MENOMONEE FALLS, WIS.—The global pandemic of Covid-19 is fast tracking infection control technologies and products in public restrooms. “While cleanliness has always been a goal in designing restrooms, coronavirus has underscored the need for hygienic, sterile and safe environments,” said Jon Dommisse, Director of Strategy and Corporate Development, Bradley Corp., a global manufacturer of restroom equipment. Companies, educational institutions and municipalities are all now evaluating new procedures and products for their restroom facilities. “Businesses are looking at short-term and long-term fixes for operating safely,” said Michelle Kempen WRID, WELL AP, ASID, with Kahler Slater, a Milwaukee-based architectural firm. “The goal is to...

LINCOLNSHIRE, ILL.—As businesses around the country reopen amid the ongoing pandemic, LG Business Solutions USA has expanded its suite of Health Protocol Solutions, introducing new digital signage packages that give businesses eye-catching platforms to provide information, guidance, wayfinding and interactive experiences. Digital signage display leader LG partnered with other technology leaders to offer an array of new options including wellness kiosks, occupancy management systems, portable battery-operated solutions, and even contact-less interactive digital signage displays. “Digital signage solutions are enabling businesses to be flexible and accommodating while the nation responds to changing public health guidance and varying in-store regulations,” said Dan...

PAUL, MINN.—Ecolab Inc., a global leader in water, food safety and infection prevention solutions and services, launched the Ecolab Science Certified Program. Using a comprehensive, science-based approach, Ecolab Science Certified combines advanced chemistry with new public health training and audit verification to deliver a high standard of cleanliness for public health and food safety required due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ecolab Science Certified Program strengthens consumer confidence by: Creating clean through hospital-grade disinfecting products, food-contact cleaning and sanitizing products, solutions that address the most common sources of infection transmission, and elevated hygiene standards and protocols informed by the Centers for...

The wrong lists keep getting longer—the list of hand sanitizer products that are labeled to contain ethanol but have tested positive for methanol contamination, and the list of accidental poisonings attributed to hand sanitizer. The Federal Drug Administration’s list of improperly labeled hand sanitizer was up to 94 entries as of this writing. Every entry I saw on the list was made in Mexico. I am not aware of any improperly labeled sanitizer being sold to hotels but please be careful about what you buy and where you buy it. Some of the improperly labeled sanitizer was sold at Walmart...

HOLLYWOOD, FLA.—Hard Rock International announced the implementation of a new health and safety plan for Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos, as locations begin to reopen worldwide in compliance with global, national, and local health officials. Hard Rock Hotels globally have implemented SAFE + SOUND, a new program developed by a team of hospitality and gaming experts in collaboration with worldwide health and sanitization specialists, including Ecolab and NSF International, formerly known as the National Sanitation Foundation, to help keep guests and team members safe and healthy. Under the new SAFE + SOUND standards established by Hard Rock, each hotel...

CINCINNATI—The Procter & Gamble Co. announced a new commitment to have its global operations be carbon neutral for the decade through a series of interventions that protect, improve and restore nature. Recognizing the next decade represents a critical window for the world to accelerate progress on climate change, P&G will go beyond its existing Science Based Target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent by additionally advancing a portfolio of natural climate solutions. These efforts will deliver a carbon benefit that balances any remaining emissions over the next 10 years, allowing P&G operations to be carbon neutral for...

SINGAPORE—For more than 100 years, Hilton hotels around the world have set the stage for the world’s most coveted and important meetings, events and entertainment gatherings—from star-laden award shows and movie sets to energetic political conventions, global conferences and wow-worthy weddings. Today, that tradition continues—even at a safe distance. To address safe group travel practices and evolve today’s event experience, Hilton announced a global, industry-leading cleanliness and customer service program specific to meetings and events. Hilton EventReady with CleanStay is the next phase of the company’s recently launched Hilton CleanStay and was shaped by extensive research and feedback. “At Hilton, we’ve always believed...

MIAMI—Shores Global, a leading cruise line interior designer and furniture supplier, announced that it has expanded its portfolio to include Spry Therapeutics’ soft-surface filter technology, Pneumapure. This strategic alliance will allow Shores Global to promote the patented filter technology to the cruise and hospitality industry, throughout the United States. The introduction of Spry’s germ-blocking solution in the United States also enables Shores to provide safer, cleaner and more sustainable soft goods to cruise lines on a global scale, without compromising comfort. The emergence and spread of COVID-19 around the United States and the globe has spurred calls for new methods...

NEWARK, DEL.—As states grapple with a surge in COVID-19 cases, does that mean we will start using disinfectants everywhere and anywhere? According to a June 2020 report released in Bloomberg Law, “businesses across the U.S. have begun intensive COVID-19 disinfection regimes exposing workers and consumers to chemicals that are largely untested for human health.”* The report says this is “alarming health and environmental safety experts,” because disinfectants can be harmful to cleaning workers as well as building users. Health risks include neurological, dermatological, and reproductive problems as well as an array of respiratory ailments. These businesses almost certainly believe they are doing...

LAS VEGAS—Dallas based metal shop NoContactKey recently announced its launch of their clean touch germ key for the gaming industry. The owner of the company, Don Douglas shares excitement as they help gamblers get back to the casinos. Currently, the NoContactKey is the No. 1 hygiene tool already supplying most of the country with their no touch hand tools. NoContactKey’s shop is a large-scale production processing thousands of orders a day. The NoContactKey is a No Contact door opener tool stylus and germ-free door opener key made of metal antimicrobial brass. The NoContactKey will work as a germ-free key tool and clean-key. Because of...