Absences-feat

Combating Student Absenteeism Through Advanced Disinfection Strategies

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Combating Student Absenteeism Through Advanced Disinfection Strategies

In an era where educational outcomes are critically linked to student attendance, school districts are increasingly recognizing the powerful connection between robust disinfection protocols and reduced absenteeism. This makes implementing effective disinfection strategies not just a health priority, but an academic and financial imperative. The stakes are high: funding depends on attendance, and research consistently demonstrates that consistent classroom participation directly correlates with academic success.

The Limitations of Traditional Cleaning Methods

Traditional school disinfection approaches often fall short of comprehensive protection:

  • Periodic surface cleaning by janitorial staff provides only intermittent protection
  • HVAC filtration systems are passive, requiring pathogens to already be circulating before removal
  • Manual cleaning methods cannot consistently address rapidly spreading microorganisms

Proactive Disinfection: A Game-Changing Approach

Advanced disinfection technologies represent a paradigm shift in school health management. Proactive solutions that introduce airborne oxidizers offer multiple critical advantages:

  • Continuous surface disinfection, even when spaces are unoccupied
  • Immediate pathogen neutralization in both air and on surfaces
  • Reduced transmission risk for students, teachers, and staff
  • Prevention of microorganism buildup between cleaning cycles

Real-World Impact: A Case Study

A school system in Georgia provides compelling evidence of these advanced strategies’ effectiveness. After implementing a comprehensive airborne disinfection system in early 2023, they documented remarkable improvements:

The Broader Implications

These results reveal a critical insight: investment in sophisticated disinfection technologies is not just about preventing illness—it’s about creating an environment that maximizes educational opportunities and student potential.

By embracing innovative approaches to school hygiene, districts can simultaneously address health challenges, improve attendance, and enhance overall educational outcomes.

https://www.fox21news.com/business/press-releases/ein-presswire/649852483/meriwether-county-school-system-installs-caspr-technology-to-disinfect-air-and-surfaces-in-district-schools/

https://www.utep.edu/education/cerps/_files/docs/briefs/cerps_policybrief5_attendance.pdf

Dirty Escalator Rails

Beyond Air Disinfection: A Comprehensive Approach to Pathogen Control

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Since the pandemic, facilities worldwide have prioritized indoor air quality through various disinfection strategies. However, an important question remains: Is air disinfection alone sufficient to protect against the full spectrum of infectious pathogens?

The Challenge of Surface Pathogens

While airborne pathogens capture much attention, several dangerous microorganisms primarily spread through surface contact. Common surface pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus (including antibiotic-resistant MRSA), Norovirus, and E. coli can persist on surfaces for extended periods—from weeks to months. These pathogens create a transmission network as people move through spaces:

  • Pathogens settle on high-touch surfaces
  • People contact these surfaces during daily activities
  • Cross-contamination occurs as individuals touch multiple surfaces
  • Infection risk increases through unconscious face-touching

Limitations of Current Approaches

Traditional air quality solutions such as HEPA filtration, improved ventilation, and air recirculation reduce airborne pathogen concentrations. However, these methods have two key limitations:

  1. They don’t address existing surface contamination
  2. Airborne particles eventually settle on surfaces, creating new contamination

While manual intervention through hand hygiene and surface disinfection can help, human inconsistency makes these measures less reliable as standalone solutions.

A Dual-Action Solution

An effective pathogen control strategy must address both air and surface contamination. Automated systems that provide continuous air and surface disinfection offer several advantages:

  1. 24/7 operation without relying on human intervention
  2. Simultaneous treatment of both air and surfaces
  3. Consistent, measurable results
  4. Reduced reliance on manual cleaning protocols

Implementing a Comprehensive Strategy

The most effective approach combines multiple protective measures:

  • Automated air and surface disinfection systems
  • Regular cleaning and disinfection protocols
  • Proper hand hygiene practices
  • Adequate ventilation
  • Regular monitoring and maintenance

By addressing both airborne and surface transmission routes, facilities can create a more robust defense against pathogen spread.

For additional information on surface contamination and disease prevention, the CDC provides extensive resources and guidelines for implementing effective control measures. https://youtu.be/KmyxsnuREGs

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ASHRAE 241 – The new standard on Indoor Air Quality focused on Infectious Aerosols

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If you are unfamiliar with ASHRAE Standard 241-2023: Control of Infectious Aerosols (241), keep reading for a basic introduction. Developed by ASHRAE at the request of the White House, this standard was created in just six months. Its goal? To offer an alternative solution to widespread shutdowns in the event of another pandemic.

Prior to 241, standards like 62.1, 62.2, and 170, focused on Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and particulate levels when it comes to IAQ . These standards are typically focused on outside air and air exchanges to improve IAQ through dilution and filtration. However, standard 241 introduced pathogens as a critical component of IAQ.

VOCs and particulate levels can be measured by sensors, with either automated or human responses triggered to address the underlying cause of an imbalance. Furthermore, most VOCs are putrid, and people instinctively move away from them. But pathogens are silent, and potentially deadly. People in the incubation period of a virus can be contagious and infect people in the spaces they occupy long before showing symptoms.

While 241 is still very new, the impact on future facility development is unquestionable. Between the awakening of the pandemic and the release of 241, both people within the industry and in the general public are more aware and concerned about pathogens than ever. 241 is a big step in the right direction and brings infectious aerosols to the forefront of all conversations within ASHRAE about IAQ.

This blog is the first of a series highlighting the details of 241, so make sure to check out the rest of the series. You can also visit – https://www.ashrae.org/technical-resources/bookstore/ashrae-standard-241-control-of-infectious-aerosols – to learn more and purchase the full standard.

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