Survey Examines Effective Cleaning and Health Risks

HAMILTON, Ohio -- A recent survey conducted by Kaivac, Inc., developers of the No-Touch Cleaning system, asked approximately 1,600 facility managers and building service providers a variety of questions regarding effective cleaning and the potential health risks associated with bacteria on surface areas.

The survey was conducted in mid-May 2007. Of the 1,600 people invited to take the survey, 270 responded. According to the survey, when asked where most of the E. coli and bacteria are located in a public restroom, 43 percent indicated it is on the floor, which is correct, 20 percent thought the bacteria were on the toilet seat, and 37 percent thought the bacteria were on the restroom sink.

Among the other findings:

-- Fifty percent believed that not all surface-area germs and bacteria are potentially unhealthy, "but if present, they can lead to illness and disease."

-- When asked how many school days are lost because of illnesses caused by viruses and bacteria, 35 percent said about 50 million. According to NSF International, a public health and safety company, more than 160 million school days are missed each year that could be greatly reduced with proper handwashing and more effective cleaning.

-- When asked about the most effective way to remove and eliminate soil and bacteria from floors, 3 percent responded using microfiber mopheads; 4 percent said using a combination of dual-buckets and microfiber mopheads, 79 percent said the best system was to use no-touch or spray-and-vac cleaning equipment.

Other questions dealt specifically with the transfer of bacteria. For instance, when asked, true or false, if the presence of bacteria on floor surfaces was safe as long as children and adults don't actually "touch" the floor, 88 percent indicated it was false, which is correct.  Recent studies report that bacteria found on floor surfaces find their way onto people's hands once they remove their shoes or pick up a purse lying on the floor. 

Source: Kaivac, Inc.