We are about to bring a new feature to the Banner Chemical blog called Product Spotlight. We hope that this feature will make you aware of some great Banner Chemical products that you may not have heard about before.
Each time a product is featured in the Spotlight, all orders will be 10% off for that product for 3 business days from the date of the post.
Check back frequently. We'll try and feature at least one product a week. Stay tuned - our first Product Spotlight is coming in the next few days!!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
With Soap and Water or Sanitizer, a Cleaning That Can Stave Off the Flu Stuart Bradford
From the New York Times:
Article Tools Sponsored By
By TARA PARKER-POPE
Published: September 14, 2009
It sounds so simple as to be innocuous, a throwaway line in public-health warnings about swine flu. But one of the most powerful weapons against the new H1N1 virus is summed up in a three-word phrase you first heard from your mother: wash your hands.
A host of recent studies have highlighted the importance and the scientific underpinning of this most basic hygiene measure. One of the most graphic was done at the University of California, Berkeley, where researchers focused video cameras on 10 college students as they read and typed on their laptops.
The scientists counted the times the students touched their faces, documenting every lip scratch, eye rub and nose pick. On average, the students touched their eyes, noses and lips 47 times during a three-hour period, once every four minutes.
Hand-to-face contact has a surprising impact on health. Germs can enter the body through breaks in the skin or through the membranes of the eyes, mouth and nose.
The eyes appear to be a particularly vulnerable port of entry for viral infections, said Mark Nicas, a professor of environmental health sciences at Berkeley. Using mathematical models, Dr. Nicas and colleagues estimated that in homes, schools and dorms, hand-to-face contact appears to account for about one-third of the risk of flu infection, according to a report this month in the journal Risk Analysis.
In one study of four residence halls at the University of Colorado, two of the dorms had hand sanitizer dispensers installed in every dorm room, bathroom and dining area, and students were given educational materials about the importance of hand hygiene. The remaining two dorms were used as controls, and researchers simply monitored illness rates.
During the eight-week study period, students in the dorms with ready access to hand sanitizers had a third fewer complaints of coughs, chest congestion and fever. Over all, the risk of getting sick was 20 percent lower in the dorms where hand hygiene was emphasized, and those students missed 43 percent fewer days of school.
Young children benefit, too. In a study of 6,000 elementary school students in California, Delaware, Ohio and Tennessee, students in classrooms with hand sanitizers had 20 percent fewer absences due to illness. Teacher absenteeism in those schools dropped 10 percent.
Better hand hygiene also appears to make a difference in the home, lowering the risk to other family members when one child is sick. Harvard researchers studied nearly 300 families who had children 5 or younger in day care. Half the families were given a supply of hand sanitizer and educational materials; the other half were left to practice their normal hand washing habits.
In homes with hand sanitizers, the risk of catching a gastrointestinal illness from a sick child dropped 60 percent compared with the control families. The two groups did not differ in rates of respiratory illness rates, but families with the highest rates of sanitizer use had a 20 percent lower risk of catching such an illness from a sick child.
Regular soap and water and alcohol-based hand sanitizers are both effective in eliminating the H1N1 virus from the hands. In February, researchers in Australia coated the hands of 20 volunteers with copious amounts of a seasonal H1N1 flu virus. The concentration of virus was equivalent to the amount that would occur when an infected person used a hand to wipe a runny nose.
When the subjects did not wash their hands, large amounts of live virus remained even after an hour, said the lead author, Dr. M. Lindsay Grayson, a professor of medicine at the University of Melbourne. But using soap and water or a sanitizer virtually eliminated the presence of the virus.
Frequent hand washing will not eliminate risk. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, a bystander might be splattered by large droplets or may inhale airborne particles. In a recent Harvard study of hand sanitizer use in schools, hand hygiene practices lowered risk for gastrointestinal illness but not upper respiratory infections.
Still, it is a good idea to wash your hands regularly even if you’re not in contact people who are obviously ill. In a troubling finding, a recent study of 404 British commuters found that 28 percent had fecal bacteria on their hands. In one city, 57 percent of the men sampled had contaminated hands, according to the study, which was published this month in the journal Epidemiology and Infection.
“We were surprised by the high level of contamination,” said Gaby Judah, a researcher at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Ms. Judah added that many of the contaminated commuters reported that they had washed their hands that morning. They may have been embarrassed to admit they hadn’t washed, or they may have picked up the bacteria on their hands during their commute.
For all those reasons, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with other health organizations around the world, urge frequent hand washing with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizers. (They also repeat some advice you may not have heard from your mother: cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow, not your bare hands.)
And as hospitals put stricter hand hygiene programs in place, absentee rates during cold and flu season also drop.
“Statistically, you can’t determine a causal relationship, but it’s very suggestive,” said Dr. Neil O. Fishman, infectious disease specialist at the University of Pennsylvania. “Our vaccination rates remained relatively stable, so what else changed? The only thing different was that hand hygiene rates increased.”
Join the discussion at nytimes.com/well.
Article Tools Sponsored By
By TARA PARKER-POPE
Published: September 14, 2009
It sounds so simple as to be innocuous, a throwaway line in public-health warnings about swine flu. But one of the most powerful weapons against the new H1N1 virus is summed up in a three-word phrase you first heard from your mother: wash your hands.
A host of recent studies have highlighted the importance and the scientific underpinning of this most basic hygiene measure. One of the most graphic was done at the University of California, Berkeley, where researchers focused video cameras on 10 college students as they read and typed on their laptops.
The scientists counted the times the students touched their faces, documenting every lip scratch, eye rub and nose pick. On average, the students touched their eyes, noses and lips 47 times during a three-hour period, once every four minutes.
Hand-to-face contact has a surprising impact on health. Germs can enter the body through breaks in the skin or through the membranes of the eyes, mouth and nose.
The eyes appear to be a particularly vulnerable port of entry for viral infections, said Mark Nicas, a professor of environmental health sciences at Berkeley. Using mathematical models, Dr. Nicas and colleagues estimated that in homes, schools and dorms, hand-to-face contact appears to account for about one-third of the risk of flu infection, according to a report this month in the journal Risk Analysis.
In one study of four residence halls at the University of Colorado, two of the dorms had hand sanitizer dispensers installed in every dorm room, bathroom and dining area, and students were given educational materials about the importance of hand hygiene. The remaining two dorms were used as controls, and researchers simply monitored illness rates.
During the eight-week study period, students in the dorms with ready access to hand sanitizers had a third fewer complaints of coughs, chest congestion and fever. Over all, the risk of getting sick was 20 percent lower in the dorms where hand hygiene was emphasized, and those students missed 43 percent fewer days of school.
Young children benefit, too. In a study of 6,000 elementary school students in California, Delaware, Ohio and Tennessee, students in classrooms with hand sanitizers had 20 percent fewer absences due to illness. Teacher absenteeism in those schools dropped 10 percent.
Better hand hygiene also appears to make a difference in the home, lowering the risk to other family members when one child is sick. Harvard researchers studied nearly 300 families who had children 5 or younger in day care. Half the families were given a supply of hand sanitizer and educational materials; the other half were left to practice their normal hand washing habits.
In homes with hand sanitizers, the risk of catching a gastrointestinal illness from a sick child dropped 60 percent compared with the control families. The two groups did not differ in rates of respiratory illness rates, but families with the highest rates of sanitizer use had a 20 percent lower risk of catching such an illness from a sick child.
Regular soap and water and alcohol-based hand sanitizers are both effective in eliminating the H1N1 virus from the hands. In February, researchers in Australia coated the hands of 20 volunteers with copious amounts of a seasonal H1N1 flu virus. The concentration of virus was equivalent to the amount that would occur when an infected person used a hand to wipe a runny nose.
When the subjects did not wash their hands, large amounts of live virus remained even after an hour, said the lead author, Dr. M. Lindsay Grayson, a professor of medicine at the University of Melbourne. But using soap and water or a sanitizer virtually eliminated the presence of the virus.
Frequent hand washing will not eliminate risk. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, a bystander might be splattered by large droplets or may inhale airborne particles. In a recent Harvard study of hand sanitizer use in schools, hand hygiene practices lowered risk for gastrointestinal illness but not upper respiratory infections.
Still, it is a good idea to wash your hands regularly even if you’re not in contact people who are obviously ill. In a troubling finding, a recent study of 404 British commuters found that 28 percent had fecal bacteria on their hands. In one city, 57 percent of the men sampled had contaminated hands, according to the study, which was published this month in the journal Epidemiology and Infection.
“We were surprised by the high level of contamination,” said Gaby Judah, a researcher at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Ms. Judah added that many of the contaminated commuters reported that they had washed their hands that morning. They may have been embarrassed to admit they hadn’t washed, or they may have picked up the bacteria on their hands during their commute.
For all those reasons, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with other health organizations around the world, urge frequent hand washing with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizers. (They also repeat some advice you may not have heard from your mother: cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow, not your bare hands.)
And as hospitals put stricter hand hygiene programs in place, absentee rates during cold and flu season also drop.
“Statistically, you can’t determine a causal relationship, but it’s very suggestive,” said Dr. Neil O. Fishman, infectious disease specialist at the University of Pennsylvania. “Our vaccination rates remained relatively stable, so what else changed? The only thing different was that hand hygiene rates increased.”
Join the discussion at nytimes.com/well.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Banner Chemical Winter Bulletin
Winter is fast approaching and the time is now to start thinking about icemelters.
Last season was a huge snow year in New Jersey and the Tri-State area. With record snows in the Midwest and New England as well, we experienced major shortages on most products. This year, we are again expecting most of our suppliers to run out of product mid-season, especially if we get early snow and ice.
Don't get caught short! Contact Dave, Stan, Charlie or Bill at Banner Chemical right now to take advantage of early season discounts on:
Magnesium Chloride pellets & flake
Calcium Chloride pellets & flake
Halite Rock Salt
Combotherm
Professional Grade Ice Melter (Calcium Blend)
Urea (environmentally preferable ice melt)
& many others
Banner Chemical
111 Hill Street
Orange, NJ 07050
ph-973-676-2900
fax-973-676-4564
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Senate extends Clunkers program
Banner chemical has Sodium Silicate needed for Cash For Clunkers program in stock now!!!
by Ken Thomas and Laurie Kellman (from the AP)
WASHINGTON — The Senate reached a deal on saving the dwindling "cash for clunkers" program late Wednesday, agreeing to vote on a plan that would add $2 billion to the popular rebate program and give car shoppers until Labor Day to trade in their gas-guzzlers for a new ride.
Following lengthy negotiations, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Democrats and Republicans had agreed to vote on the plan Thursday, along with a series of potential changes to the bill, which was passed by the House last week. Reid has said Democrats have enough votes to approve the measure and reject any changes that would cause an interruption in the rebates of up to $4,500.
Reid said the agreement "accomplishes what we need to accomplish."
Late Wednesday, it was not clear that any of the proposed amendments stood a chance of passing. Some of them included placing an income limit on those benefiting from the vouchers and requiring the government to sell off its stakes in General Motors Co. and Chrysler Group LLC.
Any Senate changes to the bill would require another vote in the House, something that couldn't take place until the House returns in September from a monthlong recess.
The government said Wednesday that more than $775 million of the $1 billion fund had been spent, accounting for nearly 185,000 new vehicles sold. President Barack Obama has said the program would go broke by Friday if not replenished by Congress.
Administration officials have estimated the additional $2 billion could fund another 500,000 vehicle sales and last into Labor Day.
That's the same day the Senate was to follow the House into the August recess, a looming break that Senate leaders often use to prod their colleagues past standoffs.
"We all acknowledge there's a significant majority that want to move forward with this legislation," Reid, D-Nev., said earlier in the day, adding that he has the votes to approve the House-passed version as is.
His Republican counterpart, Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, concurred that the matter would be settled soon. And objectors conceded they do not have the votes to force all of the changes they want, or to block the House version of the bill.
"My guess is, at the end of the day, it will pass," said Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., who called it an example of "Congress choosing winners and losers among industries."
The program offers car buyers rebates of between $3,500 and $4,500 for trading in their gas-guzzlers for new, higher-mileage models.
The new funding would triple the cost of $1 billion rebate program and give as many as a half-million more Americans the chance to grab the new car incentives through September.
Car companies have credited the clunkers program with driving up sales in late July. Most consumers are buying smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles under the program, according to a list of the top-10 selling cars released Wednesday by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Among manufacturers, General Motors Co. had the largest share, accounting for 18.7 percent of new sales, followed by Toyota Motor Corp. with 17.9 percent. Ford Motor Co. was third with 16 percent of the sales. Detroit automakers represented 45.3 percent of the total sales while Japan's Toyota, Honda Motor Co. and Nissan Motor Co. accounted for 36.5 percent.
The Toyota Corolla is the top-selling vehicle on the list, followed by the Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Toyota Prius and the Toyota Camry. There is one SUV on the list, the Ford Escape, which also comes in a hybrid model that can get up to 32 miles per gallon. Six of the top-10 selling vehicles are built by foreign manufacturers, but most are built in North America.
If the Senate approves the additional money, it's likely to lead automakers to increase production and bring back laid-off workers. Many automakers reported low inventories due to increased sales from the program at the end of July. Already Hyundai Motor Co. has added a day of production to its Montgomery, Ala., plant, and Ford is considering increases.
Ford's chief financial officer, Lewis Booth, said Wednesday night the company would decide this month and make an announcement in early September.
Among states, Michigan has taken most advantage of the program, requesting more than $44 million in vehicle vouchers. California dealers had requested nearly $40 million in vouchers, and Ohio had sought nearly $38 million.
Senate passage would send the legislation to the White House for Obama's signature and assure consumers there will be no interruption in the program that has led to packed car dealerships nationwide.
The deals are aimed at boosting auto sales, which have been at their lowest levels in two decades.
AP Auto Writer Tom Krisher in Traverse City, Mich., contributed to this report.
___
On the Net:
Car Allowance Rebate System: http://www.cars.gov
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Banner Chemical has Sodium Silicate in stock now.
Sodium Silicate solution is needed for car dealers to participate in the new Cars for Clunkers program.
http://www.cashforclunkersfacts.com/car-dealers/engine-destruction
Sodium Silicate solution
FOB Orange NJ
Please call for pricing 973-676-2900.
Get involved while its HOT!!!!!!
http://www.cashforclunkersfacts.com/car-dealers/engine-destruction
Sodium Silicate solution
FOB Orange NJ
Please call for pricing 973-676-2900.
Get involved while its HOT!!!!!!
The Cash for Clunkers Executioner
On Friday July 24, 2009 the NHTSA published their “Final Rule” document which outlines a number of new ideas surrounding the Cash for Clunker bill and the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS).
One of the of the most interesting items was the detail in which the NHTSA describes how dealers have to “kill” the engine of the clunker being traded in. This is the first time dealers were told that they would have to drain a few quarts of oil from each clunker and inject a Sodium Silicate solution which would render the engine inoperable.
Introducing the role of “Doctor Death”
Here is the wording from the NHTSA Final Rule document:
The agency has determined that a quick, inexpensive, and environmentally safe process exists to disable the engine of the trade-in vehicle while in the dealer’s possession. Removing the engine oil from the crankcase, replacing it with a 40 percent solution of sodium silicate (a substance used in similar concentrations in many common vehicle applications, including patching mufflers and radiators), and running the engine for a short period of time at low speeds renders the engine inoperable.
Generally, this will require just two quarts of the sodium silicate solution. The retail price for two quarts of this solution (enough to disable the largest engine under the program) is under $7, and the time involved should not substantially exceed that of a typical oil change.
The agency has tested this method at its Vehicle Research and Test Center and found it safe, quick, and effective. As with many materials used in the vehicle service area of a dealership, certain common precautions need to be taken when using sodium silicate.
The same is true with regard to workers who may come in contact with the substance during the crushing or shredding of the engine block. We have discussed the matter with the EPA and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and are aware of no detrimental effects related to the disposal of the engine block with this material in it.
The agency considered several possible methods of rendering the engine inoperable. The agency was looking for a method that was safe for workers involved, completely effective, environmentally sound, and relatively inexpensive for a dealer to
use. NHTSA’s Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC) tested various methods and prepared a report (placed in the docket) summarizing the tests. VRTC evaluated four options:
(1) the use of sodium silicate solution in the manner the agency has now adopted;
(2) destroying the oil filter sealing land and threaded fastener boss;
(3) drilling a hole in the engine block; and
(4) running the engine without oil.
VRTC concluded that the sodium silicate method was the best option. The other methods all had significant problems related to their effectiveness, practical limitations based on vehicle variations, and/or safety risks for workers involved. Sodium Silicate solution is a mixture of water and sodium silicate solids.
When, after draining the oil, it is introduced into the engine oil system, the oil pump is able to distribute the solution throughout the engine oiling system. The heat of the operating engine then dehydrates the solution leaving solid sodium silicate distributed throughout the engine’s oiled surfaces and moving parts. These solids quickly abrade the bearings causing the engine to seize while damaging the moving parts of the engine and coating all of the oil passages.
Only a small amount of sodium silicate remains in solution after completion of the process. Many of the engine parts will be unaffected by this process such as: intake and exhaust manifolds, bolt-on components, and fuel system components.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
SPECIAL BLOWOUT PRICE ON LOW ACID BOWL CLEANER
Banner Chemical has in stock right now 23 cases, 4 gallons to the case of a 9% acid toilet bowl cleaner. We accidentally manufactured the product blue in color. Since the product is called, Snowhite, I'm looking to move it at drastically reduced price.
Normally, distributor cost of Snowhite gallons is $19.95/case
But, while supplies last, on a first come first serve basis we will sell the cases for $9.00, FOB Orange, NJ.
This is an excellent quality bowl cleaner. The only thing wrong with it is that it's blue, which can also be a selling point for a bowl cleaner.
Call now to take advantage of this special offer.
Normally, distributor cost of Snowhite gallons is $19.95/case
But, while supplies last, on a first come first serve basis we will sell the cases for $9.00, FOB Orange, NJ.
This is an excellent quality bowl cleaner. The only thing wrong with it is that it's blue, which can also be a selling point for a bowl cleaner.
Call now to take advantage of this special offer.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
OilMaster 7X-The new "Green" alternative to Speedy-Dry
Developed by scientists at Cornell University, Oilmaster is 7 times more absorbent than traditional clay absorbents and its totally green. No need for that dusty harmful silica contained in traditional clay absorbent. Check out this video to see Oilmaster in action.
Do you think your customers would be interested in such a powerful absorbent? What If I told you it was more economical than clay as well? Please call Dave at Banner Chemical to discuss Oilmaster today. Samples are available.
Do you think your customers would be interested in such a powerful absorbent? What If I told you it was more economical than clay as well? Please call Dave at Banner Chemical to discuss Oilmaster today. Samples are available.
Monday, May 18, 2009
SWINE FLU UPDATE
The following Bulletin has just been released by the Stapan company regarding disinfectant products effective against Swine Flu. Banner Chemical's Ban-Dis line of hard surface disinfectants, which is registered through Stepan, do make a claim to kill Influenza A (Hong Kong).
Update on H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)
May 2009
List of Disinfectants Registered for Use Against Human Influenza A Viruses
In response to the emerging threat posed by the spread of the 2009-H1N1 Flu, disinfecting hard
surfaces is one way to help stop the spread of this virus. A list of over 500 antimicrobial products
registered by EPA for use against influenza A viruses on hard surfaces is available at
http://www.epa.gov/oppad001/influenza-disinfectants.html. Stepan has over 35 products
listed! EPA-registered products have label information that states they are effective against
"Influenza A virus."
EPA emphasizes the importance of following label instructions to ensure the safe and effective
use of these products in specific sites, including hospitals and other health care settings, homes,
schools, offices and farms. Registered disinfectant products are for use on hard, non-porous
surfaces, such as door knobs, handles, tables, floors, etc.
Correction: Please note that our April Quat of Month indicated Detergent Disinfectant Pump Spray
(EPA Reg. No. 1839-83) is effective against both Avian Influenza and Human Influenza virus. Stepan’s Detergent Disinfectant Pump Spray is effective against two strains of Avian influenza A – H3N2 and H9N2. There is no claim of Human Influenza A virus on 1839-83. While a product may not indicate H1N1 or swine flu, if it lists Influenza A, it will be effective against Influenza A regardless of the specific subtype. EPA has chosen to focus on those registrations effective against Human Influenza A virus.
What about those that already have swine flu on their label?
The original swine flu has been around since the 1930's. It is possible a registrant could have
tested the original swine flu strain which is still relevant to the swine industry.
The novel influenza A (H1N1) flu that is currently causing a global pandemic is a genetic
reassortment of swine flu, avian flu, and human flu. To our knowledge, only one test lab has
received this H1N1 flu strain from CDC, and this lab is not yet ready to test biocide products.
Hence, it is our understanding that no one is in a position to make a claim against this version of
the H1N1 "swine flu" on an EPA-registered disinfectant label.
ISSA Webinar on Swine Flu
The International Sanitary and Supply Association (ISSA) hosted a webinar Swine Flu: Cleaning
and Disinfection Tips to Prevent Cross-Contamination on May 7. The webinar was led by veteran health-care consultant Beatrix Babcock. A recorded version of the webinar is available (free for ISSA members and $149 for non-ISSA member). E-mail martha@issa.com to request a copy.
Sources: www.epa.gov, www.issa.com
Update on H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)
May 2009
List of Disinfectants Registered for Use Against Human Influenza A Viruses
In response to the emerging threat posed by the spread of the 2009-H1N1 Flu, disinfecting hard
surfaces is one way to help stop the spread of this virus. A list of over 500 antimicrobial products
registered by EPA for use against influenza A viruses on hard surfaces is available at
http://www.epa.gov/oppad001/influenza-disinfectants.html. Stepan has over 35 products
listed! EPA-registered products have label information that states they are effective against
"Influenza A virus."
EPA emphasizes the importance of following label instructions to ensure the safe and effective
use of these products in specific sites, including hospitals and other health care settings, homes,
schools, offices and farms. Registered disinfectant products are for use on hard, non-porous
surfaces, such as door knobs, handles, tables, floors, etc.
Correction: Please note that our April Quat of Month indicated Detergent Disinfectant Pump Spray
(EPA Reg. No. 1839-83) is effective against both Avian Influenza and Human Influenza virus. Stepan’s Detergent Disinfectant Pump Spray is effective against two strains of Avian influenza A – H3N2 and H9N2. There is no claim of Human Influenza A virus on 1839-83. While a product may not indicate H1N1 or swine flu, if it lists Influenza A, it will be effective against Influenza A regardless of the specific subtype. EPA has chosen to focus on those registrations effective against Human Influenza A virus.
What about those that already have swine flu on their label?
The original swine flu has been around since the 1930's. It is possible a registrant could have
tested the original swine flu strain which is still relevant to the swine industry.
The novel influenza A (H1N1) flu that is currently causing a global pandemic is a genetic
reassortment of swine flu, avian flu, and human flu. To our knowledge, only one test lab has
received this H1N1 flu strain from CDC, and this lab is not yet ready to test biocide products.
Hence, it is our understanding that no one is in a position to make a claim against this version of
the H1N1 "swine flu" on an EPA-registered disinfectant label.
ISSA Webinar on Swine Flu
The International Sanitary and Supply Association (ISSA) hosted a webinar Swine Flu: Cleaning
and Disinfection Tips to Prevent Cross-Contamination on May 7. The webinar was led by veteran health-care consultant Beatrix Babcock. A recorded version of the webinar is available (free for ISSA members and $149 for non-ISSA member). E-mail martha@issa.com to request a copy.
Sources: www.epa.gov, www.issa.com
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Disinfecting for Swine Flu
Banner Chemical's Disinfectant line, "Ban-Dis," is effective against the Influenza A virus, when used as directed. It is possible that this could mean it also is effective against Swine Flu. However, the CDC has not yet tested for Swine flu, so there is no definitive way to know if any products could make Swine Flu claims.
Here is the April Bulletin from Stepan, the company that holds Banner Chemical's BAN-DIS registration, concerning disinfectant products and Swine Flu:
Highlight: Swine Flu in the News
On Sunday, April 26, The U.S. Department of Homeland Security declared a public
health emergency in an attempt to stop the spread of swine flu virus.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website (www.cdc.gov), as
well as the World Health Organization (WHO) website (http://www.who.int/en/), are
two reputable sources for up-to-date information on the swine flu. As of April 30,
2009, there have been 109 confirmed cases and one death reported in the United
States. Worldwide, there are 257 cases in nine countries. The World Health
Organization raised the phase for pandemic alert from Phase 4 to Phase 5. This
phase is characterized by human-to-human spread of the virus into at least two
countries in one WHO region.
What is swine flu?
Swine influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza
virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs. Swine flu viruses cause
high levels of illness but have low death rates in pigs. Swine influenza viruses may
circulate among swine throughout the year, but most outbreaks occur during the late
fall and winter months similar to outbreaks in humans. The classical swine flu virus
(an influenza type A H1N1 virus) was first isolated from a pig in 1930.
How many swine flu viruses are there?
Like all influenza viruses, swine flu viruses change constantly. Pigs can be infected by
avian influenza and human influenza viruses as well as swine influenza viruses. When
influenza viruses from different species infect pigs, the viruses can reassort (i.e.
swap genes), and new viruses that are a mix of swine, human and/or avian influenza
viruses, can emerge. Over the years, different variations of swine flu viruses have
emerged. At this time, there are four main influenza type A virus subtypes that have
been isolated in pigs: H1N1, H1N2, H3N2, and H3N1. However, most of the recently
isolated influenza viruses from pigs have been H1N1 viruses.
Does Stepan offer any biocidal formulations that are effective against the
swine influenza as reported in the news?
Stepan Company does not have a swine influenza claim on any of our registered
disinfectants/sanitizers, therefore you cannot make a claim of efficacy against swine
influenza on any subregistration. The "swine flu" is a genetic reassortment of the
H1N1 virus that contains elements of swine, avian, and human influenza. None of
the contract testing labs are likely to have this virus available for testing for quite
some time.
However, Stepan knows from experience that influenza strains are enveloped viruses
and that quaternary disinfectants are effective against enveloped viruses. Many
Stepan disinfectants are effective against both avian and human flu virus strains,
and Stepan has reason to believe that these disinfectants would be effective against
the swine flu strain that is making headlines. Noted on the next page are those
Stepan subregistrations that are effective against both avian influenza virus and
human influenza virus.
Visit us at www.stepan.com
US EPA Guidance
Ms. Michele Wingfield, Branch Chief, Product Science Branch of the US EPA Office of
Pesticide Programs, Antimicrobial Division is recommending the use of any registered
product with label claim against Influenza A. If your products have an Influenza A
label claim, you can use against the current H1N1 strain. That being said, you
cannot add "swine flu" to your label just because you have influenza A. The
Administration is currently calling this strain 2009-H1N1 flu instead of swine flu.
Other Stepan subregistrations
effective against both avian influenza virus and human influenza virus
US EPA Registration No. Registration Name
1839-79 NP4.5 Detergent/Disinfectant
1839-83 Detergent Disinfectant Pump Spray
1839-86 BTC® 2125M 10% Solution
1839-95 NP 4.5 (D&F) Detergent/Disinfectant
1839-155 BTC® 2125M 20% Solution
1839-166 BTC® 885 Neutral Disinfectant Cleaner-128
1839-167 BTC® 885 Neutral Disinfectant Cleaner-256
1839-169 BTC® 885 Neutral Disinfectant Cleaner-64
1839-173* 7.5% BTC® 885 Disinfectant/Sanitizer
*All of the above are registered in the State of California and Canada except for EPA Reg. No. 1839-173.
The term “swine flu”
WHO will stop using the term “swine flu” after the agricultural industry and the U.N.
food agency expressed concern that the term “swine flu” was misleading consumers
and needlessly causing countries to order the slaughter of pigs. WHO will be
referencing the virus by its technical scientific name H1N1 influenza A.
Here is the April Bulletin from Stepan, the company that holds Banner Chemical's BAN-DIS registration, concerning disinfectant products and Swine Flu:
Highlight: Swine Flu in the News
On Sunday, April 26, The U.S. Department of Homeland Security declared a public
health emergency in an attempt to stop the spread of swine flu virus.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website (www.cdc.gov), as
well as the World Health Organization (WHO) website (http://www.who.int/en/), are
two reputable sources for up-to-date information on the swine flu. As of April 30,
2009, there have been 109 confirmed cases and one death reported in the United
States. Worldwide, there are 257 cases in nine countries. The World Health
Organization raised the phase for pandemic alert from Phase 4 to Phase 5. This
phase is characterized by human-to-human spread of the virus into at least two
countries in one WHO region.
What is swine flu?
Swine influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza
virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs. Swine flu viruses cause
high levels of illness but have low death rates in pigs. Swine influenza viruses may
circulate among swine throughout the year, but most outbreaks occur during the late
fall and winter months similar to outbreaks in humans. The classical swine flu virus
(an influenza type A H1N1 virus) was first isolated from a pig in 1930.
How many swine flu viruses are there?
Like all influenza viruses, swine flu viruses change constantly. Pigs can be infected by
avian influenza and human influenza viruses as well as swine influenza viruses. When
influenza viruses from different species infect pigs, the viruses can reassort (i.e.
swap genes), and new viruses that are a mix of swine, human and/or avian influenza
viruses, can emerge. Over the years, different variations of swine flu viruses have
emerged. At this time, there are four main influenza type A virus subtypes that have
been isolated in pigs: H1N1, H1N2, H3N2, and H3N1. However, most of the recently
isolated influenza viruses from pigs have been H1N1 viruses.
Does Stepan offer any biocidal formulations that are effective against the
swine influenza as reported in the news?
Stepan Company does not have a swine influenza claim on any of our registered
disinfectants/sanitizers, therefore you cannot make a claim of efficacy against swine
influenza on any subregistration. The "swine flu" is a genetic reassortment of the
H1N1 virus that contains elements of swine, avian, and human influenza. None of
the contract testing labs are likely to have this virus available for testing for quite
some time.
However, Stepan knows from experience that influenza strains are enveloped viruses
and that quaternary disinfectants are effective against enveloped viruses. Many
Stepan disinfectants are effective against both avian and human flu virus strains,
and Stepan has reason to believe that these disinfectants would be effective against
the swine flu strain that is making headlines. Noted on the next page are those
Stepan subregistrations that are effective against both avian influenza virus and
human influenza virus.
Visit us at www.stepan.com
US EPA Guidance
Ms. Michele Wingfield, Branch Chief, Product Science Branch of the US EPA Office of
Pesticide Programs, Antimicrobial Division is recommending the use of any registered
product with label claim against Influenza A. If your products have an Influenza A
label claim, you can use against the current H1N1 strain. That being said, you
cannot add "swine flu" to your label just because you have influenza A. The
Administration is currently calling this strain 2009-H1N1 flu instead of swine flu.
Other Stepan subregistrations
effective against both avian influenza virus and human influenza virus
US EPA Registration No. Registration Name
1839-79 NP4.5 Detergent/Disinfectant
1839-83 Detergent Disinfectant Pump Spray
1839-86 BTC® 2125M 10% Solution
1839-95 NP 4.5 (D&F) Detergent/Disinfectant
1839-155 BTC® 2125M 20% Solution
1839-166 BTC® 885 Neutral Disinfectant Cleaner-128
1839-167 BTC® 885 Neutral Disinfectant Cleaner-256
1839-169 BTC® 885 Neutral Disinfectant Cleaner-64
1839-173* 7.5% BTC® 885 Disinfectant/Sanitizer
*All of the above are registered in the State of California and Canada except for EPA Reg. No. 1839-173.
The term “swine flu”
WHO will stop using the term “swine flu” after the agricultural industry and the U.N.
food agency expressed concern that the term “swine flu” was misleading consumers
and needlessly causing countries to order the slaughter of pigs. WHO will be
referencing the virus by its technical scientific name H1N1 influenza A.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Campaigning For Green
from Sanitary Maintenance Magazine:
Dan Josephs is a man on a mission — a mission that his neighbors to the North (New York) and friends in the Midwest (Illinois) have already successfully embarked upon.
As general manager of Garwood, N.J.-based Spruce Industries and vice president and committee chair for the New Jersey Sanitary Supply Association (NJSSA), Josephs has been working tirelessly to make a personal goal come to fruition — develop legislation that mandates the procurement and use of green cleaning products in all K-12 schools in the state of New Jersey.
Already an advocate of green cleaning products and processes, Josephs’ interest in green cleaning legislation was piqued when in August 2005, New York became the first state in the United States to pass a law specifically centering on the purchase and use of green cleaning products in K-12 schools.
With Spruce Industries headquartered just a hop, skip and a jump from the New York state line, and schools making up nearly half of the company’s customer base, Josephs decided it was in his company’s best interest to get involved and help facilitate something in New Jersey that mirrors the legislation passed in New York.
“We are trying to take a leadership role in order to help schools create a healthier environment for their students and staff,” he says. “We want to show that our industry is not just about selling, but also about educating our customers.”
But to Josephs’ surprise, the state of New Jersey responded to New York’s green cleaning legislation…or so he thought. In January 2006, New Jersey Governor Richard J. Codey signed an Executive Order (No. 76) directing all state departments to purchase and use environmentally preferable cleaning products. However, the state departments were only encouraged to comply with the provision of the Executive Order as it relates to purchasing green cleaning products. Plus, county and municipal governments, as well as school districts were not subjected to the Executive Order’s requirements — a decision that has left Josephs and others in New Jersey puzzled.
“The Executive Order is like a recommended speed limit, nobody is enforcing it,” Josephs explains. “And it’s only for state facilities and doesn’t include schools.”
Soon thereafter, another state adopted green cleaning legislation for schools. The Green Clean Schools Act was signed in August 2007, making Illinois the second state in the nation to require green cleaning in K-12 schools. Chicago-based Healthy Schools Campaign, an independent not-for-profit organization, was instrumental in championing the bill and building a coalition to support it. The Green Clean Schools Act debuted in Illinois K-12 schools on May 9, 2008.
Other states followed suit in 2008, as Missouri and Maine both enacted green cleaning guidelines of their own. However, these guidelines are not required mandates like those in New York and Illinois. And as of early April 2009, the Healthy Schools Campaign says it is tracking 11 states that have proposed some form of a green cleaning procurement policy for K-12 schools. But if Josephs has any say in the matter, he would like to see New Jersey added to that list by the end of this year.
He has already built a coalition of key stakeholders that includes NJSSA members (jan/san distributors and jan/san manufacturers), teachers, custodians, advocacy groups and associations in the state of New Jersey to help legislators and state officials understand the importance of green cleaning in K-12 schools.
Because this issue is very political, Josephs says there is always the possibility of some organization or “rogue manufacturer” in the state that will use legislation to push its own agenda. For that reason, Josephs is doing his best to get out in front of the issue so distributors in New Jersey are not left at a disadvantage.
“Our state organization, the NJSSA, represents many distributors and manufacturers throughout New Jersey and we feel that green cleaning legislation in schools will directly affect our members,” he says.
Josephs isn’t the only jan/san distributor who is tugging on the coattails of legislators to pass green cleaning legislation in schools, however. Neenah Miller, green consultant with Knoxville, Tenn.-based Kelsan Inc., and Laura Craven, director of communications and marketing with Miami-based Dade Paper, are also leading coalitions to green America’s schools in the states of Tennessee and Florida respectively.
No Child Left Behind
Like Josephs, both Miller and Craven are striving to make the learning environment in K-12 schools green and clean in their states. But along the path to greening America’s classrooms, both have found it to be somewhat of a daunting task.
Craven and Dade Paper have been communicating the benefits of what a green cleaning program can do for the well-being of building occupants for the last three years. However, it hasn’t taken off in the K-12 market like the company initially thought it would.
“We really thought the schools would be the first to take the step to green cleaning,” says Craven. “Instead we found it was the hotels and entertainment industry (arenas, performing arts).”
So, Craven has been proactively pushing green cleaning throughout Florida in any way she can, hoping that she will soon be heard and green cleaning will soon stick with K-12 schools. But she knows she’s up for a challenge, especially because of Florida’s past ruling on green cleaning legislation. A bill proposed for green cleaning in 2007 to be required in all government agencies and public schools did not pass.
Craven has made it her own personal agenda to spend each working day drawing up the blueprints for how she can help improve the environment children are learning in. Through green cleaning, Craven says the improvement of indoor air quality (IAQ) has such an enormous impact on human health. In fact, studies show that poor IAQ can trigger asthma attacks, skin and eye irritations and headaches, which all diminish a child’s ability to learn.
Currently, Craven is reaching out to Florida’s city leaders to form a coalition statewide. She recently presented a green cleaning proposal to the City of Miami Beach and convinced the city leaders that green cleaning be adopted in its public schools. Craven is hoping that by taking baby steps and getting legislation passed city by city, that it will eventually work its way up to the state capitol and become law for the entire state.
Like Craven, Miller has also gone off the beaten path to educate industry personnel and everyday people on the benefits of green cleaning in Tennessee. With a child in school herself, Miller says improving the environment children are learning in really hits home with her.
“When I started really getting involved in green cleaning and learning about green chemicals and all of the different effects that they can have on the environment, not just chemicals, but using recycled paper, filtration on vacuum cleaners and how that affects your indoor air quality, it just made so much sense and it became a passion for me,” says Miller. “I don’t understand why you wouldn’t want to do these things. It’s not going to make your life any harder than what it is and it’s not going to cost you any more. So, why don’t you go ahead and do it. It’s the right thing to do.”
Over the last couple of years, Miller has been able to get K-12 schools in Tennessee to recognize her mission — that they can make a big difference in the way that they clean by the products they use. In fact, Miller and Kelsan have been successful in getting several schools to implement green cleaning programs. Although it is a small victory each time a school swaps out traditional cleaning products with green products, Miller will not be satisfied until each K-12 school in Tennessee is mandated to do so.
“There’s still a much needed mandate,” she explains. “A lot of our schools are rural and don’t really know what green is. Most people think it’s only for tree-huggers.”
Although she may have her hands full in getting Tennessee to mandate the purchase and use of green products in K-12 schools, Miller is not backing down. She continues to spread word about green cleaning in schools through her personal Web site (greencleanourschools.com), working on expanding her coalition, and has gone as far as drafting her own bill to introduce to state legislators. However, she understands if she wants green cleaning to become a mandate in Tennessee schools, she’s got to get the proper backing from others in her state.
“If I can get enough people on board with me and find somebody who’s in office that understands the importance of this issue and will get behind us and sponsor us in this, maybe we’ll be right there,” Miller says.
Can’t Go Wrong
Because the United States is in a fever pitch over everything and anything green — sustainability is being preached by President Barack Obama — there is no better time for distributors to jumpstart green cleaning legislation in their respective states.
“It is the right time to push green cleaning,” says Mark Bishop, deputy director of the Healthy Schools Campaign. “It’s a challenging time for the economy, but at the same time, people recognize the need to have more sustainable practices, healthy practices and to really do things to have a broader perspective of helping our building occupants and our communities.”
Besides being a ripe time for distributors to lead advocacy campaigns towards green cleaning legislation and being “the right thing to do,” Stephen Ashkin, president of the Ashkin Group LLC, Bloomington, Ind., says it can also be a brilliant business strategy.
“This is going to happen,” he says. “So either you can wait and have your competitor do it, let an advocacy group do it, or you can get involved right from the beginning and get credit for it. It’s just good business.”
Distributors can also use their position as leaders of a green coalition to brand themselves apart from their competition in the marketplace.
“Everyone’s looking for a differentiation in the marketplace,” says Bishop. “And if you can differentiate yourself by providing better service, better products, better health and you’re doing it in a cost-effective way, it’s a positive story that can really promote benefits in multiple areas.”
Also, when distributors are influential in creating the legislation, it typically means that customers will come to them once legislation is passed because they are familiar with what the legislation is and how to do it, says Ashkin.
“So if there’s a requirement that comes down for schools, schools typically would prefer to work with someone that actually knows what is going on,” he says. “And if distributors are able to say we’re the ones who helped put this together, it really does give them a competitive advantage in the marketplace.”
Vince Fagan, vice president of United Supply Service Inc., a Chicago-based jan/san distributor knows this situation all too well. When the Healthy Schools Campaign was reaching out to key stakeholders to build its successful Illinois coalition, Fagan was asked to share his knowledge from a distributor’s perspective.
Not only did Fagan convince opponents of the bill on the benefits of green cleaning in schools, he also got legislators to buy into the true benefits of green cleaning and understand why the marketplace is going in this direction. After green cleaning legislation passed in Illinois, Fagan’s distributorship was a popular first call for end users.
“You as a distributor get to have the limelight on your distributorship,” says Fagan. “Like for us, we were one of the proactive distributors in Chicago that got this thing going. You will definitely get lots of mileage out of it, but it should really only be considered a secondary deal.”
What If?
Josephs, Craven and Miller are all very optimistic that green cleaning legislation for K-12 schools will soon become a reality in their respective states. But if their efforts come up short, they say there won’t be any repercussions to their business — they’ll just take the disappointment in stride and continue to get schools to adopt green cleaning programs one school at a time.
“If it doesn’t get passed, I don’t see any repercussion,” Josephs says. “We will still continue to push green and educate our customers, but there is always the downside that those schools that aren’t using green products are endangering the students and staff. The sooner schools switch to green, the healthier everyone will be.”
Distributors who are already leading coalitions in their states hope that other distributors in the jan/san industry take notice and begin taking control in their states and start coalitions aimed at greening America’s schools.
“Other distributors should become involved in trying to lead the charge for green cleaning in schools in their states,” says Miller. “Our customers look to us for guidance about the products we sell. We are in a unique position of being well informed about a vast array of products, both green and traditional, and we have the opportunity to talk with manufacturers’ representatives and test the products. We are the experts when it comes to cleaning and therefore we should feel some responsibility to educate the public and help to transform the way our childrens’ schools are cleaned.”
Building From The Ground UpAlthough legislation efforts related to green cleaning in schools were introduced in 17 states in 2007 and 2008, few resulted in new laws or policies, according to the Healthy Schools Campaign, Chicago. In fact, the success and failure of an advocacy effort can be traced to a particular group’s strategy and its coalition. So, as distributors begin developing their own green cleaning campaign, they can greatly improve their chances for success by investing time in planning a solid strategy and building strong relationships with coalition members. By working with a group that shares the same goals, distributors can show elected officials how important their coalition’s goals are. In fact, the more constituents a policymaker hears from that share the same views, the more influential it will be. So, it is a good idea to build a coalition with people who approach green cleaning from diverse perspectives, says Mark Bishop, deputy director of the Healthy Schools Campaign. Parents, health professionals, businesspeople (cleaning product manufacturers, building service contractors and in-house service professionals), labor union representatives, educators, environmentalists and religious leaders are just some of the people who may be affected by green cleaning policy changes and may be interested in joining a coalition to promote green cleaning in schools, he says. Elected officials will also be more responsive when they recognize that a coalition represents a cross-section of their constituents, according to Stephen Ashkin, president of The Ashkin Group LLC, Bloomington, Ind. Taken as a whole, a diverse group represents a community movement and cannot be dismissed as an isolated viewpoint. Particularly on an issue such as green cleaning, a powerful strategy to advocate for change would be to bring together a coalition that includes the education, public health and business communities, as well as environmentalists. It is also beneficial to connect with representatives from national organizations, as they can often connect a coalition with leaders from their organization’s state chapters. In fact, these state chapters often have an interest in promoting green cleaning policy and have resources or expertise that they are able to put toward the effort. “If we can build these coalitions that include environmentalists, health groups, education groups, industry and business interest groups, there’s really no reason why in the next two years or so we’re not going to be able to get broad acceptance of green cleaning and programs in schools across the country,” says Bishop. “There’s just too much interest in it and there’s just too much common sense behind it.”
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Thursday, January 22, 2009
2009 ISSA Foundation Scholarship Program
2009 ISSA Foundation Scholarship Program
Application Deadline April 1st!
Applications are being accepted for the 2009 ISSA Foundation Scholarship Program, which makes scholarships available to ISSA member company employees and their family members! The majority of the estimated 50 scholarship awards to be presented for the 2009-10 academic year are set in the amount of US$3,000 each.
To be eligible for the scholarships, applicants must plan on attending an accredited four-year institution of higher learning in the fall of 2009. Scholarship winners will be selected based on the criteria stated in the application. Applications should be postmarked no later than April 1, 2009 in order to be considered, and can be downloaded at www.issafoundation.org. ISSA encourages its members to take advantage of this scholarship program. Applications can be obtained by visiting the ISSA Foundation website or by contacting Tracy Weber at 800-225-4772.
Last year, more than 50 scholarships amounting to more than $160,000 were awarded. In 2009, a total of 24 District Scholarships will be awarded to residents of the eight ISSA membership districts in the United States. Also available are 20-plus designated awards, including the the Louis G. Goorland Award; the New England Sanitary Supply Association Award; the New Jersey Sanitary Supply Association Award (Two scholarships); the NYCO/Robert J. and Mary Ann Stahurski Award; the RDA Advantage Scholarship Award; the Roger and Victoria Parrott Award; the Samuel A. Robin Award; Southern California Sanitary Supply Award; the Spartan Chemical Co.’s E.T. Swigart Award, and the Edward Lane National Sanitary Supply Co Award, which is added to one of the 24 District Scholarship winners to bring this award recipient’s total to $6,000. Also available is the Jack D. Ramaley Award, which provides up to four years of undergraduate and/or graduate school - a potential $12,000 total award - as long as the recipient maintains a “B” or better average and continues to exemplify leadership qualities.
| ISSA Foundation 7373 N. Lincoln Ave., Lincolnwood, IL 60712-1799 847-982-0800 * 800-225-4772 * Fax: 847-982-1922 E-mail: tracy@issa.com * Website: www.issafoundation.org |
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