PRESS RELEASE Decontamination Training

Mankind is faced with antibiotic resistant bacteria, emerging virus and Bio Terrorism coupled to environmental threats such as:

• Bird Flu H5N1

• SARS

• Meningitis

• MRSA & VRSA

• XDR-TB

• Bio Terrorism

• WMD Weapons of Mass destruction

• Flooding

• TOXIC MOULD

The cleaning industry is the new front line of defence and must rise to the challenges and embrace the opportunities of defence and response. The world and of course the UK currently face some of the most catastrophic or disruptive events which present a threat to the national economy and human health. More interesting to the reader is the opportunities these threats present.

These events can be broadly divided between natural and man made. The man made problems include toxic mould and indoor air quality issues, the aging population and isolated deaths and resultant decomposition and of course Bio Terrorism.  Natural events include  weather related issues to  antibiotic resistant bacteria, emerging viral infections to which humans have no natural defence. Of course the most significant areas of interest are prevention and recovery and the cleaning industry today has one of the most significant potential roles in both.

The basis of infection control has always been cleaning but the emergence of the antibiotic and the public’s reliance on them has removed much of the significance into purely aesthetics. The drug resistant bacteria and emerging viral infections such as H5N1 bird flu to which humans have no natural defence means that sanitation is now of paramount importance and cleaning must again be seen as the front line defence.

The murder of the Russian Alexander Letvinenko with the radio isotope Polonium 210 and the Bernard Mathews Bird Flu contamination saw the emergence of specialist decontamination companies. The training these companies require, make them extremely rare and expensive but the expected growth in specialist decontamination will see great opportunities for those wishing to enter into this very lucrative sector of cleaning. Government agencies are actively seeking new companies to assist in national contracts.

The changing face of European communities means that 60% of people are now over 60 years of age and the greater percentage over 65 live alone, and die alone. The decontamination of the death scene requires specialist techniques if odour and safety are to be considered. Crystal methamphetamine clandestine drug factories are sweeping the USA and have arrived in the UK. The toxins left from the cooking process means only competent and trained technicians can undertake this dangerous decontamination work safely.

Business’s in particular are now planning for bird flu pandemic which is expected to affect 25% of the population and expected casualty death rates range  between 300,000 and 3 million. The pandemic is expected to last 15 months and be in three waves. Whether or not a business can continue to function may revolve around the safety of the employees and the hygiene or safety of the building or transport system. New technologies are available which deposit an active biostatic coating  on all surfaces, killing all landed virus or bacteria, technology now exists to sanitise the air and wash room standards will have to be greatly increased to prevent hand to mouth infection. Cleaning contractors should be fully conversant with these technologies and be prepared to utilise them.

Continuous decontamination or sanitation will be required and the new wave of defence and reaction chemical applications must be seen by cleaning contractors as a new opportunity to raise the bar of the industry and profit line. Water damage and general building design has resulted in the growth and now medically recognition of toxic mould and its health effects. Opportunities now exist for competent companies to embark on decontamination and drying restoration works within the building and insurance industry.