being used.

• Reuse. Purchase products that are durable, repairable, reusable, or returnable.

• Recycle. Purchase for recyclability.• Renew. Select products from renewable resources.

Buying Green

Look at:Performance PriceAvailability Regulatory requirements, and Environmental impact.

“Purchasers should examine as many relevant product [or service] attributes as possible, recognizing that tradeoffs are inevitable.” -EPA EPP

Environmentally Preferable Purchasing

• Biodegradability60% - 70% biodegradable within 28 days

• Non-hazardous Wasteas defined in 40 CFR Part 261

• Toxicitybased on oral, dermal and inhalation toxicity

• Environmental Hazardno phenol compounds, petroleum solvents or heavy

metals

Additional GSA Requirements

• Skin irritation• Air pollution potential• Fragrances• Dyes• Packaging• Features to minimize exposure to concentrate

ICM Learning Objectives

1. Defining Integrated Cleaning and Measurement

2. Why ICM3. The ICM Cycle4. Open Source Sharing5. Establishing Cleaning Priorities

Defining “ICM”

ICM was started by Kaivac.An open-source systems approach to cleaning in

order to evaluate best practices. Uses a cycle for evaluation, based on what the

Japanese call “Kaizen” or continuous improvement.

Defining “ICM”

Incorporates measurement as part of the process by:• Objectively measuring surface cleanliness through

scientific instrumentation (ATP), and,• Objectively measuring cost, effectiveness, efficiency

and customer satisfaction through applied management and administration.

ICM defines: How clean is clean (?) through trial and measurement.

ICM Cycle

Kaizen – Continuous Improvemento Measureo Compareo Experimento Implemento Open Source Sharing

ICM Cycle

Measure

• Uses new cost-effective environmental measuring tools• Two valuable insights:

– Which areas in the facility need to be cleaned the most;

– How well are you cleaning them.• This creates a baseline for current practices.

WHAT is measured?

Customer Satisfaction

Appearance

Contamination Levels

Results!

ICM Cycle

Compare

• Cleaning, not disinfection drives the system.• Provides benchmark data on practices, differences in tools

and techniques.• The data base provides information on how current cleaning

compares to ‘best practices’ and shows where improvements can be made.

ICM Cycle

Experiment

• Try new things.• As you try new things, continue measuring.• Time, motion, cost, effectiveness, productivity.• Are the new processes and products getting better results?

ICM Cycle

Implement

• The experimenting phase ends when you find new operating methods, products, processes and/or procedures that you want to make a part of your operation.

• This brings you back to Step #1: ‘Measure’ to monitor effectiveness.

• Look for ways to make it even better.

Cycle Validation

Each situation serves as its own control.• Develop “before” and “after” trending.• Develop “target” patterns.• Finite numerical outcomes are unfeasible.• Follow scientific sampling methodology.

• Defensible and repeatable strategies.• ANSI/ASQ Z1.4 – 2003 (MIL-STD-105E)

• Encourage data sharing.• DO NOT use monitoring data punitively.

ICM Cycle

Open Source Sharing

• Share what you learn.• Great example: Wikipedia – an online encyclopedia where

content is supplied by the internet community of users.• Allows for self-generation of data and error correction.• Bring about positive change to our industry.

The New Cleaning Paradigm

• Inspect and Report

• Discuss Results and Develop Management Action Plan

• Implement Plan

• Inspect and Report

• Meet to Review Results – Did the MAP work?

• Revise Management Action Plan

• Implement Plan

• Inspect and Report…..

Physical measuring devices

Determining “Clean to Sight and Touch”

LED flashlight with focused beamUltra Violet (UV) flashlight – 390nm (3900Å)Wooden cotton swabs and/or wipesAlcohol swabs Clear cellophane tape / magnifying glass

Physical measuring devices

Determining Surface Safety

• Horizontal Drag Slip Meter– Performs static coefficient of friction (COF) testing.

• Portable Articulated Strut Machine• Performs dynamic COF testing.• Variable Incidence Tribometer – “English Slip Meter”

• Penny Trip Gauge: 4¢

Physical measuring devices

Determining Effects from CleaningMeasuring Particles and Moisture

Airborne particle countersMeasure both physical and biological particles

Moisture detectorsNon-destructive Moisture Meters - impedance Humidity – hygrometers and humidity indicator cards

Physical measuring devices

Determining Effects from CleaningMeasuring Particles and Moisture

Biological Air MonitoringImpaction samplers that can use RODAC® Plates

SAS (Surface Air System)Can be used with ATP swab and micro pore

filter

Agar Settling Plates – to measure the extent of spray.

Chemical measuring devices

Determining Solution and Surface Chemistry

pH - Measure change before and after cleaning.Paper Test Strips and pH pens

Sanitizer indicator papers

Spot Tests - Color change indicators (+/-)Urine detector – Urease papersOrganic residue – surface hygiene

Biological monitoring

Determining Bio-pollution Measuring Microbe Numbers

RODAC® Plates (Replicate Organism Detection And

Counting)Direct contact on flat or slightly rounded surfacesIncubate at ambient temp, then at 36°C

Swabs and wipes - For uneven surfaces

Biological monitoring

Determining Bio-pollution Measuring “Organic” Cleanliness

ATP (adenosine triphosphate)Monitors Must use an area template Sampling technique important

ATP is ideally suited for evaluating:HousekeepingDecontaminationSanitization

ATP Monitoring Devices

ATP monitors detect all materials of plant or animal origin, including bacteria and fungi.

• Therefore, ATP detects everything; it is a “dirt test”.• Clean surfaces show low levels of total ATP. On the low

end of sensitivity, most test kits will detect an equivalent to about 1,000 bacterial cells.

• It is therefore safe to assume that light output (in the luminometer) greater than 2 to 3 times background of a clean surface, indicates that the area tested is contaminated with biological material.

ATP Monitoring Devices

What it is and what it does:• The monitoring device consists of a swab, reagent

and luminometer.• ATP reacts with two firefly enzymes that produce

light. • Luciferin and Luciferase

• The light is displayed in RLU (Relative Light Unit) values.

• The more photons, the greater the light output.

ATP Devices

Selection of ATP Monitoring Systems

• The system should be easy to use. The simpler, the better.• If the unit goes into the field, the swabs and reagents should

be temperature stable and have a minimum shelf life of one year from date of manufacture.

• The swab system should not be overly sensitive to light under regular use conditions.

• Look for a swab system that allows for complete sampling.

ATP Devices

… More on Selection

• The cell lysing reagent in the swab system should rapidly disrupt fungal cells including the more resistant mold spores and yeast cells as well as bacterial and eukaryotic cells.

• To monitor several different environments for ATP at an inspection site, the system should be able to use different specialized swabs from the same manufacturer. These may include ATP monitoring for allergens and water purity (although these swabs need to be kept refrigerated).

Test Validation

Each situation serves as its own control.• Develop “before” and “after” trending (ICM).• Develop “target” patterns.• Finite numerical outcomes are unfeasible.• Follow scientific sampling methodology.

• Defensible and repeatable strategies.• ANSI/ASQ Z1.4 – 2003 (MIL-STD-105E)

• Encourage data sharing.• DO NOT use monitoring data punitively.

Customer-Oriented Facility Measurement

What the Customer Wants

Satisfaction

Costs

AppearanceContamination

October 9, 2008Presented by:

Beth BittenbenderElliott Affiliates, Ltd.

Integrated Customer-Centered Performance Measurement Model

Elements Rationale Measure Strategy

ImageMotivating

Work EnvironmentCustomer-Focused

Attributes Inspection

SatisfactionComplaint Reduction Complaints

Rating ScareSurveys

Logs

ContaminationHealthy Environment Contamination Levels Testing: ATP,

Particle Count, etc.

CostBest Value and

Financial Health Dollars Budget

October 9, 2008Presented by:

Beth BittenbenderElliott Affiliates, Ltd.

Image: Metrics

Customer-Driven Attributes:LitterDustCorners and DetailStreaks and ResidueBuild-up and NeglectShine and Surface GlossSpotsLint and FiberUn-stocked

Unacceptable Conditions – DEFECTS

Green Certification

1. Products (environmental sustainability)2. Performance (efficacy)3. People (competency)4. Processes & Operations (cleaning

greener)5. Buildings & Operations (energy

conservation and building design)

Green ProductsDfE (USEPA)

EcoLogo (Canada)

Green Seal (product certification)

GreenGuard (indoor air quality)

More Green Products

IBEL (Information Based Environmental Label)‐

(International Sanitary Supply Association)

UL

NSF International (CleanGredients®)

EPA DfE

• The EPA DfE Program is for product formulators.• DfE screens each ingredient for potential human health and

environmental effects; the product must contain only those ingredients that are least harmful in their class.

• DfE provide formulators information on safer substitutes for chemicals of concern.

• The program will be strengthened by annual desk or paper audits and on-site audits every three years.

• CleanGredients® is a key resource – it’s a database of environmentally preferable cleaning product ingredients developed by GreenBlue (NSF) for the EPA.

EcoLogoThe EcoLogo™ program – under Canada’s Environmental Choice - is a North

American multi-attribute, lifecycle environmental-standard and certification.

Environmental Choice CCD-110, for cleaning and degreasing compounds Environmental Choice CCD-146, for hard surface cleaners Environmental Choice CCD-148, for carpet and upholstery care Environmental Choice CCD-112, for biological digestion additives Environmental Choice CCD-113, for drain or grease trap additives Environmental Choice CCD-115, for odor control additives Environmental Choice CCD-147, for hard floor care Environmental Choice CCD-82, for toilet tissue Environmental Choice CCD-86, for hand towels Environmental Choice CCD-104, for hand cleaners and hand soaps

Green SealThe Green Seal® program is a North American multi-attribute, lifecycle

environmental-standard and certification. Green Seal is a Type I eco-label, as defined by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

Green Seal has established a standard and certification process for environmentally preferable cleaning services (GS-42).

Cleaning Products for Industrial and Institutional Use GS-37 Floor Care Products (Floor Strippers and Finishes) for

Industrial and Institutional Use GS-40 Hand Cleaners for Industrial and Institutional Use GS-41 Paper Towels and Napkins GS-9 Tissue Paper GS-1

GREENGUARD

The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI) was founded in 2001 and seeks to protect human health through programs that reduce chemical exposure and improve indoor air quality.

• GEI oversees third-party certification programs that identify acceptable product emission standards and certify low-emitting products.

• GEI also establishes building standards designed to control mold and moisture.

GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified®A product certification program for low-emitting building materials, furniture, furnishings, finishes, cleaning products, electronics and consumer products.

GREENGUARD Children & Schools(SM) CertifiedA certification program for low-emitting building materials, furniture, finishes, cleaning products, electronics and consumer products in environments where children and sensitive populations spend extended periods of time.

IBEL

Information-Based Environmental Labeling (IBEL)

ISSA’s IBEL Program serves as a single environmental label.

Help purchasers make informed decisions Harmonize product data gathering and how it appears on labels Expand third-party verification to products not represented in

current third-party labeling systems “Reward continuous improvement by innovative manufacturers

producing leadership products that continue to reduce potential adverse health and environmental impacts.” [Source: ISSA]

UL®

UL Environment (ULE) offers Environmental Claims Validation™ (ECV), a service for testing and validating manufacturers’ self-declared environmental claims, and Sustainable Products Certification™ (SPC), a service for testing and certifying products to accepted industry standards for environmental sustainability. Here’s a partial list of claims:

Recycled contentRapidly renewable materialsVolatile organic compound (VOC) emissionsVolatile organic compound (VOC) contentEnergy efficiencyWater efficiencyHazardous or toxic substancesMold resistanceDegradability

Performance certification Not certifications in the formal sense, but helps us

select products that work. Help answer – “It may be green, but does it clean?”

CRI (Carpet and Rug Institute) Seal of Approval

IEHA High Performance Cleaning Product (HPCP) with UMass Lowell TURI Lab

Integrated Cleaning and Measurement (ICM)

CRI Seal of Approval

The CRI Seal of Approval (S0A) program identifies effective carpet cleaning equipment and solutions:

o Vacuum Cleanerso Extractors and Truck Mountso Cleaning Solutions / Carpet Spotting Productso Carpet Cleaning Systems (solutions and equipment)

IEHA - HPCP

IEHA High Performance Cleaning Product (HPCP) works with UMass Lowell TURI Lab

NOT a certification, but a recognition program. Green certified or recognized products already must meet minimum performance standards…

The High Performance Cleaning Product (HPCP) recognition is the International Executive Housekeepers Association’s (IEHA’s) voluntary fee-based program which tests green hard surface cleaning product performance on real-world soils.

ICM

Integrated Cleaning and Measurement

NOT a certification, but a way to measure outcomes.Integrated Cleaning and Measurement (ICM) is an open-source

system in which ‘best practices’ are defined by scientific measurement of cleaning outcomes.

(Certification program pending through IEHA)

Certification of People

CIMS-ISSA Certification Expert (ICE)(Cleaning Industry Management Standard)

CRI Seal of Approval (SOA) Service Provider

Green Cleaning University (GCU) – Green Cleaning Professional (GCP)

CIMS-ICE

CIMS "ISSA Certification Experts" (I.C.E.) provide training and consulting services to cleaning organizations interested in complying with and preparing to be certified to the Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CIMS).

Teaching cleaning professionals to be teachers…

CRI SOA Service Provider

o Service Providers that utilize Seal of Approval Products (equipment, solutions, cleaning systems) are recognized by the Carpet and Rug Institute as SOA certified Service Providers.

o Helps ensure carpet warranties remain valid since more carpet manufacturers link their warranties to the use of SOA products.

o CRI recommends participants be certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), an independent certification body that sets industry standards for cleaning firms and their employees.

o CRI has established a "code of conduct" requiring certified providers to uphold a high standard of accountability, responsibility and customer service.

Green Cleaning University (GCU) Green Cleaning Professional (GCP)

ISSA Green Cleaning University (GCU) trains and certifies cleaning professionals to become ISSA Green Cleaning Professionals.

Students must complete the five core courses and pass the accompanying final exam from each module.

GC 101 Defining Green and Green Cleaning SGC 101 How to Prospect for Green Accounts SGC 102 Building the Green Bundle GCO 101 Conducting the Green Building Audit GCO 102 Writing the Green Building Audit Report.

Green Processes and Operations

CIMS and CIMS-GB

GS-42

LEED-EBOM(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)(Existing Buildings: Operations and Management)

CIMS & CIMS-GB

The Standard is based on universally accepted management principles and consists of five sections of management best practices:

1. Quality Systems2. Service Delivery3. Human Resources4. Health, Safety, and Environmental Stewardship5. Management Commitment

The Cleaning Industry Management Standard & Certification (CIMS) Program includes: "Green Building" (GB) criteria and an optional GB designation to help meet the

demand for "Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design" (LEED) certification. CIMS-GB offers cleaning organizations a certification that helps those operations

green their systems and provide their customers or facilities what they need to secure points under the LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance (LEED-EBOM) Green Building Rating System.

GS-42The Green Seal Environmental Standard for Commercial and Institutional

Cleaning Services GS-42 establishes environmental requirements for cleaning service providers to create a green cleaning program that protects human health and the environment.

The standard takes a systems approach with cleaning: Tools and products used for cleaning (what is used for cleaning) Staff training and planning (how cleaning is done) Environmental improvements that reduce toxicity, waste, and human

exposure.

Other Green Seal Operations Standards Lodging Properties GS-33 Restaurants and Food Services GS-46

LEED-EBOM

LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance (LEED-EBOM)

“LEED-EBOM is based on a set of voluntary performance standards for the sustainable ongoing operations of existing buildings. LEED-EBOM certification is based on actual building operating performance as it relates to:

– Building exterior and site maintenance programs;– Efficient and optimized use of energy and water;– Purchase of environmentally preferred products and food;– Waste stream management;– Ongoing indoor environmental quality; and– Green cleaning programs [Source: ISSA]”

The green cleaning provisions of LEED-EBOM parallel Green Seal’s GS-42

Defining Chemical Free Cleaning

The act of cleaning must leave no residual chemical, in the air or on any surface:

• No residual means no post cleaning contamination,• No chemicals dumped into our environment, • No aggravation of occupant immune system disorders,• No worker chemical injuries.

Chemical Free Cleaning means:

zero residual chemical!

Chemical-Free Cleaning

Chemical Free Cleaning for the Commercial Environment:

• Electrically Altered Water–Activated Water–Electrolyzed Water

• Dry Steam• Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2)

Other Chemical-Free Housekeeping Tools

• Liquid Ozone: Water + O3

• Ultraviolet Light: UVC = 254Å

• Air Purification– High Efficiency Particulate Arrester (HEPA) Filters– Photocatalyzing Filters: UV + Electrolyzed Water

• Microfiber Cloths: Wet or dry• Self-cleaning surfaces: TiO2 + UV light• Entry and Floor matting: fiber technology