VISTA, CALIF.—During the pandemic, we learned several good restroom habits that kept us healthy. However, public health officials are concerned that many of these protective measures are now being tossed out the window. “Even when restroom surfaces look clean, they may be little more than a Petri dish,” says Klaus Reichardt, CEO and Founder of Waterless Co., Inc. marketers of no-water urinals. “With so many surfaces, counters, knobs, and handles in public restrooms, it’s hard not to come in contact with surface contaminants.” Making matters worse, toilet and urinal plume—the releasing of germs and bacteria into the air when toilets or urinals are flushed—continually...

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA—CodeSteri, a leading provider of disinfection solutions, announced the launch of PlaClin-M, a device designed to help ensure a clean and safe environment in offices, commercial establishments, and public spaces. CodeSteri started from the Korean government project to combat new infectious diseases by the incumbent professor and MD of Hanyang University Emergency Medicine, Seoul. PlaClin-M uses advanced plasma technology to quickly and effectively disinfect any surface and space in a matter of minutes. CodeSteri, with a $4.2M grant from the Korean government, developed PlaClin after five years of R&D efforts with top experts in related fields commencing from 2015 when Mers hit Korea...

CHANNEL ISLANDS, CALIF.—As we enter a post-COVID era in commercial cleaning, it is important to note that some schools and commercial facilities are beginning to forget all they learned about effective and thorough cleaning. This includes realizing the value and health benefits of green cleaning, according to Steve Ashkin, long known as the “Father of Green Cleaning.” “Every day, I hear about organizations cutting back on their cleaning staff or asking their workers to clean more square feet in the same amount of time,” says Ashkin. “Asking fewer workers to do more in a shorter amount of time is a setup...

SOLNA, SWEDEN—The use of air cleaners has become more frequent during the pandemic, but how effective are they at fighting viruses? A joint study by the Virus Research Centre at Sendai Medical Center and QleanAir Japan center has succeeded in measuring this. The result shows that the QleanAir FS 30 air cleaner can remove over 95 percent of airborne virus particles in only 10 minutes. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the question of whether airborne viruses can be eliminated from indoor air was raised. A joint study conducted by Sendai Medical Center and QleanAir Japan has succeeded in measuring the impact...

The idea for the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating system was hatched almost 30 years ago in 1993. Today, there are more than 100,000 buildings participating in the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) certification program. Approximately 1,000 of those buildings are lodgings located around the world. According to USGBC, “LEED certified buildings are proven to save money, improve efficiency, lower carbon emissions, and create healthier places for people. They are a critical part of addressing the climate crisis, meeting ESG goals, enhancing resilience, and supporting more equitable communities.” The most recent version of LEED is LEED...

CYPRESS, CALIF.—As we continue to see relaxed COVID-19 restrictions—leaving the onus of safety in the hands of business operators, owners and facilities managers—global visual technologies company Christie has introduced its newest CE- and UL- certified commercial UVC-LED disinfection light fixture for occupied, indoor spaces. Christie CounterAct UR10 with UVC-LED and patented Care222 far-UVC - plus visible light, in a single unit, is recommended for commercial offices, government facilities, schools, transit hubs, retail shops, and medical buildings—for enhanced and safe airborne and surface disinfection wherever people gather indoors, in public places. CounterAct UR10 builds on the release of the CA20, Christie’s...

BOSTON—Force of Nature, the toxin-free cleaning brand on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in America, launched their new commercial-sized Force of Nature Pro for businesses and organizations of all sizes including spas, hospitals, schools, health clubs, hotels, and more. The brand is making it easier for businesses and organizations to make their facilities toxin-free and sustainable by helping them eliminate single-use plastic bottles and reduce their plastic waste by 97 percent. Force of Nature Pro is an appliance that uses electricity to convert tap water, plus a capsule of salt, water & vinegar, into an all-in-one multi-surface...

For years the EPA has been relaying evidence that indoor air can be more seriously polluted than outdoor air even in the largest and most industrialized cities. Given that people spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors, that is not a good thing—especially for the young, the elderly and the chronically ill. These groups often spend time in your hotels. With the coming of COVID-19 and its many related variants, air quality (and surface quality) has finally got the attention it deserves, says Randy Mount, Owner & CEO of Extreme Microbial Technologies, who I spoke with for this column....

ORLANDO, FLA.—While COVID-19 raised awareness about the importance of indoor air quality and effective disinfection practices, the mass use of chemical disinfectants and wipes also poses a threat to the environment. However, companies can adopt sustainable cleaning practices that protect against current and future threats while still protecting the planet for future generations. Violet Defense, a UV disinfection company with patented and proven technology to help make the world healthier, is playing a role in this critical effort through its ultraviolet (UV) germ-fighting offerings. Violet Defense replaces the need for chemical disinfectants, which have detrimental effects on health and the environment and are...

ROSEMONT, ILL.—The Global Biorisk Advisory Council, (GBAC), a Division of ISSA, announced that Dr. Deborah Birx, world-renowned medical physician, infectious disease expert, and diplomat, will be the keynote speaker at the GBAC Symposium on Air Considerations, August 16 to 17, at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. The inaugural GBAC Symposium will bring together scientists and industry thought leaders to share innovations and best practices for improving indoor air quality in nonhealthcare settings. “The GBAC Symposium is our next step in driving innovation and advancement to make our world safer,” said GBAC Senior Director Michael Diamond. “This event will bring together environmental safety and...