High-tech hygiene gadget proving popular

Date AddedOctober 25, 2009 05:50:42 AM

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Crest Commercial Cleaning, New Zealand's largest cleaning franchise, is using the AccuPoint Sanitation Monitoring System to gauge the level of cleanliness of surfaces in workplaces around the country. "Some of the workplaces we have tested have been alarmingly dirty with desks, keyboards, computer mice and phones being the most contaminated," Crest spokesperson Grant McLauchlan said. University of Arizona microbiologist Professor Gerber, a US expert on domestic and public hygiene, refers to offices as "bacteria cafeterias" after having studied the subject over the past 30 years. The office desk, he thinks, is the worst spot, with around 400 times more bacteria than the average toilet seat. Crest Commercial Cleaning, a New Zealand owned specialist commercial cleaning company has experienced a huge increase in requests for cleaning and hygiene services in the past month, and interest has been high in the 'Crest Hygiene' test which utilizes the AccuPoint System. The hand held AccuPoint System works by giving an instant reading of organic matter and micro-organisms on any surface. If a surface has a high quantity of micro-organisms it will allow bacteria and viruses to grow and multiply. The buildup of residual soil means the cleaning and sanitizing is less effective and may result in odours and staining. The system can instantly give a pass, marginal or fail result after a swab is taken from an area and inserted into the machine. "Up until now there hasn't been an easy way to identify whether a workplace is clean or not...now it can be done with this portable system, at the push of a button," Grant said. "We have gone into some offices and taken swabs." he said. "Staff have been flabbergasted at the results." Crest is offering a number of free 'Crest Hygiene' tests to businesses around the country during the month of October. Professional hygiene experts will come to the workplace and do a free test in 30 minutes. The results will be available immediately.