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Showing 261-270 of 343 results

How Bleach Kills Bacteria (192)

November 22, 2008

Developed more than 200 years ago and found in households around the world, chlorine bleach is among the most widely used disinfectants, yet scientists never have understood exactly how the familiar product kills bacteria. New research from the University of Michigan, however, reveals key details …

MRSA Study Reveals Infection Rates Eight Times Greater Than Previous Estimates (193)

November 12, 2008

The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) released (June 2007) initial results from a nationwide study of 1,237 U.S. healthcare facilities, examining the prevalence of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a virulent multi-drug resistant organism. Findings demonstrate MRSA prevalence rates to be at …

C. difficile Intestinal Infection Afflicts 13 of 1,000 Hospital Patients (194)

November 12, 2008

The life-threatening bacterium that causes diarrhea and more serious intestinal conditions, Clostridium difficile, is sickening many more patients than previously estimated, according to a new study released on November 11, 2008 by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC).   “The National …

Pros and Cons of ATP vs. Bacterial Counts – The Need for Complementary Measurement Strategies (196)

October 10, 2008

In healthcare environments, ATP is good in that it’s quick but bad in that it’s not a great indicator of microbial risk (counts both live and dead bacteria, doesn’t differentiate pathogens from non-pathogens).  Counting of bacterial colony forming units (CFUs) is good in that it’s …

The Science and Technology of ATP (195)

October 10, 2008

ATP is the primary energy transfer molecule present in all living biological cells on Earth. ATP cannot be produced or maintained by anything but a living organism, and as such, its measurement is a direct indication of biological activity. For hygiene testing the total ATP …

Disinfectants Can Make Bacteria Resistant To Treatment (197)

October 7, 2008

Chemicals used in the environment to kill bacteria could be making them stronger, according to a paper published in the October issue of the journal Microbiology. Low levels of these chemicals, called biocides, can make the potentially lethal bacterium Staphylococcus aureus remove toxic chemicals from …

Infrared or Thermal Imaging Cameras – Finding Moisture Using Infrared Light (199)

September 1, 2008

Infrared cameras are sometimes called IR or thermal imaging cameras. Prices have dropped considerably in recent months, putting thermal imaging technology within the financial reach of many more cleaning operations.   Because of its advantages, eventually, most everyone in the cleaning and restoration business will …