Page 37 - Campus Security & Life Safety, May/June 2022

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residual contamination related to frequent- contact points, resulted in reduced illnesses tied to bacterial contamination reservoirs (Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella outbreaks), reduced sick building syndrome symptoms and reduced absenteeism due to infectious illnesses. And while school hygiene programs such as handwashing promotion are admirable and well-intentioned, they typically neglect the rapid recontamination of hands via high contact touchpoints that are usually poorly cleaned, and thus student illness and absenteeism rates fail to change.
Consequences of the
Spread of Infectious Illnesses
Students who develop an illness due to the
transmission of an infectious disease agent in the school environment risk consequences to themselves and others, which may include:
· Absenteeism, which may interfere with the
learning process and, if prolonged, can
affect academic performance.
· Family healthcare costs for the sick child, as
well as a potential economic burden on a working parent who must stay at home and care for the child.
· The risk of disease transmission from the sick child to other family members.
The survival of microbial pathogens on surfaces and the resultant potential for the transmission of infective agents to individuals depends upon multiple factors, including temperature, relative humidity, the physical properties of the surface material, and whether the organisms are embedded in a protective film, such as respiratory secretions from humans or animals. Thus, many potential human pathogens may survive on hard or soft materials for hours or even days, and be available for transmission to susceptible persons, the latter of which include children, pregnant women, those on various medicinal therapies, and those with chronic illness such as heart, kidney, and/or lung disease. Such chronic conditions for example, are recognized as extremely significant risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) disease.
Cleaning and Disinfection
Prior to the current COVID-19 pandemic, and certainly since its recognition, the need for Enhanced Environmental Hygiene has never been more important. This targeted hygiene approach typically involves manual detergent cleaning, followed by the application of an appropriate EPA-registered disinfectant,
or the use of a one-step cleaner-disinfectant, sometimes followed by an additional antimicrobial enhancement provided by the use of a disinfectant wipe or disinfectant spray (with appropriate EPA approval).
The cleaning process, through friction, physically removes microbes and their associated films in which they may be embedded, such as saliva and/or nasal secretions from the nose or mouth, as generated by coughing or sneezing. Thus, the cleaning process is crucial, as it removes soils, respiratory secretions, and other substances that may block or interfere with the antimicrobial action of the biocide to kill or otherwise inactivate any remaining microbial residues. The value of this two-step process of cleaning and disinfection to maximize the reduction of infectious agent transmission has been previously confirmed in a controlled laboratory study.
Cleaning and Disinfection Frequency
Once cleaning and disinfection protocols are established for high-contact touchpoints within any particular venue, the key element to reducing human exposures and the potential for infectious agent transmission is the effective frequency at which the protocols are carried out. Thus, improved cleaning of floors and desks in schools has been shown to reduce upper respiratory symptoms, and the reduction of air pollutants through effective surface cleaning practices and hence, reduced occupant exposures and health risks, was demonstrated in a long- term cleaning effectiveness study.
The key is to assess, as best as possible, the time necessary after the cleaning and disinfection of surfaces for the microbial population to reestablish itself to the level it was
By Eugene C. Cole, DrPH
Enhanced Environmental Hygiene for K–12 Schools
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