Reusable Bags Can Become Breeding Ground For Bacteria, Yeast and Mold

Courtesy of The Environment and Plastics Industry Council (EPIC)

http://www.cpia.ca/epic/media/default.php?ID=2054

A study conducted by three independent testing laboratories has concluded that reusable shopping bags can pose a significant health risk by acting as a breeding ground for bacteria, mold and yeast. The study was commissioned last fall by a consumer coalition to gain a better understanding of how people use reusable packaging and to address any concerns for public health and safety. It builds on consumers’ growing interest in using reusable containers for food packaging (e.g. bringing containers from home into the store).

The plastics industry strongly supports reduction and reuse and recognizes the use of reusables as a good environmental practice. But, it does not want to see these initiatives inadvertently compromise public health and safety. The industry believes that results attained in the study warrant the need for further independent research and investigation.

The study began with pilot test done in November 2008 on two plastic reusable containers and one 12 month-old reusable shopping bag. Results showed considerable bacteria build up on both the reusable bag and on one of the two reusable containers. Mold and yeast were also present, and there was a significant level of coliform. In fact, the bag test results showed an elevated bacterial count of 1,800 colony-forming units (CFU) – more than three times the level of 500 CFU considered safe per millilitre of drinking water. The coliform (faecal bacteria) count of 10 exceeded the recommended drinking water level of 0. The mold count of 290 was higher than the normal mold count of 150 or fewer per cubic metre of room air in the Canadian fall and winter months.

The results of the first pilot study determined that further testing on a larger sample of reusable packaging was merited. This second phase took place in March and April of 2009 and involved 25 reusable bags and four control bags (three popular reusables and one single-use bag). All of the “used” reusable bags used for the study were attained from ordinary shoppers as they left grocery stores.

The larger study found that 64 per cent of the “used” reusable shopping bags (16 of the 25 bags) showed the presence of some level of bacterial contamination. Close to 30 per cent of the bags had elevated bacterial counts higher than the 500 CFU/mL standard for drinking water. Additionally, yeast was found in five of the bags and mold was found in six. An unacceptable total coliform count was found in three of the bags: total coliform counts were 300, 100 and 10. The bags had been in use for one, two and three years. On the other hand, both the single-use shopping bag and the first-use reusable bag (the control bags) showed no evidence of bacteria, mold, yeast or total coliforms.

The results from the larger sample of reusable shopping bags clearly show that the bags have the potential to become a public health hazard. These study results indicate that the use of reusable bags warrants further consideration. At the very least, what needs to be developed are appropriate protocols on the use, care and storage of these bags.

The study results can be downloaded in their entirety by clicking here.

National Cleaning For A Reason Week

April 26-May 2 is National Cleaning For A Reason Week.

http://www.cleaningforareason.org/images/Consumer-Nationalweek26.pdf

Get involved with the charity that cleans houses for women facing
cancer treatment. Maid Services all over the country donate their time
to give cancer patients piece of mind. We do the dirty work so women
with cancer can focus on getting well, but we need your donations to
carry out this important service.

Learn more or make a donation at http://www.cleaningforareason.org/

Partners In Grime is proud to be a founding member of the Cleaning For A Reason Foundation.

Rethinking That "5" Second Rule

RETHINKING THAT "5 SECOND RULE!"

We've all done it at least once. Eat a piece of food that has just fallen on the floor. You know, the "5 Second Rule." Doesn't look dirty... no hair or dust visable, so into the mouth. Well, you may just want to reconsider that practice. According to independent tests from the University of Arizona found the following number of bacteria particles on one-square-inch samples:

Toilet seat: 49
Kitchen counter: 1,686
Kitchen tile: 2,546
Bathroom floor: 18,025
Carpet: 200,000 plus

That's some food for thought!

Lawsuit Targets Makers of Household Cleaners

A lawsuit was filed this week in New York state seeking to enforce a law on the books since 1976, but never enforced. The suit was filed by the nonprofit public interest law firm Earthjustice on behalf of: Women's Voices for the Earth, Environmental Advocates of New York, New York Public Interest Research Group, Riverkeeper, Sierra Club, and American Lung Association in New York. The group seeks to force chemical manufactures to disclose the chemical ingredients in their products and any health hazards they may pose.

See full article here.

According to New York law, companies are are required to file semi-annual reports with the state listing the chemicals contained in their products and describing any company research on these chemicals' health and environmental effects. But since the 1976 law was passed, companies have not filed a single report.

I support any effort to increase transparency when it comes to household and commercial cleaning products. As a residential cleaning service owner, it is important for me to know exactly what I am exposing my staff and my clients to.

As the article points out, ingredient disclosure requirements are virtually non-existent in the United States. While I understand the manufacturer's stance that they could be disclosing trade secrets that would put them at a competitive disadvantage, I think the public has a right to know if the products they or a professional are using are potentially harmful to themselves or the environment.

OSHA (The Occupational Safety and Health Administration) requires that professional cleaning companies like Partners In Grime carry a MSDS (Material Safety Date Sheet) for every cleaning chemical we use. A MSDS is a disclosure form designed to provide both workers and emergency personnel with the proper procedures for handling or working with a particular substance. MSDS's include information such as physical data, toxicity, health effects, first aid, reactivity, storage, disposal, protective equipment, and spill/leak procedures.

MSDS's are designed for employees, employers, and emergency personnel. MSDS's are not written for consumers. An MSDS reflects the hazards of working with the material in an occupational fashion. For example, an MSDS for a particular cleaner is not highly pertinent to someone who uses a bottle of it once a year, but is extremely important to someone who does this in a confined space 40 hours a week.

All of Partners In Grime's professional cleaning crews carry a MSDS with them at all times for every cleaning chemical we use. If any of our clients would like to see a particular MSDS, please ask the cleaning crew to show you. You can always call or email our office and we will be happy to fax or email them to you as well.

Partners In Grime

8031 Ward Parkway Plaza

Kansas City, MO 64114

816-444-6060

http://www.partnersingrime.com/

info@partnersingrime.com

Women with Asthma should not be cleaning their own homes!!! Read on:


SATURDAY, Feb. 14 (HealthDay News) -- Housecleaning products may pose a threat to women with asthma, U.S. researchers say.
During a 12-week study, they compared cleaning-related health effects in women who did and did not have asthma and found a higher number of lower respiratory tract symptoms among the asthmatic women.
Dr. Jonathon A. Bernstein, of the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, and colleagues found that "women in both groups exhibited increased upper and lower respiratory tract symptoms in response to cleaning agents rated mild in toxicity, suggesting a subtle but potentially clinically relevant health effect of long-term, low-level chemical exposures."
The researchers recommended "that women with asthma should be routinely interviewed as to whether they clean their home and cautioned about the potential respiratory health effects of these activities."
The study was published in the January issue of Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.
Asthma affects about 20 million people in the United States. Death rates from the disease are higher among women than men. In many homes, women are the primary cleaners.
Authors of the study concluded that "longer, prospective studies of nonprofessional household cleaners are needed to determine whether there is an association between household cleaning agent exposure and the development of asthma."

It is our opinion that hiring a professional house cleaning service like Partners In Grime is the safest and healthiest way to maintain your home. Partners In Grime uses "Green" or low toxicity cleaning products for the health of you, our staff and our environment.

If you suffer from Asthma or are worried about developing Asthma, please give Partners In Grime a call at 816-444-6060 or email us at info@partnersingrime.com

Valentine's Day Alert For Husbands!!!!!

Husbands should note that 55 percent of married women say they would prefer to receive a whole-house cleaning in lieu of an expensive gift on Valentine’s Day, according to this recent "Mr. Clean Keeping It Fresh" survey. This comes as no surprise, as over half of both married men and married women say they have argued with their partner over a dirty, smelly bathroom, a disorganized kitchen, finding towels on the floor or having a messy countertop and other things.

It's not too late to get you wife, girlfriend or significant other a gift card for professional house cleaning. Give us a call at 816-444-6060 for pick up or delivery on Friday.

Mothers Know Best

A newly released national survey of mothers found that keeping their homes clean was the best means of protecting their families from the germs that cause colds and flu. Likewise, there is a general recognition that toys can be a significant source of germs. The Alliance for Consumer Education's (ACE) nationwide Germ Study examined mothers' overall awareness of how germs that cause colds and flu are spread. It then assessed their views as to the most effective means of preventing and / or containing colds and flu.

For example, in the 2007 survey 32% of respondents felt that keeping their house clean was the most effective means of protecting against colds and flu. This was the Number One response.

"The ACE 2007 Germs survey clearly illustrates that mothers understand the threat of exposure to those germs that can cause colds and flu and are taking steps to minimize that threat and protect their families," said Joseph M. Healy, Chairman of the Board, Alliance for Consumer Education. "One of the simplest, most effective things that people can do to minimize the risks from germs is to frequently wash their hands and clean their homes and places of work on a regular basis. It is gratifying to see that the percentage of moms who recognize the importance of home cleaning continues to rise. At the same time, still more consumer education needs to be done to continue raising overall awareness of the importance of home cleaning."

For those few still cleaning their own homes, keep up the good work. For the rest of you who have discovered the advantages of a professionally cleaned home - congratulations! You are taking the necessary steps to maintain a healthy home for you and your family.

Christmas Trees Cause Increase in Asthma?

What's next - tell me there's no Santa?

A few years ago our family made the switch to an artificial Christmas tree. Mainly I was tired of finding pine needles in my carpet in June. Although I had become somewhat of a scruge. I no longer wanted the hassle of hunting through the tree lots for the perfect tree, hauling it back in our minivan (which of course had to be cleaned out afterwards) and the endless turning trying to find the best side once in our living room.

I felt reassured in my decision when I read an article this week linking live Christmas trees to an increase in asthma and sinus problems.

The study, which was presented at The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Annual Scientific Meeting in Dallas, examined the relationship between mold growth on live Christmas trees and poor indoor air quality.

This study grew out of a consistent and dramatic increase in asthma and sinus complaints among patients every winter, which is especially pronounced during the holiday season, notes study researcher John Santilli, MD."As mold growth is common in the area surrounding outdoor foliage, we hypothesized that the presence of a live Christmas tree may be contributing to indoor mold," he says.

Indoor Mold Levels Rise Twelve times during a two week period, researchers measured mold counts in a room containing a live Christmas tree, beginning when the tree was brought inside and decorated. The tree was located 10 feet from a heat vent, and the indoor temperature was maintained at between 65 and 68 degrees.

For the first three days, counts remained at 800 spores per cubic meter of air, then began escalating, rising to a maximum of 5,000 spores per cubic meter by day 14, when the tree was taken down.Mold allergy affects up to 15 percent of the population, according to Santilli, and people with sensitivity to certain molds commonly experience nasal, eye, and throat irritation; nasal stuffiness; and headache.

Additionally, there is a well-documented link between asthma attacks and molds, and the added risk of invasive fungal disease among people with compromised immune systems.Santilli says normal indoor air has a mold level of 500-700 spores per cubic meter; anything higher indicates a source of mold growth inside the building."

Ventilation systems and water-damaged areas have long been recognized as sources of mold, but we need to continue to search for new and unique sources of contamination," Santilli says.Avoiding Indoor Mold "Our study demonstrates that a live Christmas tree can be a significant source of mold spores. Therefore, we recommend families with allergies in general and mold allergies in particular not keep a live Christmas tree in their homes for more than a few days at most, and remove it sooner if there are signs of increased allergy symptoms," Santilli says.

Rebecca Gruchalla, MD, PhD, chief of allergy at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, says the relationship between live Christmas trees and a rise in indoor mold spores comes as no surprise, particularly since most Christmas trees are cut well in advance of the holidays and stored in a moist environment before being placed on a lot for sale. Then they're then taken home and placed in water too, she says. Gruchalla notes that artificial trees and ornaments collect dust in storage and, therefore, are another source of allergy irritation.

She suggests taking both live and artificial trees outside and shaking them out before bringing them inside to decorate.

Just when I had it all figured out, a colleage in San Diego provides the following information for your consideration.

Fake Trees are even worse...

Most fake trees, made from non renewable petroleum also eventually wind up in landfills and are clogging mother earth with PVC (polyvinyl chloride), which is being banned by many medical associations and considered poison to environmentalists. That's why you'll see a label on faux Christmas trees cautioning you to avoid inhaling or eating any bits of lead dust that may fall from the "branches." Fake trees cannot be recycled. When they are disposed of in a sanitary landfill, they will not disintegrate, but will remain there forever, taking up increasingly scarce landfill space. When a fake tree catches fire, it puts dangerous toxic fumes into the air. Fake trees are manufactured mainly outside of the United States and often by companies in china that do not observe high environmental standards.

I'm SOOO confused!

Be assured that whatever type of tree you have this season, Partners In Grime will be there for you before and after the holiday season to get you ready and clean you up afterwards.

California man ticketed for cleaning beach

No good deed goes unpunished.

At least that's how Muir Beach resident Sigward Moser felt Friday after he says he was threatened with a Taser gun, forced to the ground and handcuffed by a National Park Service ranger for refusing to stop cleaning up the oily beach beneath his home.

Moser, a 45-year-old communications consultant, said he was forced to sprawl handcuffed on the wet sand for an hour before he was released and given two misdemeanor citations, one for entering an emergency area and another for refusing a lawful order.

Moser's Pacific Way home overlooks Muir Beach, where cleanup crews with 100 professionals in white and yellow protective coveralls were at work yesterday.

But there was no one cleaning up Friday when oily globs the size of bowling balls began washing up on shore from Wednesday's disastrous fuel oil spill.

Moser, a neighborhood liaison on the Muir Beach Disaster Council, went out on the oily beach with an impromptu crew of Buddhist monks in training at the nearby Green Gulch Zen Center.

He said they scooped up 7,000 pounds of solidified oil and put it in plastic bags before park service officials arrived in the afternoon to size up the situation.

Moser said he declined three orders to halt his activities before he was cited.

Park service officials held a conference call on Saturday about the incident with members of the Muir Beach Community Services District.

"They were upset, but we tried to reassure them why trained professionals are needed to do this work," said National Park Service publicist Rich Weideman, citing health hazards and unintended injuries to wildlife by untrained volunteers.

ATTENTION KANSAS CITY AREA RESIDENTS: Put down that sponge and step away from the toilet! You - over there - Stop vacuuming!

OK, so you may not be causing harm to wildlife or in danger of imprisonment, but why not hire the Professionals at Partners In Grime to clean and maintain your home.

The advantages of having your home professionally cleaned:

- More time to do the things you want to do.
- Your home is probably your largest single investment. Protect it by having it deep cleaned and then professionally maintained.
- No need to store potentially dangerous chemicals in your home anymore.
- We'll clean your home in a fraction of the time it would take you.
- Because we use environmentally safe cleaning products, you'll have a healthier home.

SO DON'T TAKE A CHANCE OF GETTING IN TROUBLE WITH LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OR HARMING INNOCENT WILDLIFE, EMAIL OR CALL PARTNERS IN GRIME RIGHT NOW!! 816-444-6060 or info@partnersingrime.com.