Friday, January 23, 2009
POMPANO BEACH, FL — A Pompano Beach High School custodian was carjacked at gunpoint by two unidentified suspects Thursday morning, according to the Miami Herald.
The two men, one wearing a ski mask and the other donning a skully cap, hid behind a fence and waited for the custodian to approach his vehicle, the story stated.
As soon as the custodian approached his sliver 2007 Chevrolet Silverado with a license plate reading RHN078, the two men held him at gunpoint and demanded his keys, the story noted.
After the armed robbery, which occurred around 6 a.m., police sent out a bulletin to be on the lookout for the vehicle, noting the "Save the Turtles" insignia on the license plate, the story added.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Infections plague U.S. hospitals
Friday, January 23, 2009
FORT WAYNE, IN — U.S. hospitals desperately need to improve cleanliness measures to curb the spread of infectious diseases like MRSA, VRE and C. diff, according to The Journal Gazette.
About 103,000 people die from hospital-acquired infections annually in the U.S., more than from AIDS, breast cancer and auto accidents combined, the story stated.
Betsy McCaughey, chairwoman and founder of the Committee to Reduce Infection Deaths, said: "With every breakthrough that boosts infection-prevention capabilities, hospitals are increasingly likely to be held legally liable when patients contract infections on site."
A 2007 study concluded that 65 percent of doctors and other medical professionals admitted they had not washed their lab coat in at least a week, even though their uniforms routinely pick up bacteria when they interact with and lean over patients, the story noted.
The single most important step in preventing hospital infections is also the simplest: Cleaning; a hospital's cleaning staff are the "Navy SEALs of infection prevention," the story added.
According to McCaughey, patients should regularly wash their hands and should not be afraid to ask medical staff to do the same.
FORT WAYNE, IN — U.S. hospitals desperately need to improve cleanliness measures to curb the spread of infectious diseases like MRSA, VRE and C. diff, according to The Journal Gazette.
About 103,000 people die from hospital-acquired infections annually in the U.S., more than from AIDS, breast cancer and auto accidents combined, the story stated.
Betsy McCaughey, chairwoman and founder of the Committee to Reduce Infection Deaths, said: "With every breakthrough that boosts infection-prevention capabilities, hospitals are increasingly likely to be held legally liable when patients contract infections on site."
A 2007 study concluded that 65 percent of doctors and other medical professionals admitted they had not washed their lab coat in at least a week, even though their uniforms routinely pick up bacteria when they interact with and lean over patients, the story noted.
The single most important step in preventing hospital infections is also the simplest: Cleaning; a hospital's cleaning staff are the "Navy SEALs of infection prevention," the story added.
According to McCaughey, patients should regularly wash their hands and should not be afraid to ask medical staff to do the same.
Interlink's $50,000 pre-approval program
Thursday, January 22, 2009
SALT LAKE CITY — Interlink Financial Services announces their new pre-approval program, according to a press release.
Pre-qualified customers can receive a no-fee pre-approval for up to $50,000, the release stated.
The program helps cleaning and restoration companies secure finances to purchase supplies and equipment, the release noted.
Interlink Financial is extremely well capitalized and has money to loan or lease to qualified cleaning and restoration companies, even in these tough economic times, the release added.
SALT LAKE CITY — Interlink Financial Services announces their new pre-approval program, according to a press release.
Pre-qualified customers can receive a no-fee pre-approval for up to $50,000, the release stated.
The program helps cleaning and restoration companies secure finances to purchase supplies and equipment, the release noted.
Interlink Financial is extremely well capitalized and has money to loan or lease to qualified cleaning and restoration companies, even in these tough economic times, the release added.
Thursday's Ask the Experts: VCT floors
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Thursday's Ask the Experts question from a cleaning professional on the International Custodial Advisors Network (ICAN) "Ask the Experts" page: What can be the factors causing a VCT floor to be slick when it was burnished?
The answer
There are several things that can cause a slippery floor after burnishing. First, I would make sure the floor has been dust mopped to remove any fine powdered finish generated by the process. Next, check to make sure that dust mop treatment is not being applied over the floor, or that the dust mop itself is not heavily contaminated with buildup, including dust mop treatment residue that can be left on the floor. Also, check to see if dust wands are being sprayed with furniture polish causing overspray to drift onto the VCT. Check for any type of silicone or solvent drifting onto floor, such as WD-40 sprayed on chair wheel bearings, etc. Finally, if the finish has worn off, you may still be able to burnish a shine, but not a gloss. Once the finish is worn, the floors will lose the traction supplied by the floor finish. Only a scrub and recoat can... — Gary Clipperton, National Pro Clean Corp.
(800) 796-4680, www.nationalproclean.com
Thursday's Ask the Experts question from a cleaning professional on the International Custodial Advisors Network (ICAN) "Ask the Experts" page: What can be the factors causing a VCT floor to be slick when it was burnished?
The answer
There are several things that can cause a slippery floor after burnishing. First, I would make sure the floor has been dust mopped to remove any fine powdered finish generated by the process. Next, check to make sure that dust mop treatment is not being applied over the floor, or that the dust mop itself is not heavily contaminated with buildup, including dust mop treatment residue that can be left on the floor. Also, check to see if dust wands are being sprayed with furniture polish causing overspray to drift onto the VCT. Check for any type of silicone or solvent drifting onto floor, such as WD-40 sprayed on chair wheel bearings, etc. Finally, if the finish has worn off, you may still be able to burnish a shine, but not a gloss. Once the finish is worn, the floors will lose the traction supplied by the floor finish. Only a scrub and recoat can... — Gary Clipperton, National Pro Clean Corp.
(800) 796-4680, www.nationalproclean.com
Meth lab cleanup
Thursday, January 22, 2009
SPRINGDALE, AR — Two methamphetamine labs were discovered in an apartment complex that prompted an evacuation and a potentially pricey cleanup, according to the Arkansas Democrat Gazette.
Tenants from the complex reported feeling ill in the few weeks the lab was in operation; one woman blames the seizure she recently suffered on the fumes from the lab, the story stated.
Tests will be performed on the units that functioned as labs as well as the units adjacent to them; cleanup will cost a minimum of $1,500, depending on the level of contamination, the story noted.
Carlette Anderson, executive director of Haz-Mert, a hazardous materials disposal company, said: "A lot of times we have meth that permeates the walls. We may have to clean three times to get a good level — it's a lot of work."
If tests show the presence of methamphetamine is above the state standard of 0.05 micrograms per hundred cubic centimeters, walls may have to be removed and parts of the complex rebuilt, the story added.
SPRINGDALE, AR — Two methamphetamine labs were discovered in an apartment complex that prompted an evacuation and a potentially pricey cleanup, according to the Arkansas Democrat Gazette.
Tenants from the complex reported feeling ill in the few weeks the lab was in operation; one woman blames the seizure she recently suffered on the fumes from the lab, the story stated.
Tests will be performed on the units that functioned as labs as well as the units adjacent to them; cleanup will cost a minimum of $1,500, depending on the level of contamination, the story noted.
Carlette Anderson, executive director of Haz-Mert, a hazardous materials disposal company, said: "A lot of times we have meth that permeates the walls. We may have to clean three times to get a good level — it's a lot of work."
If tests show the presence of methamphetamine is above the state standard of 0.05 micrograms per hundred cubic centimeters, walls may have to be removed and parts of the complex rebuilt, the story added.
National collegiate recycling competition
Georgetown University is also involved in this:
Thursday, January 22, 2009
KNOXVILLE, TN — The University of Tennessee at Knoxville will compete in an intercollegiate recycling and waste reduction competition for the fourth straight year, according to WVLT-TV.
RecycleMania is a ten-week competition from January 18 to March 28 where trash and recyclables are collected from every building and tallied then ranked and compared to the results of 397 participating colleges and universities, the story stated.
For the competition, sponsored by Make Orange Green, Aramark and Alcoa Inc., 6,000 new recycling bins will be provided and placed in offices and classroom around campus; an additional 840 recycling bins are being strategically placed in residence halls and student apartments, the story noted.
RecycleMania is nationally sponsored and produced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WasteWise Program, the National Recycling Coalition, the College and University Recycling Council and Coca-Cola, the story added.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
KNOXVILLE, TN — The University of Tennessee at Knoxville will compete in an intercollegiate recycling and waste reduction competition for the fourth straight year, according to WVLT-TV.
RecycleMania is a ten-week competition from January 18 to March 28 where trash and recyclables are collected from every building and tallied then ranked and compared to the results of 397 participating colleges and universities, the story stated.
For the competition, sponsored by Make Orange Green, Aramark and Alcoa Inc., 6,000 new recycling bins will be provided and placed in offices and classroom around campus; an additional 840 recycling bins are being strategically placed in residence halls and student apartments, the story noted.
RecycleMania is nationally sponsored and produced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WasteWise Program, the National Recycling Coalition, the College and University Recycling Council and Coca-Cola, the story added.
Exposure to cleaning chemicals increases asthma risk
CHARLOTTE, NC — A recent study at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte shows that nurses frequently exposed to cleaning chemicals are at a higher risk for developing asthma than other health care workers, according to McKnight's Long-Term Care.
Routine exposure to common cleaners like bleach increases asthma risks by 72 percent, with 57 percent more likely to report asthma-like symptoms, the story stated.
Switching to less toxic, green chemicals can significantly reduce the respiratory risks involved with prolonged exposure, the story noted.
The full report can be found in the online journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine, the story added.
Routine exposure to common cleaners like bleach increases asthma risks by 72 percent, with 57 percent more likely to report asthma-like symptoms, the story stated.
Switching to less toxic, green chemicals can significantly reduce the respiratory risks involved with prolonged exposure, the story noted.
The full report can be found in the online journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine, the story added.
More job cuts for Dow
Thursday, January 22, 2009
CHARLESTON, WV — Dow Chemical plans another 61 job cuts in the Kanawha Valley as part of their effort to eliminate as many as 5,000 from its workforce in 2009, according to the Charleston Gazette.
Severance packages will be provided to laid-off employees with varying amounts depending on the length of their service to the company, the story stated.
Several of the affected employees will be eligible for retirement by the time the layoffs are executed, the story noted.
The company did not say when the layoffs would take effect, but under the federal Worker and Retraining Notification, companies must give advance notice to employees and local governments at least 60 days before plant closings and mass layoffs, the story added.
CHARLESTON, WV — Dow Chemical plans another 61 job cuts in the Kanawha Valley as part of their effort to eliminate as many as 5,000 from its workforce in 2009, according to the Charleston Gazette.
Severance packages will be provided to laid-off employees with varying amounts depending on the length of their service to the company, the story stated.
Several of the affected employees will be eligible for retirement by the time the layoffs are executed, the story noted.
The company did not say when the layoffs would take effect, but under the federal Worker and Retraining Notification, companies must give advance notice to employees and local governments at least 60 days before plant closings and mass layoffs, the story added.
Inauguration cleanup
Thursday, January 22, 2009
WASHINGTON — A momentous occasion leads to a monumental cleanup effort in our nation's capital, according to the Washington Post.
More than 90 tons of garbage have been hauled away from the inauguration site by city trash trucks with at least 40 more tons left to be disposed of, the story stated.
Dozens of volunteers with the U.S. Park Service spent all night Tuesday cleaning the National Mall and filling up countless garbage bags with refuse; the cleanup effort is expected to continue for days, the story noted.
Mafara Hobson, spokeswoman for D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, said: "People left behind a lot of trash. A lot of it was the vendors along the parade route, too. They left behind Obama hats, Obama bags [and] Obama socks."
Well over one million people were present for the inauguration of President Barack Obama and left googols of hand warmers, bottles, cans and various product wrappers behind on the ground for maintenance crews to clean up, the story added.
WASHINGTON — A momentous occasion leads to a monumental cleanup effort in our nation's capital, according to the Washington Post.
More than 90 tons of garbage have been hauled away from the inauguration site by city trash trucks with at least 40 more tons left to be disposed of, the story stated.
Dozens of volunteers with the U.S. Park Service spent all night Tuesday cleaning the National Mall and filling up countless garbage bags with refuse; the cleanup effort is expected to continue for days, the story noted.
Mafara Hobson, spokeswoman for D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, said: "People left behind a lot of trash. A lot of it was the vendors along the parade route, too. They left behind Obama hats, Obama bags [and] Obama socks."
Well over one million people were present for the inauguration of President Barack Obama and left googols of hand warmers, bottles, cans and various product wrappers behind on the ground for maintenance crews to clean up, the story added.
Norovirus sickens hundreds on cruise ship
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
FT. LAUDERDALE, FL — Roughly 145 people or 8 percent of the 1,842 passengers on the cruise ship Celebrity Mercury have been sickened by norovirus, a highly contagious infection whose eradication requires extensive cleaning of surfaces, according to WLTV-TV.
In an effort to contain the virus to those already infected, crew members have increased cleaning and disinfection procedures and encourage infected passengers not to interact with others, the story stated.
The ship left San Diego, CA, January 3 and will return to Ft. Lauderdale January 17, the story noted.
Additional cleaning staff will be waiting in Ft. Lauderdale for the ship’s return so they can extensively clean it before the next departure, the story added.
FT. LAUDERDALE, FL — Roughly 145 people or 8 percent of the 1,842 passengers on the cruise ship Celebrity Mercury have been sickened by norovirus, a highly contagious infection whose eradication requires extensive cleaning of surfaces, according to WLTV-TV.
In an effort to contain the virus to those already infected, crew members have increased cleaning and disinfection procedures and encourage infected passengers not to interact with others, the story stated.
The ship left San Diego, CA, January 3 and will return to Ft. Lauderdale January 17, the story noted.
Additional cleaning staff will be waiting in Ft. Lauderdale for the ship’s return so they can extensively clean it before the next departure, the story added.
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