With influenza activity increasing in the United States, building owners and managers need to remain vigilant in their efforts to maintain, clean and disinfect their facilities for the health and well being of their occupants.

From mid-April through the first week of Sept., a total of 9,079 people have been hospitalized and 593 have died from the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) viruses, according to the CDC. Though still below the threshold for an epidemic, 136 people were hospitalized and 37 died in the last week of August.

However, the dangerous influenza A viruses, of which swine flu is one, are fragile viruses that can be easily destroyed through proper hygiene, including use of soap and water, alcohol-based hand sanitizers and proper surface cleaning and disinfection.

“Flu viruses most frequently enter the body when contaminated hands touch mucous membranes of the nose, eyes, and mouth. Frequent hand hygiene certainly makes this transfer less likely,” says Dr. Judy Daly, spokesperson for the American Society for Microbiology, director of the clinical microbiology laboratories, primary children’s medical center, Salt Lake City. So, too, does proper surface disinfection.

Health care facilities, dental offices, veterinary clinics, schools, day care centers and public buildings should all be using some form of disinfecting to reduce the potential for spread of the pandemic, the CDC says, and recommends the following procedures to do so:

Pre-clean — Conduct general surface cleaning to remove dirt and debris. This will remove many microorganisms and increase the effectiveness of the disinfectant. Many products are one-step cleaner/disinfectants. These products are intended for use on relatively clean surfaces. If a surface only requires cleaning then use of cleaner/disinfectant is not necessary.

General surface cleaners are often less costly than disinfectants and can be better for the environment. If a surface is visibly dirty it should be pre-cleaned before a disinfectant is used. When using other disinfectants always pre-clean, even if a surface looks clean.

Evaluate the Need to Disinfect — Determine if a lower level of clean is adequate. Does an item need to be disinfected or is surface cleaning sufficient? If the item only touches intact skin, then surface cleaning is appropriate.

Assess the Level of Disinfection — Know the target microbes you need to kill. Make a list of the specific targets. Items used in a semi-sterile area require different levels of disinfecting than hard surfaces in public areas or patient rooms.

Select an Ideal Disinfectant — Choose a disinfectant that is highly effective and is the least toxic to employees and the environment. Disinfectants that act by oxidizing, such as hydrogen peroxide or peracetic acid, create fewer by-products than quaternary compounds or chlorine bleach. This means fewer toxins reach the sewer. Hydrogen peroxide and peracetic acid are also generally more effective against all types of microbes and are not easily inactivated by organic matter.

Ensure that the disinfectant used is compatible with the surface being cleaned. Improper use of chemicals and scrubbing can damage surfaces. For example, bleach can be corrosive to metal surfaces and scrubbing can remove some coatings. Floor finishes are sensitive to the pH of various chemicals. A cleaner or disinfectant with a pH that is too high or too low can strip the finish off the floor. Chemical damage is not reversible and can be costly to repair. In most cases floors do not need to be disinfected.

For employee protection use personal protective equipment like goggles and gloves. To reduce waste, use washable towels or applicators. Hand hygiene is critical, too. See our article inside on Hand Washing Habits to make sure your people are informed and have the right tools to protect themselves and the people using your building.

Once again, we’re seeing the essential role and important work that building services professionals play in helping to maintain the health and safety of the general public. We hope they continue their good work.

Thanks and good luck.