[p2tech] Fw: Products for H1N1 mitigation

You might find resouces compiled by the
The National School Boards Association  
regarding the H1N1 flu useful.

http://www.nsba.org/MainMenu/SchoolHealth/H1N1-Flu.aspx 

 


At 7:59 AM -0700 9/9/09, Gangmark.Carolyn at epamail.epa.gov wrote:
>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
>

>----- Forwarded by Carolyn Gangmark/R10/USEPA/US on 09/09/2009 07:51 AM
>

     
 Subject        Products for H1N1 mitigation:    
 >                    
>
>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
>