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An Analysis of the hygiene impact of Zoono Flipbook PDF
An Analysis of the hygiene impact of Zoono
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An Analysis of the hygiene impact of Zoono in conjunction with a regular sanitising regime 5th October 2020
OVERVIEW CONTENTS Overview Objectives Definitions & Theory How Clean is Clean? Intertek Commentary & Guidance Principle Categorisation Approach & Methodology Results Findings & Analysis Anomalies Commentary M. Phelps (microbiologist) D. Hickson (food safety expert) Conclusions Recommendations/Next Steps Appendix A - Gtech report on effectiveness of Zoono as residual biocide
The client is a high-profile multioccupancy client with multi-use buildings. In response to the covid-19 pandemic The Estate property management team has identified high risk high touch point areas and in conjunction with Principle Cleaning (the main cleaning contractor) has established an enhanced sanitisation and cleaning regime designed to minimise the risk of infection by removing microorganisms from any potential touchpoints. As part of this regime Principle Cleaning has applied residual biocide (Zoono) through a fogging mechanism and has increased the frequency of touchpoint
sanitisation through the use of steri-7 at regular intervals during the operational working day. This is a comprehensive approach to ensure the provision of a safe environment to provide all building users with the confidence to enter and exit the building safely. Given the investment in this regime the Property Management is keen to ensure that the regime is effective. The hygiene standards of key touch-points in these buildings were monitored over a four-week period utilising different cleaning products and regimes.
02 - Objectives 1. To determine if the use of Zoono in addition to regular hygiene cleaning is more effective in improving hygiene than regular cleaning alone. 2. To determine the effectiveness of the cleaning regimes being applied in improving hygiene and reducing the likelihood of infection.
DEFINITIONS & THEORY ATP Testing: involves the detection of the ATP molecule, which is present in all living creatures to include bacteria, fungi and yeasts. ATP is the energy storage molecule for all life and is not found in viruses. ATP analysis involves taking a swab over a defined area which is then immersed in a solution that breaks open cells to release the ATP. This is detected by the “light meter” and the more ATP the higher the level of organic soil. It does not differentiate between mammalian, animal, plant nor bacterial/fungal/ yeast ATP. Therefore it is a tool to determine how well a surface has been cleaned, which is essential for disinfectants to function. ATP Testing is utilised as an objective measurement of general hygiene - it is NOT a measure of bacteria/virus or pathogens
DEFINITIONS
Microbiological testing: microbiological testing involves the detection of living microorganisms to include bacteria, fungi and yeasts as previously mentioned. The test carried out was to use a swab to test a predetermined area, which is then placed into a sterile sealed tube containing transport media to keep organisms viable during transport. In this case the swabs were tested to determine the numbers of microorganisms on the swab, which is expressed as a TVC (Total Viable Count) It does not measure any nonmicrobial soiling. Microbiological testing is a more specific measurement of surface level microbiology i.e. living organisms including bacteria and pathogens - this is used as a definitive measurement of the level of live microbial growth on a surface and therefore an excellent measure of the effectiveness or not of any biocide or other sanitisation regime in removing harmful bacteria from a surface.
Coronavirus testing: A swab of the surface is taken as with the TVC test except that the testing involves the detection of the virus (not bacteria etc.) and is specific to the Covid virus as it uses PCR (polymerase Chain Reaction) to determine presence by the specific detection of genetic material. This test will only indicate a result if covid is present on the swab area (10cm2) at the time of the swab It does not differentiate between viable/nonviable covid-19. As such it provides confidence but does not indicate the absence of covid in the building as a whole nor of the likelihood of contamination
Cleaning
This is a term described as the physical or chemical removal of soils (Organic/non-organic including microorganisms) from surfaces rendering them visually clean so that subsequent disinfection can be more effective.
Sanitisation
This term is used for the one-stage process of cleaning and disinfection and “sanitisers” contain both detergent and disinfectant.
Disinfection
Disinfection is the reduction of microorganisms (including bacterial spores) to a level that is deemed minimal risk to health nor the quality of perishable and other microbiologically controlled products.
Sterilization
Sterilization is the complete destruction of ALL living organisms to include bacterial spores and viruses - it is an absolute zero measurement unlike disinfection.
HOW CLEAN IS CLEAN? Commentary Source: Dellah Hickson FIFST; Intertek UKAS accredited food testing laboratory
TVC is an indicator in food stuff quality. The following table provides indicative benchmarking of TVC standards within the food industry:
TVC Results (cfu)
HERE
Interpretation guidance: TVC or total viable count is a term which covers all viable microbial growth.TVC count is the number of aerobic bacteria (those bacteria who multiply in the presence of oxygen) and that grow best at 30°C. Everything in the environment will have a certain TVC load. CFU or Colony Forming Units is the unit of measure of TVC TVC is used to monitor any environment or food stuff from a food safety perspective. Levels expected- it would be expected within ‘normal factory/food processing’ for contact areas for expected limits of 1000 cfu/swab or less to be applied. These areas are controlled with regards to hygiene and restricted access for staff, which in part is why the levels can be so tight. For non-food contact areas, the main monitoring has been visual checks, prior to Covid. When the majority of people think about microbes and potential sources, they often look towards washroom facilities and environmental factors outside, such as building sites and shared public areas. With the areas in two key buildings, these areas will not have the level of restricted access and will have high touch points that the majority of users come into contact with. This means that normal microbial levels will understandably be much higher than in restricted areas. Fortunately, (but also unfortunately for the study), the cleaning levels prior to Zoono application show that especially within one building were extremely satisfactory. With the second building we have looked at the fabrication of the 2 high value areas and whilst in good condition, the potential for biofilm formation is high. It is evident from week 3 that there has been a perceived rise in footfall, areas exhibited much higher counts yet following the cleaning these are reduced to undetectable levels or extremely low values.
Examples
Satisfactory
Borderline
Unsatisfactory
Takeaway food, burgers, kebabs, sausages, pizza , ready meals (cook/chill & cook/freeze) after regeneration