MorePeterborough, ON Canada – June 15, 2009 - Even though news about the swine flu epidemic is not making headlines for now, Mark Warner, Product Manager, Disinfectants and Sanitizers for Enviro-Solutions, says interest in infectious disease control has grown significantly.
In the past few years, Warner has conducted more than 100 disease Disinfection and Decontamination (DEFCON) seminars for all types of businesses and organizations including jansan distributors and their clients throughout North America.
Currently, he is presenting the program to chapters of the International Executive Housekeepers Association (IEHA), members of the Canadian Sanitary Supply Association, and facility managers of major schools, airports, and large facilities throughout North America.
This summer, he will meet with facility managers of several key government agencies including the U.S. Supreme Court and the U.S. Library of Congress, both in Washington, D.C., educating them how to plan for, prevent, and deal with a major health-threatening outbreak in their facilities.
“Essentially the program allows the [facility] managers to determine if a threat exists and, if so, the level of threat,” says Warner. “Then, we bring in the proper chemicals and procedures necessary to address the problem.”
According to Warner, the DEFCON program includes a four-pronged decontamination ranking system based on the health threat to a community or particular facility. The four DEFCON levels are:
In the past few years, Warner has conducted more than 100 disease Disinfection and Decontamination (DEFCON) seminars for all types of businesses and organizations including jansan distributors and their clients throughout North America.
Currently, he is presenting the program to chapters of the International Executive Housekeepers Association (IEHA), members of the Canadian Sanitary Supply Association, and facility managers of major schools, airports, and large facilities throughout North America.
This summer, he will meet with facility managers of several key government agencies including the U.S. Supreme Court and the U.S. Library of Congress, both in Washington, D.C., educating them how to plan for, prevent, and deal with a major health-threatening outbreak in their facilities.
“Essentially the program allows the [facility] managers to determine if a threat exists and, if so, the level of threat,” says Warner. “Then, we bring in the proper chemicals and procedures necessary to address the problem.”
According to Warner, the DEFCON program includes a four-pronged decontamination ranking system based on the health threat to a community or particular facility. The four DEFCON levels are:
- DEFCON1: There is essentially no infectious disease threat to the facility. Cleaning procedures are normal.
- DEFCON 2: A contagious disease or virus is present in the community; neutral cleaners are replaced with disinfectants; there is greater focus on floorcare, countertop cleaning, and disinfection cleaning of high-touch areas.
- DEFCON 3: An infectious disease contamination such as a MRSA* outbreak or swine flu is present in a facility/community, and complete disinfection and decontamination procedures of the entire facility must be implemented.
- DEFCON 4: The threat is the result of a weapons-grade pathogen, bioterrorism attack, or similar extreme emergency; at this point, trained professionals are brought in to address the problem.
