Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
They have no real guidelines
When it comes to cleaning mold or blood on crime scenes, there are certain standards and protocols to follow.
But when it comes to coronavirus disinfection, companies have largely made up their own rules for what amount of personal protective equipment to wear, what specific chemicals to use and how long to let these chemicals sit before allowing people back inside,
“The virus is so new and the disinfection industry is evolving in real time,” Cohen said. “It’s kind of like a wild, Wild West out there.”
The Florida Department of Health did not respond to numerous requests for comment about standards or guidelines for workers hired to disinfect spaces for the coronavirus. A spokeswoman for the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification, a national nonprofit organization that creates health and safety standards for the industry, said they are in the process of developing those standards now.
In the meantime, some companies, like United Restoration, don Tyvek suits taped at the ankles and wrist, respirator masks and goggles at each job, looking like modern-day ghost busters. Others wear little protective equipment aside from a mask.
Some companies, like Clementi’s, use a sprayer to douse spaces in chemicals approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to fight the cooff ronavirus.
Others, such as United Restoration, undergo a three-hour process that includes spraying the same chemicals, letting them sit, then wiping down each and every surface and touch point with micro-fiber wipes, which are tossed out after each and every room.
After cleaning the JAFCO Children’s Ability Center in Sunrise on Thursday morning, a nineman team burned through over 500 wipes, according to one technician.
Every company will tell you their way is the best way. Their prices also vary widely. For a 5,000-square-foot space, United’s services can run $2,500. Other companies might charge $500.
“Its an apples-to-oranges comparison,” Cohen said of the difference, adding that most companies have less experience dealClementi’s ing with hazardous materials, sprayers, chemicals and protective equipment. “We didn’t just start doing this yesterday.”