Using Flat Microfiber Mopping Systems in Hospitals Wendi Shafir USEPA Region 9

1. Can cover all kinds of things – later we’ll talk about green building, which is a monster in itself We want to focus top opportunities – janitorial products. Lots Can cover all kinds of things – later we’ll talk about green building, which is a monster in itself We want to focus top opportunities – janitorial products. Lots

5. This mass of microfibers creates an enormous surface area which accounts for the high absorption rate. Read articles about the technology…This mass of microfibers creates an enormous surface area which accounts for the high absorption rate. Read articles about the technology…

6. This mass of microfibers creates an enormous surface area which accounts for the high absorption rate. Read articles about the technology…This mass of microfibers creates an enormous surface area which accounts for the high absorption rate. Read articles about the technology…

7. 6 MILES of a microfiber strand weighs 1.0 gram Lower weight = More fibers per pad = Better cleaning 6 MILES of a microfiber strand weighs 1.0 gram Lower weight = More fibers per pad = Better cleaning

8. Not all replaceable flat mop heads are sized larger than the mop hardware to allow the “peel” factor. umf Corporation has first implemented this t make further ergonomic improvements.Not all replaceable flat mop heads are sized larger than the mop hardware to allow the “peel” factor. umf Corporation has first implemented this t make further ergonomic improvements.

9. A gallon of water weighs just over 8 lbs. Send to industrial launderA gallon of water weighs just over 8 lbs. Send to industrial launder

12. Yellow cells mean flat mop systems present less ergonomic risk. For all instances, flat mopping is the same or better ergonomically.Yellow cells mean flat mop systems present less ergonomic risk. For all instances, flat mopping is the same or better ergonomically.

16. Should not use bleach or high temperature dryers Should not be laundered with other garments/items “To address your concerns about sticky floors: stickiness on a floor that is using a quat based product usually is attributed to 2 possibilities. First being a HIGHER DILUTION ratio than recommended.  For example, using 6 to 8 ozs per gallon when 2 ozs is listed.  What happens is the level of ammonium chloride is too high and attacks the floor finish which results in a sticky or tacky feeling on the floor.  Second, it is always highly recommended to use a NEUTRAL disinfectant  when mopping floors which is about 1/2 to 1 oz per gallon and does not attack the finish because of the neutral pH.  Although your using a neutral Quat the higher concentration results in a product that can be far from neutral. Assuming that the concentration of disinfectant is stable, the flat mop can only absorb what is in the bucket.  The flat mop can not change or alter the actual concentration of chemical used. Many dispensing systems are calibrated by sales people. Their job is to sell more disinfectant, thus, we often see concentrations at higher levels than recommended.” -- umf Corporation, Traci Cupp, H2E listserve response to question of “sticky floors” associated with flat mop useShould not use bleach or high temperature dryers Should not be laundered with other garments/items “To address your concerns about sticky floors: stickiness on a floor that is using a quat based product usually is attributed to 2 possibilities. First being a HIGHER DILUTION ratio than recommended.  For example, using 6 to 8 ozs per gallon when 2 ozs is listed.  What happens is the level of ammonium chloride is too high and attacks the floor finish which results in a sticky or tacky feeling on the floor.  Second, it is always highly recommended to use a NEUTRAL disinfectant  when mopping floors which is about 1/2 to 1 oz per gallon and does not attack the finish because of the neutral pH.  Although your using a neutral Quat the higher concentration results in a product that can be far from neutral. Assuming that the concentration of disinfectant is stable, the flat mop can only absorb what is in the bucket.  The flat mop can not change or alter the actual concentration of chemical used. Many dispensing systems are calibrated by sales people. Their job is to sell more disinfectant, thus, we often see concentrations at higher levels than recommended.” -- umf Corporation, Traci Cupp, H2E listserve response to question of “sticky floors” associated with flat mop use

17. Should not use bleach or high temperature dryers Should not be laundered with other garments/itemsShould not use bleach or high temperature dryers Should not be laundered with other garments/items

18. Generally assumed that microfiber has a denier of 0.01 to 0.02. A typical one denier polyester fiber has a diameter of 10 microns. Micron(-Sized Fibers) When fiber size is less the 0.3 denier it is best to define the size is terms of its diameter in microns (10-6 meters). Nanofibers Term used for fibers with diameters less than 0.5 microns. Typical nanofibers have a diameters between 50 and 300 nanometers. They can not be seen without visual amplification. Other terms often used are micro-denier, sub-micron and superfine. Human hair has denier of 20 and a strand of silk has a denier of 8Generally assumed that microfiber has a denier of 0.01 to 0.02. A typical one denier polyester fiber has a diameter of 10 microns. Micron(-Sized Fibers) When fiber size is less the 0.3 denier it is best to define the size is terms of its diameter in microns (10-6 meters). Nanofibers Term used for fibers with diameters less than 0.5 microns. Typical nanofibers have a diameters between 50 and 300 nanometers. They can not be seen without visual amplification. Other terms often used are micro-denier, sub-micron and superfine. Human hair has denier of 20 and a strand of silk has a denier of 8

19. “The combining of anti-microbials and anti-viral technologies with fibers of 1.0 denier and below (includes microfiber) is covered by International Patents. The objective was to develop a line of high performance textiles (HPT) which would reduce the dependancy on highly toxic chemicals such as chlorine, phenolic, and ammonium chloride based chemicals, particularly in health care. The concept is to have a material constructed of microscopic fiber providing an enormous surface area that would effectively remove everything from a surface, absorb and concentrate dirt and contaminats into the HPT thus exposing contaminants (especially biological) to the anti-microbial permanently bonded to the fibers. In addition, the emphasis on dwell time (required by all disinfectants and typically requires a surface to be wet for at least 10 minutes) was moved from the surface being cleaned to the HPT where dwell time is achieved. Dwell time within health care, especially in a patient room, is neither practical or possible and is rarely, if ever, achieved.   In evaluating different antimicrobial technologies that could be used in high performance textiles the governing concept and principal was to ensure that the active ingriedient (including triclosan and others) MUST be bonded permanently to the fiber for the life of the product and would not disperse into the environment. After an extensive product development cycle this objective was realized. Utilizing a new patented chemistry which bonds the active ingredient to synthetic fibers tests were run to ensure that the antimicrobial stayed in the HPT. All testing was done in accordance with the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) protocols for laundering and antimicrobial efficacy. In short, the results showed that the antimicrobial agent was equally effective after 200 launderings as when the material was new. This technology incorporated into a flat mop / wiper system helps to improve performance while significantly reducing the use, and waste, of toxic cleaners/disinfectants (EPA published study showing up to a 95% reduction in chemicals used).” -- UMF Corporation, Traci Cupp Alternative references… (from Catherine Galligan, SHP Clearinghouse) -- Polly, Stuart M. MD, review of the Stuart Levy revised book: "The Antibiotic Paradox: How the Misuse of Antibiotics Destroys Their Curative Powers", JAMA, Volume 288(22), 11 December 2002, p 2898-2899. Dr. Polly reviews the updated edition of Levy's book which cautions that the overuse of antibiotics facilitates the development of resistant microorganisms. "Despite the recent substantial increase in the use of antimicrobial ingredients in consumer products, the effects of this practice have not been studied extensively. No data support the efficacy or necessity of antimicrobial agents in such products, and a growing number of studies suggest  increasing acquired bacterial resistance to them. Studies also suggest that acquired resistance to the antimicrobial agents used in consumer  products may predispose bacteria to resistance against therapeutic antibiotics, but further research is needed." -- Litjen Tan, PhD et al, "Use of Antimicrobial Agents in Consumer Products", Archives of Dermatology, Volume 138(8), August 2002, p1082-1086 “The combining of anti-microbials and anti-viral technologies with fibers of 1.0 denier and below (includes microfiber) is covered by International Patents. The objective was to develop a line of high performance textiles (HPT) which would reduce the dependancy on highly toxic chemicals such as chlorine, phenolic, and ammonium chloride based chemicals, particularly in health care. The concept is to have a material constructed of microscopic fiber providing an enormous surface area that would effectively remove everything from a surface, absorb and concentrate dirt and contaminats into the HPT thus exposing contaminants (especially biological) to the anti-microbial permanently bonded to the fibers. In addition, the emphasis on dwell time (required by all disinfectants and typically requires a surface to be wet for at least 10 minutes) was moved from the surface being cleaned to the HPT where dwell time is achieved. Dwell time within health care, especially in a patient room, is neither practical or possible and is rarely, if ever, achieved.   In evaluating different antimicrobial technologies that could be used in high performance textiles the governing concept and principal was to ensure that the active ingriedient (including triclosan and others) MUST be bonded permanently to the fiber for the life of the product and would not disperse into the environment. After an extensive product development cycle this objective was realized. Utilizing a new patented chemistry which bonds the active ingredient to synthetic fibers tests were run to ensure that the antimicrobial stayed in the HPT. All testing was done in accordance with the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) protocols for laundering and antimicrobial efficacy. In short, the results showed that the antimicrobial agent was equally effective after 200 launderings as when the material was new. This technology incorporated into a flat mop / wiper system helps to improve performance while significantly reducing the use, and waste, of toxic cleaners/disinfectants (EPA published study showing up to a 95% reduction in chemicals used).” -- UMF Corporation, Traci Cupp Alternative references… (from Catherine Galligan, SHP Clearinghouse) -- Polly, Stuart M. MD, review of the Stuart Levy revised book: "The Antibiotic Paradox: How the Misuse of Antibiotics Destroys Their Curative Powers", JAMA, Volume 288(22), 11 December 2002, p 2898-2899. Dr. Polly reviews the updated edition of Levy's book which cautions that the overuse of antibiotics facilitates the development of resistant microorganisms. "Despite the recent substantial increase in the use of antimicrobial ingredients in consumer products, the effects of this practice have not been studied extensively. No data support the efficacy or necessity of antimicrobial agents in such products, and a growing number of studies suggest  increasing acquired bacterial resistance to them. Studies also suggest that acquired resistance to the antimicrobial agents used in consumer  products may predispose bacteria to resistance against therapeutic antibiotics, but further research is needed." -- Litjen Tan, PhD et al, "Use of Antimicrobial Agents in Consumer Products", Archives of Dermatology, Volume 138(8), August 2002, p1082-1086

21. Ultimately 18 months Ultimately 18 months

22. Washing lifetime = vendors estimate conventional wet loop mops last 55 washings, UCDMC replaced them after 200 washings. Vendors guarantee microfiber mops for 500 washings; UCDMC typically uses microfiber mop heads for over 1,000 washings.Washing lifetime = vendors estimate conventional wet loop mops last 55 washings, UCDMC replaced them after 200 washings. Vendors guarantee microfiber mops for 500 washings; UCDMC typically uses microfiber mop heads for over 1,000 washings.

24. Conventional loop mops require 3 gallons of water per bucket, which must be changed every 3 rooms for infection control purposes. Conventional loop mops require 3 gallons of water per bucket, which must be changed every 3 rooms for infection control purposes.

25. Should not use bleach or high temperature dryers Should not be laundered with other garments/items Should not use bleach or high temperature dryers Should not be laundered with other garments/items

26. Because microfiber mops are easier to use, staff are able to clean an extra 2 rooms per eight hour shift. Time savings come from the microfiber mop’s ease-of-use (weighing significantly less than a conventional wet loop mop) and not having to change out the mop bucket every three rooms. Because microfiber mops are easier to use, staff are able to clean an extra 2 rooms per eight hour shift. Time savings come from the microfiber mop’s ease-of-use (weighing significantly less than a conventional wet loop mop) and not having to change out the mop bucket every three rooms.

29. Should not use bleach or high temperature dryers Should not be laundered with other garments/items Should not use bleach or high temperature dryers Should not be laundered with other garments/items

30. Should not use bleach or high temperature dryers Should not be laundered with other garments/items Should not use bleach or high temperature dryers Should not be laundered with other garments/items

32. Should not use bleach or high temperature dryers Should not be laundered with other garments/items Should not use bleach or high temperature dryers Should not be laundered with other garments/items

33. Contact Info shafir.wendi@epa.gov 415-972-3422 http://www.epa.gov/region09/waste/p2/hospart.html