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...

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS—GenEon, a leading provider of eco-friendly products and sustainable cleaning and disinfecting systems, announced they’ve launched their new “Genius of GenEon” experience. It’s an interactive and educational community via GenEon’s web platform that aims to educate the market, general public, and distributors about the efficiencies of utilizing sustainable cleaning and disinfecting solutions using the latest technology to exceed hygiene standards within buildings without risk. The Genius of GenEon experience promotes healthier living and is against the use of harmful chemical disinfectants and cleaners. GenEon advocates that organizations use renewable and eco-friendly products that generate natural and safe cleaners and...

CHICAGO—Blueair, a leader in air purification for home and professional use, and the Allergy & Asthma Network, a nonprofit organization advocating on behalf of the 60 million Americans with allergies, asthma and related conditions, announced a long-term partnership stemming from the organizations’ shared purpose to support the health and well-being of those patients and communities most in need, specifically patients impacted by poor air quality. “Blueair was founded on the belief that the freedom to breathe is a basic right. Our mission has always been to provide clean air, with the health of generations to come top of mind,” said...

CHICAGO—Luminii, a leader in the germicidal ultraviolet (GUV) LED lighting space, announced that it is helping businesses including gyms, restaurants, medical offices and daycares around the country. With more than a decade of architectural LED product innovation, Luminii’s germicidal upper air system called Purifii is a contact-free, low-profile GUV product that kills the COVID-19 virus as well as other airborne viruses and bacteria that may be circulating in high-traffic indoor spaces. Since February 28, when Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot rescinded the city’s indoor mask mandate, some Chicago businesses welcomed customers back to restaurants, gyms, and retail establishments with extra risk mitigation layers designed to protect air quality and kill...

ORLANDO, FLA.—The pandemic did many bad things to the hospitality industry and its related organizations. One of the organizations that suffered the most was Clean the World, the Orlando, Fla. based nonprofit that is dependent on donations of soap, amenity bottles, financial support, and volunteers to keep its mission rolling. “The donation drop off was more than 75 percent during the pandemic,” says Robert Montgomery, Clean the World’s VP Product Development. “Clean the World laid off 80 percent of staff. We almost had to close our doors.” Corporate events, at which groups assemble hygiene kits, came to a complete...

ODESSA, FLA.—Green Lodging News has added Healthway to the “Air Filtration/Purification” section of its Green Product & Service Directory. Located in Upstate New York, Healthway designs and engineers scalable, efficient air cleaning solutions for any environment. For hospitality, Healthway has innovated to protect customers and staff from the spread of airborne viruses. The company’s complete line of air purification solutions is built to solve indoor air quality challenges specific to hosting guests in a hotel space. From plug and play portable units to HVAC retrofit systems, Healthway applies its expertise to outfit a hotel’s environment, wherever that may be. Call (315) 298-2904 or e-mail ccobb@healthway.com for...

ODESSA, FLA.—Green Lodging News has added a new video from Advanced Vapor Technologies to the Featured Vendor Video section of its website home page. The video explains the technology at the heart of the company’s steam vapor cleaning systems—TANCS. TANCS stands for Thermal Accelerated Nano Crystal Sanitation, a factory-installed internal component that uses the minerals found in tap water to break down pathogens at a molecular level including viruses, bacteria, and fungi. It is designed to kill microscopic organic matter in just seconds. In a study published in the American Journal of Infection Control, researchers in the School of Environmental...

In case you missed it, earlier this month, the Biden-Harris Administration released the National COVID-19 Preparedness Plan, a roadmap to move the country forward safely and continue to fight COVID-19 as Americans get back to their more normal routines. Of course, a big part of getting back to normal is improving air quality in whatever dwelling we happen to be in—hotels included. As part of its Preparedness Plan, on March 17, the Administration launched the Clean Air in Buildings Challenge. It calls on all building owners and operators to assess their indoor air quality and make ventilation and air filtration...