Hypoallergenic Rooms MAR_2013

Hypoallergenic Rooms Program

First came smoke-free rooms, then rooms reserved for pets and their owners,

and now …

Hypoallergenic Rooms

-oases for travelers with Allergies and Asthma

What is this new concept?

Major hotel chains in the US – including Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott, Peninsula, Shangri-La and Fairmont, are now setting aside hyper-sanitised “Hypoallergenic” rooms

How Does This Work?

•  Hoteliers are employing air purifiers, natural antiseptics, and ozone mists attempting to reduce:

- Bacteria and dust mites - Airborne particles - Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) - Irritants that are bothersome to guests with

seasonal or environmental allergies. •  Some rooms are even equipped with hypoallergenic

towels, pillows, bedding and linens.

Is There A Standard?

•  How are these rooms assessed? •  Is there an established standard of sanitisation that

must be attained to make a room truly “hypoallergenic”?

•  At present there is no set standard for a room to be called “hypoallergenic”.

•  While allergens in these rooms will be significantly reduced – they may still not be “allergen-free”.

Conven&onal sani&sers

•  Most conventional sanitisers/disinfectants try to kill the micro-organisms by poisoning them - however not all are destroyed and those that survive can develop immunity to these forms of sanitisers and disinfectants.

•  Hence super bugs develop - such as Golden Staph - and most recently in Australia - "Clostridium Difficile".

Is there a solution that is safer, proven to kill these deadly diseases - and dust mites, bed bugs, mould, mildew and Legionnaires Disease?

CLO2 -‐ Chlorine Dioxide •  CLO2* is considered the safest of all natural biocides

•  It has been recognised for its disinfectant properties since the early 1900s.

•  It is a remarkable molecule with unique properties

•  It kills micro-organisms by disrupting the transport of nutrients across the cell wall ie starving them

*Cl02 is not Chlorine or bleach.

Has CLO2 been proven safe?

•  CLO2 is approved for use by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ).

•  CLO2 was used by US Government in federal decontamination responses to the anthrax bioterrorism attacks of October 2001

•  CLO2 is potent and fast acting

•  It is highly effective against many pathogenic organisms including bacterial spores, MRSA, STAPH, C Diff, Legionella, Tuberculosis, Salmonella, E. Coli, Cryptosporidium and more!

Benefits of CLO2

•  100% biodegradable •  Eradicates bio-film so that re-growth of harmful

bacteria is significantly reduced. •  Does not form toxic or carcinogenic by-products such as

THM’s* •  Leaves no residual toxicity •  Once treatment is concluded, it breaks down to a

harmless salt-water liquid

*Trihalomethanes - environmental pollutants, many are considered carcinogenic.

• Dentistry and Medical fields

• Veterinary field for the treatment of Bird Flu and other diseases in animals.

• Poultry industry – helps overcome Aspergillosis disease

• Protecting meat, seafood and fresh vegetables from bacteria growth during processing and shipment to market

• Destroys Legionnaire's disease in AC systems

• Town water supplies and swimming pool sanitation

What industries use CLO2?

Hypoallergenic Room Program (Hyper-‐sani&sa&on)

Hypoallergenic Room Program

The HRP consists of 5 phases:

Phase 1: Cleaning with Bio+Green Crystals & CLO2 Surface Spray Phase 2: CLO2 Surface Spray & Fogger (Mist) Phase 3: CLO2 Vapour Shock Treatment – Air Strike 1 (Bomb) Phase 4: CLO2 Slow Release Module (Vapour) Phase 5: Quarterly Service Plan / Quality Control

Phase 1 – Room Cleaning

Glass & Window

Bathroom Surfaces

Natural Degreaser

All Purpose

Stainless Steel Polish

100% Biodegradable No rinse / food grade sanitiser

+

US EPA Reg. 87508-3 FSANZ approved

Phase 1 – Room Cleaning

•  Guests can rest assured, confident their rooms with the safest cleaning products in Australia;

•  Blue Butterfly (Sensitive Choice) approved products. •  Safe for 7 million Australians with Asthma and Allergies •  Nutraceutical (food) grade cleaning products •  VOC free – no airborne triggers •  Zero waste – all packaging recyclable

1

1 National Asthma Council of Australia and the Asthma Foundation of New Zealand

Phase 2 – CLO2 Spray / Fogging

+


Phase 2 – CLO2 Spray / Fogging •  Hand held pump sprayer – eco friendly •  #80 nozzle spray head produces a fine, no-‐rinse mist •  1g / 1 litre water = 100ppm of Chlorine Dioxide •  Detoxifies a 250-‐350sq-‐W room •  For surface spraying cracks, crevices, beds, bedding, curtains, carpet

and fabrics •  Can be misted into vents to kill bacteria in AC/hea&ng units •  VOC-‐free solu&on -‐ neutralizes exis&ng vola&le organic compounds •  Special non-‐corrosive formula&on •  Kills dust mites •  Inhibits mould growth •  Zero-‐waste solu&on •  Economical to use

Phase 3 -‐ Vapour Shock Treatment


Phase 3 -‐ Vapour Shock Treatment •  Operator seals off room and releases the CLO2 ‘bomb’ - AIR STRIKE 1

to ‘shock’ the entire room. •  Shock treatment is a 2 – 3 hour process and room is monitored while

the other rooms are being serviced. •  For bedbug infestation, a 1 day vapour shock treatment is

recommended* •  Vapour treatment is attracted to the humidity in tight cracks and

crevices •  Attacks enveloped, non-enveloped, gram negative and bacterial

endospores at the source. •  Attacks mould and mildew spores. •  3 different sizes available

2

NBGS Patented Air Strike Shock Envelope with special non corrosive formulas. * Can range up to 12 cycles depending on seriousness of infestation

2

Phase 4 – Slow Release Module


Phase 4 – Slow Release Module •  SRM’s are packaged in clear plastic clamshells •  Can be set out in any open area of the room •  Slowly emits a SAFE, CLO2 vapour •  CLO2 levels are activated by moisture •  30 day life-cycle - dependent on ambient humidity of room •  A deep-penetrating vapour permeates all porous materials and fabrics,

below and behind furniture and into ventilation systems. •  Removes all existing odours and prevents new odours from forming. •  Does not leave behind any type of residue •  Replaced monthly via housekeeping schedule •  Maintains healthy, clean air in the room •  Eco-friendly - requires no power •  Simple and easy to use

Phase 5 -‐ Quarterly Service Plan

•  Accommodation placed on a quarterly service plan to: •  Administer Phase 2: Fogging & Phase 3: Quarterly

Vapour Shock Treatments •  Check Phase 4: Slow Release Modules •  Carry out other sanitisation procedures as required* •  Manage quality control checks

Phase 5 -‐ Quarterly Service Plan

*Vacuum beds with hypoallergenic equipment to remove dust mites etc

•  EcoFuture will cer&fy the ‘hypoallergenic’ room is in compliance with, and meets or exceeds all interna&onal standards

•  EcoFuture will issue a room placard to the organisa&on.

Issue Compliance Placard

More informa&on P: +61 3 5998 3641

E: [email protected]

The Changing Hotel Industry •  There has been a recent conspicuous shift in attitude within

the hotel industry, from a distinct focus on cost savings to a sharp focus on adding value.

•  Whilst cost savings can be achieved through improving operational efficiencies, adding value can be realised from creating a better guest experience.

•  It is important to note that whilst cost savings can be significant, a value adding mechanism can achieve far greater returns.

•  The returns realised on investments that increase operational effectiveness usually outweigh the savings made on investments that increase functional efficiency.

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1 Woods Bagot Research & Analysis

Star Rating System

•  Remember when everyone knew that the best hotels were rated five-star?

•  These stars often missed rating the most important of qualities – the ‘Guest Experience’.

•  Stars used to define the luxurious, now they should express the experiential.

Luxury In The Future •  Evolves continuously •  Personifies youth, irrespective of age. •  Is highly demanding •  Must represent values and principles. •  Is now driven by inconspicuous consumption •  Reflects individual personality and self image. •  Will be sought increasingly by retiring baby boomers •  Respects heritage •  Embodies unique tailored experiences •  Means quality time and attention to well being. •  Extends beyond ‘Star’ ratings

Bed-‐Bug Study •  Abstract objective. This study evaluated the efficacy of gaseous chlorine dioxide (ClO2) for

extermination of bedbugs (Cimex lectularius and Cimex hemipterus). •  Background. Bedbugs have received attention because of recent outbreaks. Bedbug eradication

is difficult and often requires a time consuming multifaceted approach. •  Setting. Laboratory and hospital room. •  Methods. Bedbugs were exposed to concentrations of ClO2 of 362, 724, and 1,086 parts per

million (ppm) in an exposure chamber. Bedbug mortality was then evaluated. The ability of ClO2 to penetrate various spaces in a hospital room was evaluated using Bacillus atropheus as a surrogate organism.

•  Results. Concentrations of 1,086 and 724 ppm of Cl02 yielded 100% bedbug mortality assessed immediately after exposure. Live young were not observed for any eggs exposed to ClO2 gas. ClO2 at a concentration of 362 ppm for 1,029 parts per million hours (ppm-hours) achieved 100% mortality 6 hours after exposure. A ClO2 concentration of 362 ppm for 519 ppm-hours had 100% mortality 18 hours after exposure. Up to a 6-log reduction in B. atropheus spores was achieved using similar concentrations of ClO2 in a hospital room, indicating that the concentrations needed to kill bedbugs can be achieved throughout a hospital room.

•  Conclusions. ClO2 is effective at killing bedbugs in the laboratory, and similar concentrations of ClO2 gas can be achieved in a hospital room. ClO2 can be removed from the room without residuals.

© 2012 by The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.

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Hypoallergenic Rooms MAR_2013