by Brianna Crandall — March 27, 2020 — The nonprofit Cleaning Industry Research Institute (CIRI) just announced that it has partnered with ISSA, the Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association; the Building Services Contractors Association International (BSCAI); the Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA); the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) and other industry organizations to present and promotoe science-based best practices for coronavirus cleaning in a full-day, livestream symposium on March 31.
The 2020 CIRI Science Symposium: Coronavirus will explore pandemic preparedness and the coronavirus from multiple angles, including strategies for training frontline cleaning workers, communicating with stakeholders during a pandemic, cleaning measurement and disinfection.
CIRI Executive Director John Downey stated:
By working together across our related industries, we’re able to get this critical information in the hands of the people on the front lines of controlling this virus. We’re thrilled to see the industry come together to promote science-based information with the common goal of protecting public health and safety.
As a part of the informal partnership, each organization will promote the one-day virtual event with its membership to deliver a consistent and science-based message around cleaning to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
As an added bonus, attendees will receive digital access after the event to each session, which they’ll be able to use for employee training and customer communications.
Presented in three parts, CIRI’s 2020 Symposium will cover the following topics:
- Pandemic — coronavirus and more;
- Delving deeply into disinfection; and
- Measuring clean.
Speakers include a variety of academics and experts from across the industry, including:
- Eugene Cole, Dr.PH., former professor of Environmental Health Sciences at Brigham Young University and consultant to the World Health Organization (WHO), Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and CIRI Scientific Advisory Council member
- Patricia Olinger JM, RBP, director of GBAC, the Global Biorisk Advisory Council; previous to joining ISSA-GBAC, Ms. Olinger was an assistant vice president in the Office of Research Administration and the executive director of the Environmental, Health and Safety Office (EHSO) at Emory University
- John Richter, MSME, a faculty member in the Department of Engineering at the University of Miami (Ohio) with years of R&D experience in the cleaning industry
- Gary Rosen, Ph.D., a Florida building contractor who specializes in mold and water damage restoration and the author of the 14-hour National Association of Environmentally Responsible Mold Contractors training for initial mold assessor and mold remediator for Florida licensing
- Jeremiah Gray, CEO and co-founder of EarthSafe, and pioneer of the disruptive electrostatic spray technologies; under his leadership and guidance, EarthSafe developed the EvaClean Infection Prevention System, which has become a leader in healthier disinfection
- Steve Hengsperger, founder, Tersano, Inc., and a long-time advocate of reducing the need for toxic chemicals in the home; Hengsperger founded Tersano in 2001 to develop cutting-edge household countertop systems that sanitize drinking water, food and household surfaces. Tersano’s cleaning and sanitizing system was recognized as one of the best inventions in 2006 by Time magazine.
The 2020 CIRI Science Symposium is accessible to livestream from a desktop, tablet or mobile device. The cost for registration is $179 for non-members; CIRI members will receive a 50 percent discount. To register, go to the CIRI website.
