[p2tech] Fw: Products for H1N1 mitigation: Could you give me yourthoughts

In 2007 FDA recommended not using antibacterial soaps based on UM
studies.  They aren't any more effective and not only risk developing
more resistant and potent bacteria but also introduce new pollutants to
our wastewater and thus rivers.   FYI

http://www.webmd.com/news/20070817/plain-soap-as-good-as-antibacterial?p
rint=true


-----Original Message-----
From: p2tech-bounces at great-lakes.net
[mailto:p2tech-bounces at great-lakes.net] On Behalf Of
Gangmark.Carolyn at epamail.epa.gov
Sent: Wednesday, September 09, 2009 10:59 AM
To: p2tech at great-lakes.net
Cc: Bell.Cathe at epamail.epa.gov
Subject: [p2tech] Fw: Products for H1N1 mitigation: Could you give me
yourthoughts


Hello P2 Tech Community.  My colleague Cathe Bell (message below) is
seeking feedback re disinfectant wipes to be used this fall to help
prevent cases of H1N1 in our EPA R10 office.  Since many of you have
expertise in this area and work in offices where similar decision making
is underway... thought that we might all benefit from the collective
wisdom.  Thoughts???   Thanks so much.

Carolyn Gangmark
U.S. EPA Region 10
1200 6th Ave. Suite 900 AWT-128
Seattle, WA  98101
Phone (206) 553-4072
FAX (206) 553-8509

If we don't get climate right - nothing else matters.
----- Forwarded by Carolyn Gangmark/R10/USEPA/US on 09/09/2009 07:51 AM
-----
                                                                        
             Cathe                                                      
             Bell/R10/USEPA/U                                           
             S                                                       To 
                                                                        
             09/08/2009 05:36                                        cc 
             PM                       OARM-OA-SHEMD-SHEMPMGRS           
                                                                Subject 
                                      Products for H1N1 mitigation:     
                                      Could you give me your thoughts   
                                                                        
                                                                        
                                                                        
                                                                        
                                                                        
                                                                        



Colleagues:

 I'd like both your personal and professional opinion about some
products that I am considering purchasing to help reduce the impact of
H1N1 in our workplace this winter.  I've contacted you because I value
your thinking on the subject.  I trust that your combined experience
will help me select products that are as powerful as we might need, but
as benign as possible.

Here is the situation:  to equip staff to reduce flu transmission in the
workplace, I'm going to follow a strategy which includes
      1.  flu shots:  both seasonal and H1N1
      2.  messages on ways to reduce disease transmission by personal
hygiene and practices, and
      3.  provision of sanitizers to be used in places where disease
transmission is more likely.

I hesitate, for a number of reasons to bring additional chemicals into
our workplace.  However, the guidance I'm receiving, both internal to
R10 and from CDC, encourages me to consider these as components of an
public health approach which will be  more effective than "business as
usual."

The elements are simple:  a limited amount of sanitizing wipes and hand
sanitizers will be stationed around the floors to be used in areas the
public frequents or staff congregates.  The wipes will also be made
available to IT staff to destroy microbes before they handle what is
likely to be contaminated equipment.

I'd like your opinions on the wipe sanitizers, specifically.  I've
attached a sheet with the names and characteristics of some products
I've investigated.  I'd like to hear your opinions on whether and how to
station these, and, more importantly, arguments for selecting specific
products.

Now, I'm going to bias you (stop reading, review the information and
respond, if you'd like).  I'm inclined to opt for simple chemicals
rather that the various takes on benzalkonium chloride and complex
antimicrobials.  From what I've read, all of these products are almost
equally effective.  The difference between the alcohol, chlorine, and
hydrogen peroxide based sanitizers and some of the more complex
materials is that the latter's antimicrobial action may last a bit
longer, longer on the order of hours.  For our uses, I'm not sure that
is critical.  There are three issues I'd like to weight toward:  a) that
the wipes are not irritating, particularly to more sensitive members of
our community, b) manufacturing of the product is relatively simple and
sustainable, and c) the product does not contribute to antimicrobial
resistance.  Look at my list and know I'm open to your thoughts.

Again, these wipes will be used to clean up after sneezing/coughing, if
someone sick has been in an area, in offices where a sick person has
left within 48 hours and office materials must be accessed, in public
greeting areas, and to the PC Hotline and administrative support staff
to use when they handle staff equipment.


Note:  manufacturing bleach may involve mercury cells (to be phased out
by 2020), a drawback. Or they may depend on membranes.

(See attached file: wipes_product comparisons for comment.doc)


SHEMPMGRS:  this is for your information only, so that you do not need
to duplicate this work.  No comments are expected, although you know I'd
welcome your educated opinions!

>From the Desk of
Cathe Bell
Safety, Health and Environmental Management US EPA Region 10, M/S
OMP-077 Seattle, WA 98101
Tel: 206-553-0308
BlackBerry: 206-399-9394            Fax: 206-553-0714


OMP wants to hear from you, click here to provide feedback.


Safety, Health and Environmental Management, R10 Intranet

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