CHICAGO—Culligan, a leading provider of advanced filtration and water softening solutions, recently unveiled its High Efficiency (HE) Water Softener as part of its Culligan Matrix Solutions water treatment systems, which provide greater flexibility, speed to market and cost savings to commercial companies. Culligan’s HE Water Softener offers commercial users a range of advanced features and options based on their unique water usage and quality requirements. Its unique design addresses the most common user concerns such as: operating, labor and maintenance costs, as well as the impact of poor water quality on operational efficiency and customer service levels. “Selecting the right...

Many of us would assume that if a cleaning chemical has already been labeled green by a leading certification organization it must be pretty safe, assuming it is used correctly as instructed. This is true, at least in comparison to many conventional cleaning products used for the same or similar purposes. However, these days I think we need to take this a step further. We need to know more specifically what is in the cleaning chemicals we are using, green or not. This “ingredient disclosure” appears to be one of the next big developments in the professional cleaning industry. There are...

ATLANTA—Zep Sales & Service, a unit of Zep Inc., introduces its latest Zep Dilution Solution: Safe2Dose. The new closed-loop, concentrated chemical dispensing system helps facilities comply with green cleaning mandates in a safe and cost-effective manner. “Safe2Dose meets the needs of facilities that like the economy of concentrated cleaning chemicals, but have concerns about employee safety, environmental safety and waste,” says Deborah Heilig-Roach, category manager, Zep Sales & Service, who points to an EPA statistic noting that U.S. institutions spend more than $75 million a year on medical expenses and lost-time wages for janitors because of chemical related injuries. Safe2Dose provides...

BLOOMINGTON, IND.—A new study published in the British journal Fungal Biology reports that potentially pathogenic fungi including a type of “black yeast” are now able to live in extreme conditions such as in dishwashers.* According to researchers, these same pathogens may also be found in other appliances such as washing machines and coffee makers because all can provide a moist environment in which the pathogens can grow. The study, which involved private homes located in 101 cities on six continents, also reported: • The fungi were found on the rubber seal that lines the inside of the door on 62 percent of...

ORLANDO, FLA.—BedBug Chasers and Avtron LoadBank have commenced their nationwide rental program of bed bug heaters starting with the North Carolina to Boston corridor. The program utilizes equipment rental companies who, in turn, assemble complete trailer packages, which contain all of the equipment needed to remediate an infested area. While the packages are available to rent exclusively through Bedbug Chasers, the complete trailers will be stored at strategic rental company depots throughout the United States. Avtron LoadBank will be supplying its patent pending, 100 percent green and chemical-free, high-temperature electric thermal remediation heaters known as the BedBug Chaser. The participating...

SNOWMASS, COLO.—Viceroy Snowmass, which opened to rave reviews in late 2009, announced that it has been awarded LEED Gold certification, established by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). LEED is the nation’s preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. Viceroy Snowmass is the first hotel in Aspen/Snowmass to be awarded LEED Gold as well as the first luxury hotel in Colorado to receive this prestigious designation. By incorporating sustainable design and construction, innovative operational practices, and a culture of environmental stewardship, Viceroy Snowmass aims to...

Hotel managers and housekeepers hear quite a bit about green certification, the system that allows end customers to identify green cleaning products. In fact, customers often ask their distributors if the products they recommend are “green certified” or, as some call it, “proven green.” Many cleaning product buyers are also aware that there are now several green certification organizations, including GreenSeal and EcoLogo, as well as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Design for the Environment Program (DfE), which has grown in prominence lately. However, the process a product must undergo to become green certified is probably less well known among...

FORT WORTH, TEXAS—A new study published in the Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine finds that the use of HEPA (high efficiency particle air) filters can reduce the risk of heart and blood vessel disease. The researchers found that the HEPA filters reduce the amount of airborne particulate matter in the air. Doing so results in improved blood flow and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. The tests involved 45 adults and were conducted in 25 Canadian homes over a two-week period. HEPA filtration systems were added to the homes’ heating and HVAC systems. Concentrations of airborne particulates in the...

NIANTIC, CONN.—Hotel engineering teams play a big role in delivering guest satisfaction, and one of their most time consuming tasks is ensuring that guestroom equipment and systems are always ready to deliver a comfortable stay. INNCOM’s new INNcontrol3 solution provides the staff  with real-time monitoring of HVAC and temperature satisfaction and creates alarms for any units that are not operating properly. The system can also monitor humidity levels in each room and uses the existing HVAC equipment to lower humidity levels to a comfortable setting. The system also monitors guestroom network connections and reports non-communicating rooms. The solution will...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that more than 2,500 products are now authorized by the agency under its Design for the Environment (DfE) Safer Product Labeling Program to carry the DfE label. DfE-labeled products do not contain known chemicals of potential concern, like carcinogens, reproductive or developmental toxicants. Even minor product components, like dyes and fragrances, are screened for safety. EPA also announced that it soon will require manufacturers with products that bear the DfE logo to disclose their ingredients to consumers. “EPA’s DfE Program helps empower people to choose products that are safer for their families...