The cleaning industry has changed significantly during the past few years, with more attention paid to infection prevention than ever before. In particular, facility cleaning services and plans now have to account for cleanrooms more often than in the past. Recently, the ISSA released a beneficial cleaning for health article. Learn more about what this article has to say about professional commercial cleaning services, how they can be helpful across various fields, and why companies need to consider working with a professional janitorial service.
Infectious Diseases Can Spread in the Air
Even though many diseases can be spread by direct contact with bodily fluids, such as blood and saliva, it is also possible for infectious diseases to be spread through the air. This could include exposure to germs in droplets, such as when someone sneezes, but some germs can spread just by someone breathing on someone else. Some of the reasons why the transmission is dangerous include:
- These particles can remain suspended in the air indefinitely, staying in the room long after the person who released them has left.
- These droplets can be transported over long distances, infecting many people.
- There are some situations where the person may not even realize they are sick because they do not show any symptoms.
Therefore, it is essential to understand what infectious diseases can be transmitted in the air and how to minimize the risk of infection transmission.
What Infectious Diseases Can Be Transmitted in the Air?
Several infectious diseases can be transmitted through the air. They include:
- Fungal Infections: Several fungal infections can be transmitted through the air. For example, aspergillus is frequently in the air in dusty, moldy, or moist environments. Coccidioides can take place indoors if animal droppings are present, such as bird droppings. Histoplasma is more common in the areas near the Ohio and Mississippi River Valley, mainly if there are animals nearby.
- Bacterial Diseases: Several bacterial infections can also be transmitted through the air. These include tuberculosis, Staph, Legionella, and acinetobacter. Even though tuberculosis is rare in the United States, Staph is one of the most common bacterial infections. Legionella is more common in contaminated faucets and showers.
- Viral Infections: Viral infections are prevalent, and several viruses can be transmitted through the air. The coronavirus pandemic has shown us the dangers of viral transmission, particularly when it involves airborne particles. Certain conditions can make viral transmission much more likely. Examples include exercising in close proximity, shouting across large distances, spending a long time around other people, and being trapped indoors instead of spending time outdoors.
Ultimately, many infectious particles can be transmitted through the air, and the cleaning industry needs to develop plans to limit infectious transmission.
What Can Be Done?
So, what can be done to limit the spread of infectious particles? First, professionals must educate companies on how to clean their workplaces. For example, particle size is important. Particles that are fewer than five microns in size can remain suspended in the air indefinitely. Particle and droplet size must be incorporated into any professional cleaning plan designed to limit the spread of infectious particles in the workplace.
When possible, companies need to reinforce social and physical distancing rules recommended by the CDC and WHO during the pandemic. This includes standing at least two meters, or six feet, apart whenever possible.
It might also be helpful to encourage companies to invest in filters designed to remove particles of a certain size, limiting infectious spread. This is already a key component of cleanroom classification.
Work With a Professional Cleaning Company
If companies want to limit the spread of infectious particles in the workplace, it is critical for them to partner with a professional cleaning company. Industry regulations change quickly, and they may need more time or money to invest in advanced cleaning equipment. If a company works with professional commercial cleaning services, the cleaning service will already have access to the best cleaning equipment and solutions. Furthermore, the commercial cleaning service also has experienced technicians with the proper training to help companies keep their workplaces as clean as possible.
If a company partners with a professional in the cleaning industry, they will maximize the health of their customers and employees. In addition, they can minimize the chances of an outbreak in their workplace, which will keep their most experienced employees on the job. For these reasons, consider partnering with a professional cleaning company for health purposes.
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If a business is looking for a way to improve their customers' and employees' health and safety, they should partner with a professional commercial cleaning company. If you’re looking to partner with a professional commercial cleaning company, Pegasus might be the right fit. Receive a SuperiorClean instant quote from Pegasus today.
