Chemstar Corporation Responds To Industry Demand By Developing An All-In-One Bodily Fluid Clean-Up Kit
Atlanta, GA - Someone unexpectedly becomes sick in a crowded grocery store. An employee cuts his hand while cleaning equipment in a food processing plant. A child has an accident in a busy play area of a fast-food restaurant. Not only are these situations unpleasant, they can also be hazardous. Bodily fluids such as vomit, blood, feces, and urine may contain viruses, bacteria, or pathogens which could cause harm to exposed individuals. Intense media focus on the recent outbreaks of norovirus, salmonella, and E. coli has resulted in the further scrutiny of cleaning and disinfection protocols, particularly in the food industry.
In response to increased concern and awareness about issues such as the highly contagious norovirus, Chemstar Corporation has developed a new all-in-one kit designed to quickly and safely sanitize an area where a bodily fluid spill has occurred. Packaged in a one-gallon sealable container, the Chemstar Norovirus and Bodily Fluid Clean-Up Kit contains the products and tools necessary for cleaning and disinfecting as well as simple, clear instructions which guide the user through each step of the process. Everything is placed back in the biohazard container for proper disposal.
"It's something that no one likes to think about, but it is extremely important to be prepared," said Gregory A. Orman, vice president of retail services with Chemstar Corporation. "When a bodily fluid spill occurs, you don't have time to think about which products and supplies are safe or even appropriate - your main focus is to get it cleaned up quickly. That's why Chemstar created a kit specifically designed for this situation. It's an affordable and convenient way to ensure that you have everything necessary to take care of the incident immediately."
The kit contains personal protective equipment such as gloves, goggles, shoe covers, and a gown; a scraper; towels; and Chemstar Absorb, a product designed to soak up fluid. Also included is Chemstar Envirox Tb, an EPA-registered disinfectant, tuberculocide, virucide, fungicide, bactericide, mildewstat, and cleaner. Chemstar Envirox Tb has a claim against norovirus and meets OSHA blood-borne pathogen standards for HBV and HIV.
As a safety precaution, all bodily fluid spills should be treated as infectious, said Orman. "If the fluid is contaminated and employees don't take proper precautions, they could unintentionally track pathogens back into the food-handling area. Food contamination could lead to an outbreak, particularly in cases of noroviruses, which are easily spread."
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 23 million cases of acute gastroenteritis are due to norovirus infection. Among the 232 outbreaks of norovirus illness reported to CDC from July 1997 to June 2000, 57% were foodborne.
"Any operation involved in the processing, preparation, or handling of food should have a couple of these kits on hand at all times," said Orman. In addition to food-related businesses, he recommends stocking the kits in retail establishments, schools, public transportation facilities, sports venues, and public service offices. "Basically, anywhere people congregate," he said.
SOURCE: Chemstar Corporation: