“More Than a Sticker…. You Need a Partner!”
ESNJ’s Updated Response for Returning to Workplaces Amid the Covid-19 Pandemic
For assistance with Coronavirus Sanitization and Disinfection call 877-761-ESNJ (3765) or inquire below.
CLICK HERE TO INQUIRE
ESNJ pre-emptively sanitizing Jenkinson’s in Point Pleasant Beach NJ.
Current Situation
The Pandemic is not showing signs of slowing down, and the world as we know it has obviously changed, seemingly, overnight. Businesses and the American Economy have been put on hold and now all of us are ready to get back to work. Or are we?
Businessowners are in for a rude awakening if they think it will be business as usual, after this Covid 19 paradigm shift. Similar to the happenings of 9-11, people are going to be on high alert and overly cautious, when it comes to infectious diseases.
An overload of information, some true and some not, and all fluid, has created pandemonium from the pandemic. Shaking hands and “hello hugs” may become ill- received and considered rude or ignorant, as opposed to their original intent. A cough or a sneeze may now send shivers down the spines of people in the same proximity of someone with mere allergies. People will be wrongly rumored as “Having the Covid” every time they get the sniffles. This new heightened sense of “awareness” will need to be diminished and mitigated over time by Federal, State and Local Governments and also by You…. the facility manager. Genuine “peace of mind” will be in high demand from customers, parents and employees, alike.
In addition, under The General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) Act of 1970, 29 USC 654(a)(1), which requires employers to furnish to each worker “employment and a place of employment, which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm,” and the Bloodborne Pathogen standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) which applies to occupational exposure to human blood and other potentially infectious materials, employers will have to step up their game, when it comes to safety and providing their workers with a healthy workplace.
It will be highly detrimental to anyone that does not get ahead of the curve here. We need to make changes in our business models, including our budgets, in order to avoid the many new hazards of the future. We will need to provide our customers, occupants, and workforce with multiple safeguards to this viral attack, as well as others in the future.
As with all mitigation efforts, avoiding hazards will have to include engineering & environmental controls, administrative controls and personal protective equipment for the occupants.
December, 2005
Management of patients infected with airborne-spread diseases:
An algorithm for infection control professionals.
Purpose statement: This article’s purpose is to provide infection control professionals (ICP), health care epidemiologists, or hospital disaster planners an algorithm for patient management following a bioterrorism attack or naturally occurring infectious disease outbreak that is airborne spread, such as smallpox, SARS, and TB. This algorithm will guide users on proper patient management and placement to decrease secondary exposure risk.
April, 2020
ASHRAE Position Document on Infectious Aerosols
ASHRAE recommends with at least fair evidence the implementation of Portable free standing
HEPA room air cleaners. They do so twice. First, in general, based on risk assessments and then again, specifically as a building modification in non-healthcare facilities
April, 2020
July 4, 2020
239 Scientists tell the world- You got it wrong!
In early July, 239 scientists from 32 countries wrote an open letter to “appeal to the medical community and to the relevant national and international bodies to recognize the potential for airborne spread of COVID-19… scientists have demonstrated beyond any reasonable doubt that viruses are released during exhalation, talking, and coughing in microdroplets small enough to remain aloft in air and pose a risk of exposure at
distances beyond 1 to 2 m from an infected individual ……For example, at typical indoor air velocities a 5 μm droplet will travel tens of meters, much greater than the scale of a typical room, while settling from a height of 1.5 m to the floor. Several retrospective studies conducted after the SARS-CoV-1 epidemic demonstrated that airborne transmission was the most likely mechanism explaining the spatial pattern of infections …The current guidance from numerous international and national bodies
focuses on hand washing, maintaining social distancing, and droplet precautions…. Hand washing and social distancing are appropriate, but in our view, insufficient to provide protection from virus-carrying respiratory microdroplets released into the air by infected people. This problem is especially acute in indoor or enclosed environments, particularly those that are crowded and have inadequate ventilation relative to the number of occupants and extended exposure periods…….
Following the precautionary principle, we must address every potentially important pathway to slow the spread of COVID-19. The measures that should be taken to mitigate airborne transmission risk include:
- Provide sufficient and effective ventilation (supply clean outdoor air, minimize recirculating air) particularly in public buildings, workplace environments, schools, hospitals, and aged care
- Supplement general ventilation with airborne infection controls such as local exhaust, high efficiency air filtration, and germicidal ultraviolet lights.
- Avoid overcrowding, particularly in public transport and public buildings
This matter is of heightened significance now, when countries are re-opening following lockdowns – bringing people back to workplaces and students back to schools, colleges, and universities. We hope that our statement will raise awareness that airborne transmission of COVID-19 is a real risk and that control measures, as outlined above, must be added to the other precautions taken, to reduce the severity of the pandemic and save lives
July 23, 2020
Face Coverings Work Best With Multiple Layers, Study Finds-
Scientists in Australia compared the effectiveness of single and double-layer cloth face coverings with a surgical mask. Using a tailored LED lighting system and high-speed video camera, they showed a single layer reduced the spread of droplets from speaking, but less than a double layer. A double layer was also “significantly better” at reducing the droplet spread caused by coughing and sneezing, though a three-ply surgical mask was the best among all the tested scenarios, researchers led by Raina MacIntyre at the University of New South Wales in Sydney said in a paper published Thursday in the journal Thorax.
July 23, 2020
July 30, 2020
Dr. Anthony Fauci says goggles would provide ‘complete’ Covid- 19 protection
Wearing goggles or eye shields in addition to a mask might be a good idea to avoid Covid-19, White House advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci said during an interview on Instagram Live Wednesday. “Theoretically, you should protect all the mucosal surfaces,” Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told ABC News Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton. That includes your nose, mouth and eyes. “So if you have goggles or an eye shield, you should use it.”
July 31, 2020
Children can carry 10-100 x’s the genetic material of the virus
A recent study, published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics, showed that “younger children seemed to have a higher amount of viral load in their nose, compared to older children and adults,” Dr. Taylor Heald-Sargent, a pediatric infectious diseases specialist at Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, told CNN. “The question was still out there: Could it be possibly transmitted from kids?” she said, noting that absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.
“If other respiratory viruses are any indication, she said, the answer may very well be yes.”
“Any grade-school teacher or pediatrician will tell you, [young children] are pretty effective little vectors of virus transmission, because we get sick a lot in the winter from these kids,” she said. “I think looking at other viruses that are similar …it would seem more likely that kids will be transmitting.”
Two other recent studies in Germany and France demonstrated similar findings.
July 31, 2020
What does all of this mean?
- It means that we must implement a multi-faceted approach that will address each possible pathway to slow the spread of Covid-19.
- It means that we use environmental controls that address both surface decontamination as well as air filtration.
- It means that when we have occupants, we use administrative and work practice controls to reduce interaction with multiple occupants. (i.e.: Move teachers from room to room, as opposed to students)
- It means that we have to develop and enforce protocols that help reduce the risk of secondary transmission.
- It means that, as information is received, we must re-evaluate current measures to make certain that we are implementing the proper “Best Practices,” that will address our up to date risk.
Surface Decontamination & Secondary Protective Coating-
Most people understand the necessity of disinfecting facilities and providing a safe workplace for occupants. However, they also understand that disinfection only lasts until another infected person enters the premises and re-contaminates the structure.
ESNJ and its CDR partners have a solution! We believe that cleaning and disinfection need to be followed by applying a protective coating that can control the growth of microorganisms and last for months or longer.
To provide an added level of proactive control of microorganisms, we are using a product that is approved by many countries around the world as a long-lasting disinfectant and is currently classified as a “treated article” by the US EPA. This means that under US laws, the manufacturer may only make product claims on its US labels with respect to controlling bacteria, mold mildew and algae that causes surface damage, stains or odors. This same product is approved, registered or has been deemed legally acceptable for public health claims to kill viruses, bacteria, mold , mildew algae, with residual disinfecting properties by the applicable regulatory bodies or in accordance with the laws of: Australia, Brazil, China, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, with other country approvals in process.
After meeting with the EPA’s antimicrobial pesticide division representatives, they believe they are prepared to complete the application process to secure registration as a long-lasting surface disinfectant in the USA.
The chemistry is based on a U.S. EPA registered active ingredient and all products are manufactured in EPA registered facilities. The essence of this chemistry is a surface- bonding “sword-like” invisible molecule with a positive (+) charge that attracts microbes that are negatively (-) charged (opposites attract) and punctures the cell wall to destroy the target organism.
Continued Monitoring of the Efficacy
Validation and monitoring of remediation effectiveness customarily are not part of a cleaning and disinfection program. We think this needs to change, specifically in light of current events. Due to differing environments, daily janitorial procedures, and in order to proceed with an abundance of caution, Validation and Monitoring have become an integral part of our remediation program; intended to signal when contamination begins to reappear, triggering time for repeating the application.
- Quality validation and monitoring is simple to manage with an ATP (Although it does not specifically detect viruses)
- We can schedule visits at set intervals or as and when you request, in order to collect and analyze the degree of surface contamination, if
- When measurements begin to show unacceptable sanitary levels it’s time to consider reapplying a new protective
Adding Environmental Controls- (Air Scrubbers)
Hand washing and social distancing are appropriate, but insufficient to provide protection from virus-carrying respiratory microdroplets released into the air by infected people. This problem is especially acute in indoor or enclosed environments, particularly those that are crowded and have inadequate ventilation, relative to the number of occupants and extended exposure periods. Airborne transmission appears to be the only plausible explanation for several superspreading events investigated which occurred, where recommended precautions related to direct droplet transmissions were followed. Following the precautionary principle, we must address every potentially important pathway to slow the spread of COVID-19. The measures that should be taken to mitigate airborne transmission risk include providing sufficient and effective ventilation (supply clean outdoor air, minimize recirculating air) particularly in public buildings, workplace environments, schools, hospitals, and aged care homes; Supplement general ventilation with airborne infection controls such as local exhaust, Portable HEPA air filtration, and germicidal ultraviolet lights. It is well known that even meticulous observation of protection protocols does not always protect individuals, from contagion. As part of an effort to help fight the Coronavirus out-break, we propose deploying commercial portable air scrubbers with HEPA air filters which can help reduce the secondary transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in locations where contact among people who have unknown or known risks are needed. Air filters are known to reduce the airborne presence of viral particles. Fluid droplets from the cough or sneeze of an infected person are typically 5 microns (5 ∗ 10^−6 m) or larger.∗ HEPA filters reliably capture particles of this size, assuming the particle reaches the filter (these filters capture 99.97% of particles that are 0.3 microns in diameter, with efficiency increasing for both smaller and larger particles).† The smallest particle we might be concerned with is a single virion (unattached to any fluid droplet), having diameter of approximately 0.12 microns.‡ While these are also conceivably filterable by a HEPA filter, ULPA (Ultra-Low Penetration Air) filters are even better, catching 99.99% of particles 0.12 microns and above.† In theory all SARS-CoV-2 virions could be filtered and captured, assuming they can be brought into contact with an air filter.
If your HVAC system does not have in-duct Hepa/Ulpa filtration, then you are certain to hyper-extend any contamination in your facility. When air is pulled from a contaminated room into the HVAC return, it is eventually redistributing air to all rooms in that system or zone. One room could potentially contaminate and expose occupants of an entire facility.
This points to the necessity of reducing the contamination of a room or space, by cycling air through a HEPA or ULPA filter, so as to catch as many virus particles as possible before they attach to a surface. Some viral particles that have already attached to surfaces, might be removed as well. Since the airborne micro-droplets are known to travel tens of meters, much greater than the scale of a typical room, while settling from a height of 1.5 m to the floor; we should place portable air scrubbers down at the lower levels. We also need to create a vortex, to avoid “dead zones,” where air would stagnate.
Airborne transmission of COVID-19 is a real risk and control measures, as outlined above, must be added to the other precautions taken, to reduce the severity of the pandemic and save lives
ESNJ has a large selection of Air Filtration Devices (AFD’s) that can be deployed during the initial disinfection process, as well as becoming an effective long-term tool for continued protection. ESNJ can properly size, design and install air scrubbers for your facility and perform weekly filter changes which would be included at a greatly reduced long-term rate. Just ask us what sort of AFD would work best for your facility.
Stop Putting Your Employees at Risk!
(CDC) -Detailed Cleaning and Disinfection Scope is to be performed by a contractor with the required training and experience; not typically the existing custodial contractor) The contractor performing this work shall be experienced in performing microbial-related remediation or similar work (e.g., crime scene cleanup, mold abatement, etc.) . Contractor staff shall at minimum have current training in blood-borne pathogens, as defined by OSHA (29 C.F.R. 1910.1030).
When are employers going to stop placing untrained, unprotected workers and/or vendors at real risk by allowing them to perform routine cleaning in a Bio-Hazard Situation?! We have to respond to these unprecedented conditions in a way that our litigious society will not be able to come back at us for ESNJ’s employees are trained in Hazwoper 40, Osha 10, Bloodborne Pathogen, Mold Abatement, Confined Workspace, IIRC WRT, IIRC AMRT, ICRA awareness and many have far more training.
Ready to Respond
As stated, this situation is dynamic and changing every hour. As your emergency responder and infectious control expert, we want you to know that:
“When called upon, our trained & certified team is ready to respond to sanitize and disinfect your commercial facility”
The objective of this document is to offer facility directors and municipality leaders a planned response option to re-engage in business during and after the Coronavirus outbreak. We are offering a 3 Phase plan which is mainly based on the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) along with adaptations that are in line with more recent studies.
Phase 1:
Preventative Phase – Following the CDC, EPA, and OSHA guidelines, we will use an approved hospital grade disinfectant to clean & sanitize your facility. Our highly trained team will follow a protocol specific to your facility and situation.
Then, to provide an added level of proactive control of microorganisms, we utilize a secondary protective coating that can control the growth of microorganisms and can last for 6 months or longer. The patented formula bonds on a molecular level with all surfaces in a treated area and continues to kill microbes day after day, week after week.
This treatment works at the microbial level, covering any treated surface with a layer of molecular spikes. These spikes impale bacteria and microbes on contact and continue to protect you for up to one year.
Phase 2: Now that the risk of surface transmission has been addressed, we need to look at the contaminants in the air and the very real hazard that your own HVAC system may impose. Following the precautionary principle, we must address every potentially important pathway to slow the spread of COVID-19. The measures that should be taken to mitigate airborne transmission risk may include: · Provide sufficient and effective ventilation (supply clean outdoor air, minimize recirculating air) particularly in public buildings, workplace environments, schools, hospitals, and aged care homes. · Supplement general ventilation with airborne infection controls such as local exhaust, portable HEPA air scrubbers, and germicidal ultraviolet lights.
Phase 3:
Maintenance Phase – Now that we have addressed both surface and airborne secondary transmission; together as a team, we will monitor this fluid situation to help your facility maintain a safe & healthy status. These steps may include scheduled weekly air filter replacements of placed portable air scrubbers; ATP testing of sanitary levels at your facility, to monitor the effectiveness of ongoing cleaning efforts. Scheduling quarterly or bi-annual treatments of your facility could be an integral part of the long-term goal for a healthy workplace.
As your Emergency Response Priority Partner and infectious control professional, we will continue to stay ahead of this situation and do everything possible to keep the occupants of your facility safe and healthy throughout this event and beyond.
Mission Critical Areas:
We also offer a solution for mission critical areas that need to be sanitized, but cannot have any high humidity, residue or corrosiveness. We utilize the SteraMist technology for data centers, server rooms, office settings and other such highly sensitive, high value areas. SteraMist Binary Ionization Technology® (BIT™) is a patented two-step process that activates and ionizes a 7.8% Hydrogen Peroxide solution. The fine fog created is
called Ionized Hydrogen Peroxide (iHP™). iHP™ contains a high concentration of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), consisting mostly of hydroxyl radicals, which damages pathogenic organisms through oxidation of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids. This leads to cellular disruption and/or dysfunction and allows for disinfection/ decontamination in targeted areas
Some disinfectants are corrosive and can damage electronics if improperly used or even properly used. Disinfectants that are corrosive or toxic require special protective equipment for applicators. The protective equipment is not only determined by disinfectant choice, but also the delivery system such as: electrostatic sprayers, wet fogging, misting, spraying, etc. The different applications produce different OSHA related concerns for applicator safety.
Contractor Requirements
As dictated by OSHA and EPA, both produce requirements and compliance standards for spraying disinfectants in a facility. Our employees are trained in Hazwoper 40, Osha 10, Bloodborne Pathogen, Mold Abatement, Confined Workspace, IIRC WRT, IIRC AMRT, ICRA awareness and many have far more training.
A contractor who applies disinfectant in this situation should have staff that are qualified with the following:
Conclusion:
We are working around the clock to ensure our readiness to respond to your situation. We have the qualified infectious control teams who meet all EPA & OSHA requirements needed to disinfect your facility safely and thoroughly. We have the knowledge, training and experience to respond when called upon. We are constantly researching and adopting technologies that best serve you and your specific needs. We are on call 24/7 until which time we have beaten this virus and our lives have returned to normal.
Our 24/7 emergency hotline is 877-761-ESNJ (3765).
