June 20, 2007 - In a survey conducted in mid-May, Kaivac Inc., developers of the No-Touch CleaningT system, queried 1,600 facility managers, jansan distributors and building service providers on effective cleaning and the potential health risks that germs and bacteria on surface areas pose.
Respondents indicated that the best way to determine if a restroom is "truly clean and sanitary" is to use a device that can indicate and measure the presence of germs and bacteria. However, 58 percent reported they are unaware of any such device — other than an ultra-violet or black light — which can only detect but not measure, the presence of bacteria. Such equipment has indeed been developed and will be available soon.
Among the other findings:
. Fifty percent believed that not all surface-area germs and bacteria are potentially unhealthy, "but if present, they can lead to illness and disease."
. According to NSF International, a public health and safety company, more than 160 million school days are missed each year and could be greatly reduced with proper hand washing and more effective cleaning.
. When asked if the presence of germs and bacteria on floor surfaces was safe as long as children and adults don't actually "touch" the floor, 88 percent indicated false, which is correct. Recent studies report that bacteria and germs found on floor surfaces find their ways on to people's hands once they remove their shoes or pick up a purse lying on the floor.
For more information on the study, contact [email protected]