by Brianna Crandall — October 21, 2013—ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, released on October 17 what it says is the first scientific-based standard setting the bar and a true measurement for what constitutes “clean” in schools. The new independent, third-party-developed ISSA Clean Standard for K-12 means that cleaning personnel will no longer need to “eyeball it,” but rather can confirm, based on the standard, that dangerous germs and bacteria have been removed to better protect the health of children and teachers worldwide, says ISSA.
Cleaning industry professionals can use the groundbreaking standard when working in or with K-12 schools to promote a cleaner and healthier indoor environment for students, faculty and staff alike, which the growing body of evidence shows will also increase productivity and reduce absenteeism, translating to better test scores and overall learning experiences. Additional versions of the standard for other facility types are planned for 2014.
The ISSA Clean Standard: K-12 establishes steps for objectively assessing the effectiveness of cleaning processes and ensuring that the desired level of cleanliness is achieved and maintained in an educational facility. Based on the philosophy of “Clean, Measure, Monitor,” and with an emphasis on high-performance cleaning, the Clean Standard: K-12 focuses on:
- The desired levels of cleanliness that can reasonably be achieved;
- Recommended monitoring and inspection procedures to measure the effectiveness of cleaning; and
- How to use the measurement and inspection results to assess and improve cleaning processes and products, ultimately resulting in a clean, healthy, and safe learning environment.
“ISSA is pleased to launch yet another tool that supports our overall goal of changing the way the world views cleaning,” said ISSA Executive Director John Garfinkel. “In the face of difficult budget cuts and a misunderstanding of the importance cleaning has in the success of student education, our members and the schools they work with can use science to help make the case for proper cleaning.”
The new standard was developed through a consensus-based process including experts representing all sectors of the cleaning industry, such as: the Healthy Schools Campaign, the National Association of State Boards of Education, the American Federation of Teachers, manufacturers and distributors of cleaning products, contract cleaning service providers focused in this market, industry consultants, and academia.
The standard is based on multiyear scientific research guided by the independent Cleaning Industry Research Institute’s (CIRI) Science Advisory Panel. The study involved thousands of measurements taken with ATP (adenosine triphosphate) measurement systems from high-touch surfaces recognized as posing health risks in schools (i.e.: student desks, cafeteria tables, and restroom sinks and stall doors). The ATP measurements were conducted in numerous schools across the United States to account for potential geographic or climatic variations.
ISSA will provide a variety of education and tools to help members use the standard in educational facilities. Free “how-to” guides are available to help industry professionals implement the recommended steps to measure, monitor, and adjust processes. To download the “ISSA Clean Standard: K-12” and accompanying guides, visit the ISSA Web site.
ISSA will host a free Webinar, “Introducing the Clean Standard: K-12—A New Tool to Help Sales,” on November 4, 2013, at 12:00 p.m. (Central Standard Time) to help members understand how they can use the standard with school decision-makers. Registration is online.
There also will be a session called “New Value—The ISSA K-12 “Clean Standard” on November 18 at 11 a.m. as part of the ISSA Convention Seminars program held during ISSA/INTERCLEAN North America 2013, which will take place November 18-21 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Licenses also are available for third parties interested in providing training on how to measure cleanliness based on the standard. To learn more about offering training, contact David Schweizer at 800/225-4772 (North America) or 847/982-0800.
