About three months ago, just before the Covid 19 lockdown, I went to the general hospital in Port of Spain, Trinidad to check on a patient who was a good friend of the family. As I was walking into the ward, I noticed two persons with mops in their hands leaving the ward. They were not dressed in personal protective equipment, they had no other pieces of janitorial equipment such as a cart or cloth or wipes or anything of the sort, but I can tell they were medical cleaners. I am a very observant person. The mops I can tell have passed their useful applications, they were dirty looking and the way the holders of the mops were attired, it said a great deal to me.

My membership with IJCSA and the exposure to learning materials associated with the certification programs have taught me a great deal. The programs have exposed me to sufficient knowledge to help improve the cleaning and maintenance of healthcare facilities in Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Caribbean.

After watching eleven (11) videos on subject matters covering a wide range of subject matters relating to healthcare facilities cleaning and sanitization. I better understand the why cleaning of healthcare facilities are so important. There was a time I held the concept that cleaners didn’t need specialized training nor did they have to have an education to clean. Research and development and exposure to training, such as the certification afforded by IJCSA, I are fully convinced that cleaning and sanitizing of healthcare facilities requires persons with expert knowledge to help prevent Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI).

Not knowing nor understanding the correct approached to healthcare cleaning can put both the practitioner, the patients and the general staff at risks. Not knowing what chemicals to use to kill infectious micro-organism can cause a pandemic the likes of what we have seen with Covid 19.

Cleaning and sanitizing healthcare is critical to the health and safety of humans. The Center for Diseases Control and prevention have estimated that over 99,000 people die from healthcare associated infections every year in the US. This is alarming and we are just talking about the US. You can imagine what that figure might be for data around the world that have lower healthcare standards. If we are wondering how important proper cleaning and sanitizing of healthcare facilities are, this data should bring us to some sense of reality and should make those of us who are involved in janitorial maintenance be conscious of this reality.

Now more than ever, I understand what my role is, as a janitorial services provider to reduce healthcare associated infections. I understand the relevance of hand washing:

• ·       After contamination of hands,
• ·       At the beginning and end of each shift
• ·       After contact with blood or potentially infectious material
• ·       Before and after gloves are removed
• ·       Between cleaning of new patients
• ·       Before and after touching wounds
• ·       Before performing evasive procedures
• ·       When taking care of susceptible patients
• ·       When handling infants
• ·       Before handling medication
• ·       Before and after eating or smoking
• ·       After using the restroom
• ·       When hands are soiled or touched contaminated surfaces

I understand that the difference of cleaning opposed to disinfecting or sanitizing is “the physical removal of micro-organisms and soil by wiping or scrubbing is probably as important, if not more so, than any antimicrobial effect of the cleaning agent used”, according to CDC. The CDC postulates that hospital infections are ranked in the first 10 as the most frequent cause of death in the US. Do you still think properly cleaning healthcare facility is not important?

Proper cleaning of Healthcare facilities consists of patients room disinfecting, understanding the different type of disinfecting, safety precautions, preparations, patients room daily clean, patients room daily clean – occupied, patients room daily clean- occupied/isolation, patients room daily clean – discharge, patients room – project cleaning and overall cleanup procedures. Understanding the different type of disinfectants and their applications and OSHA safety orientations for healthcare workers are critical given the mortality rate due to infectious diseases worldwide. Blood borne pathogens are no laughing matter.

According to CDC in order for infections transmission to occur, four conditions must exists simultaneously, they are:

• 1.     Sufficient amount of infectious material must be present
• 2.     Sufficient virulent of deadly nature of the disease must exist
• 3.     Available portal of entry must be breached
• 4.     Lowered resistance level of the worker

While most exposure do not result in infection, we can all agree that proper cleaning, given the risk of infection is necessary and should be encouraged by all. More importantly we should all be aware of the agents of proper cleaning that are trained and prepared to provide professional services in this and many other critical janitorial services. You can search and find reputable service providers here https://www.ijcsa.org/Janitorial-Service-Directory-Find-A-Janitorial-Service-JanitorialServices

Baking soda is great at combating mold. Mix two parts baking soda, one part vinegar and one part water it can be loose or mixed into a thick paste like texture. Spread the mixture or spray onto or into the surface and let sit and go back to finish the job. Natural!!!!

Lucky7even Mold Remediation!!!!!! We are here to help you. Are you getting sick in your home? Allergies, Headaches and Asthma!!! We offer solutions for the mold problems. We aren't your typical mold company. You shouldn't be getting sick in your home or office area!!! Best company to use is a company who knows the risk if they do their job the correct way. It could be a health hazard to you and your family. TO ALL OF US!!!!!!! Flood Damage Directory is a link where you can find more information. Always remember VENTILATION, WASH, ABSORB!!!!!!! 

Lucky7even Spotless plans on implementing a mold program into our company. We will add it to our flyers and state we do clean ups of floods in the Tri-State area ( Phi, Del, Nj ). This helps not only to get our services out a little more bu it will help with the community health also! It kind of shows it's GreenClean side of the mold cleaning removal. 

Like i always said " if i can get people to see i'm not only trying to make money but the way it's done is showing we care for our customers and more. We are coming in to not only clean but to also stop any harmful germs and virus from hurting you or your family. With it being mold around it will cause people to get sick. 

Bloodborne Pathogen are microorganisms that are present in human blood and can cause diseases in humans. These pathogens enter the body through nose and mouth,and also breaks in the skin.

When these pathogens come in contact with mucus membrane infection begins. Bodily fluids such as blood, vomit,and saliva contain these pathogens. This is why OSHA design the Universal Precautions when working with these pathogens to help prevent the spread of these Pathogens such as (HBV, HIV, and AIDS).

OSHA has design Blood Borne Pathogens standards that are to be use when you are working in a field the requires you to come in contact with these Pathogens in work place.

Protective Practicing should always be use for the safety for yourself as well as other employees. Universal Precautions should be used at all times which includes color coding and labeling bag or waste, wearing proper PPE and hand washing are just a few ways to prevent possible spread also disinfecting contaminated area.

Your workplace is required to have an Exposure Control Plan in the event Bloodborne Pathogens case arrives and also a Log book of the Exposure. These Pathogens can be contained by following the guidelines made by OSHA to having a healthy and safe work place

Knowing about bloodborne pathogens can prevent serious illness or death. Bloodborne pathogens are viruses or bacteria present in human blood and body fluids, which can cause disease in humans. The most common illness caused by bloodborne pathogens are Hepatitis B virus(HBV) and the human Immundeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causes aids. Any contact with infected blood or body fluids carries the risk of infection.

It is important for cleaning officials to know how to take proper precaution while performing cleaning duties in order to prevent exposure. Personal protective equipment should be worn by officials during activities which may result in exposure to bloodborne pathogens. It is very important to treat all blood and body fluid spills as if infectious. 

Without proper training cleaning officials are at risk of contracting life threatening diseases. Taking the right training and using all the preventative measures can save lives. All Cleaning officials should read and understand the Oregon occupational safety and health division (OSHA) on bloodborne pathogens to ensure the safety of them selves and others.

My Promotion Green Cleaning

My name is Paul Duncan and I am the Managing Director of Caribbean Public-Private Sector Solutions Limited (CPPSSL). My company is multifaceted and we office a wide range of specialized works and business management services. One of our areas of expertise is Janitorial services, but not the ordinary cleaning services, we are specialized and certified in Green Cleaning to be exact. We at CPPSSL are proud holders of the International Janitorial Cleaning Services Association (IJCSA) Green Cleaning Masters Certificate. In addition we are also a proud member of this aloft association amongst many other reputable green companies from all around the world. Green Cleaning in Trinidad and Tobago means Caribbean Public-Private Sector Solutions Limited. We are Green. We think Green. We Clean Green.

Green Cleaning is the way to go for CPPSSL!!!. We recognize the benefits of GC to our own health and well-being and we adopt the approach to green cleaning because the earth is in need of such measures to preserve the sensitive eco balance of this beautiful planet. We have heeded the call to go green and we encourage others to think, live, work and enjoy green. In this program a great deal of knowledge was transferred and the wealth of information gathered are invaluable.

To implement a green cleaning program requires a new set of procedural guidelines, education training and research. Green cleaning also requires a 360 shift in the way we think and behave. The well-being of the planet MUST be the ultimate goals where green cleaning is concerned. Some of the invaluable lessons learn are, but are not limited to the following:

• a.     The Benefits of using green cleaning chemicals
• b.     How to make household green cleaning solutions to clean: toilet bowls and sinks, carpets, wooden surfaces, metals, kitchen counters, mould cleaning and Furniture
• c.     The harmful effects of the uses of hazardous chemicals
• d.     The sicknesses associated with the uses of toxic chemicals
• e.     The names of manufacturers of many green cleaning chemicals on the market
• f.      The name of companies offering green cleaning services
• g.     Blogs of how other companies are using green Chemicals

What was interesting to me is the experience that other companies shared regarding green cleaning services they offered. I also learned about the experience some companies had with green cleaning products on the market. The way some companies explained how they would implement green cleaning as part of their service were also very interesting. Go Green. Go Clean!!

Why Being A Green Cleaner Or Green Cleaning Company Is Better Than Being A Cleaner Or Company That Uses Hazardous Chemicals"

Persons who worked as professional cleaners using hazardous chemicals often suffered the most, incurring as much lung damage as would be expected in someone smoking 20 cigarettes every day, a study revealed. This is enough encouragement to be a Green Cleaning Certified Company.

Many of the strong chemical ingredients in today’s cleaning products were put there specifically for their antimicrobial properties. However most of these harmful ingredients, such as parabens, ammonia, chlorine bleach, QUATS, Triclosan, and triclocarban, are absorbed directly through the skin in varying degrees—and once inside the body, they may upset delicate microbial balance. But many of the manufacturers do not say that on the bottles nor do they give this information in their advertisements. Harmful chemicals in window cleaners, oven cleaners, disinfectants, hand-soaps, toilet bowl cleaners, and deodorizers have harmful effects on the human body and can, particularly if mixed, severely affect the lungs and ability for a person to breathe.

It is no secret and the records are there to prove it, that chemicals such as Triclosan and triclocarban have turn up in human blood, mucus, and even breast milk—and they’re so prevalent that it’s estimated the odds are about 40% are in our body, too. The fact that these dangerous ingredients get into breast milk is particularly disturbing: one study found that the gut microbiomes of both nursing moms and babies were affected by Triclosan exposure, driving home how important it is to protect our guts by being mindful not only of what goes into our mouths, but also what we interact with in our environment. What is frightening is these harmful effects show up in folks that uses hazardous chemicals and/or work for companies or in environments where these chemicals are used.

When compared with persons that work without the uses of hazardous chemicals or who work with green companies and with green chemicals, the effects are different. There is no doubt that the uses of green chemicals are better to human health and the health of the environment. The good thing is more and more chemical manufacturers are switching over to making environmentally friendly chemicals that are have little or no effects to humans and to the environment. Green Cleaning is becoming the order of the day and more and more customers will demand a green approach to both residential and commercial cleaning.

Conclusively, there are sufficient evidence to support the claims that occupational diseases are linked to the uses of many of these cleaning products sitting on the shelves in our stores. Whether it is North America, Europe, South and Central America or in the Caribbean, the harmful effects are the same. Thankfully, the earth is taking steps to preserve itself by raising up conscious and environmentally friendly partners to join the army of green cleaning soldiers which can be found lodged in the database of the International Janitorial Cleaning Services Association (IJCSA). The uses of green chemicals have little or no harmful effects on the human body and nature as a whole when compared with the effects of hazardous chemicals. The list of conscious and ready-to-go green cleaning companies can be found here: https://www.ijcsa.org/Green-Cleaning-Services

Why Every Person Should Only Perform Natural Green Cleaning

Green cleaning benefits the health of every living thing that exists within earth’s environment. It is also IJCSA goal to encourage its members to implement a green cleaning program in the fight against unsafe and unhealthy uses of toxic materials and chemicals. Green cleaning services go beyond just using environmentally friendly cleaning chemicals. It’s also about reducing waste and cleaning more efficiently. 

Remember the effects associated with the uses of toxic cleaning and other chemicals are many. These effects are caused by various classification of toxicity follows:

·       Irritants (e.g., isopropyl alcohol, acetone) produce reversible inflammatory changes of the skin, eyes, or mucous membranes of the respiratory tract. The substance is corrosive if the damage is irreversible.

·       Sensitizers are chemicals capable of producing an allergic response. The body produces little or no immune response at the initial exposure. However, with repeated exposure, the immune system can be sensitized and subsequently evoke an allergic response to the allergen. Respiratory tract sensitizers, such as isocyanates, natural rubber latex proteins, or ethylene diamine, can cause asthma. Skin sensitizers, such as nickel, fragrances, chromates in cement, formaldehyde, and glutaraldehyde, can cause allergic contact dermatitis.

·       Genotoxicity is a specific type of toxicity. Genotoxic chemicals can damage and alter genetic materials within the cells, which may cause carcinogenicity or birth defects.

• Carcinogens are chemicals capable of causing cancers in humans. A list of carcinogens has been prepared by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) of the World Health Organization (WHO).
• Mutagens are chemicals that can cause changes in the DNA of cells (mutations), which may result in various diseases or abnormalities in future generations. Mutagens such as chloroform and ethylene oxide can affect cells of the reproductive system (sperms and ova). Other mutagens, including benzene, lead, and vinyl chloride, can affects cells that are not part of the reproductive organs (e.g., liver, kidney, or blood cells).
• Teratogens are chemicals that cause birth defects, abnormalities, developmental delays, or fetal death, but cause no damage to the mother. Methyl mercury, lead, and xylene are some examples of chemical teratogens. The developing fetus at the two‐ to eight‐week stage is at highest risk.
• Reproductive toxins are chemicals that can affect the ability of both men and women to produce offspring. The adverse effects of reproductive toxins include sterility, reduced fertility, and spontaneous abortion.

Every living thing on planet earth are impacted by the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The way we manage energy and the manner in which we utilize the scarce resources on this planet can determine the health and safety of everything that lives on planet earth.

In this regard we believe our employees, customers and vendors should become intimately familiar with the procedures, adopting them not only in the workplace, but in our everyday lives to ensure the longevity of the planet. We believe, if we all do our part to preserve the environment, we will leave a better home for future generations. We believe using only natural green green chemicals will reduce hazards, improve the health of humans and save the planet on a whole.

The effects of greenhouse gases and the greenhouse effects are well documented. While in the Caribbean we have only two weather patterns, dry or sunny weather and wet or rainy weather, we are not exempted from the global crisis of changing weather conditions. The Caribbean is hit every year by extreme winds call hurricanes. We in the Caribbean also have to do our part, just like every other region of the world to save our species of plants, wildlife, waterways, oceans and the delicate life of all living things on this planet. This is why green thinking is so important to the preservation of life on this beautiful earth given to us by the Creator. We will be foolish to assume that only the areas that do not adhere to green management will be affected. It is the entire Earth that will face rising sea levels, the el nino and el nina effects and changing weather patters. Already we have seen the effects of greenhouse gases in many parts of the world.

Advocating the uses of green chemicals is no more a dream conceived years ago without the appropriate actions to follow. Green cleaning is only one aspect of the green thinking arsenal. As green cleaners our occupation is primarily focused on the preservation of natural life and health inside and outside living and working spaces.

It is well documented the many sicknesses and diseases that are caused by the uses of toxic chemicals currently on the market in our neighborhood stores. These chemicals are responsible for millions of  fatal illnesses and deaths, not just to humans, but also to plants and animals. Reducing and eliminating these harmful chemicals can result in a 60% reduction in fatal diseases leading to death and preservation of the environment. All of earth must get on board to save our planetary home.

Every living thing on planet earth are impacted by the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The way we manage energy and the manner in which we utilize the scarce resources on this planet can determine the health and safety of everything that lives on planet earth.

In this regard we believe our employees, customers and vendors should become intimately familiar with the procedures, adopting them not only in the workplace, but in our everyday lives to ensure the longevity of the planet. We believe, if we all do our part to preserve the environment, we will leave a better home for future generations.

Green cleaning benefits the health of every living thing that exists within earth’s environment. It is also IJCSA goal to encourage its members to implement a green cleaning program in the fight against unsafe and unhealthy uses of toxic materials and chemicals. Green cleaning services go beyond just using environmentally friendly cleaning chemicals. It’s also about reducing waste and cleaning more efficiently.

Our most precious and abundant natural resource are our water, our air, our land and crops and the thousands of species of animals, birds, reptiles, fish and insects. We all should want to keep our fresh water protected from toxic cleaning chemicals and products. Our air from harmful sprays and chemicals and our creatures from ingesting harmful and deadly chemicals. Whether you’re currently part of a green cleaning program, or seeking out green cleaning options, there is help for you to begin putting a green cleaning program together or if you are looking for certified green cleaning service providers. Follow this link https://www.ijcsa.org/Green-Cleaning-Services