Sep-Oct ’112

Maintaining washroom hygiene may appear to be a mundane task but it is crucial to the healthcare of the society. For the hospitality industry too, the importance of washroom hygiene simply cannot be overstated. In fact, for many discerning guests, a clean washroom may help to create not only the first but also a lasting impression of the property. But whether be they washrooms in hospitality properties, hospitals or schools, or be they public restrooms in busy streets or cosy private bathrooms in homes, washroom cleaning is an arduous exercise, requiring continual observation and care.

Unfortunately, in India restroom hygiene happens to be a neglected issue. The concept of impeccable restroom hygiene is realised into reality in only a select few facilities and properties of India, and a predominant unhygienic culture casually and nonchalantly permeates through the hospitality and healthcare industry of India, thereby leading to the facilitation of avoidable invasion of various diseases through exposure of a multitude of bacteria and germs.

In this regard, the appalling condition of many public restrooms in India, which often reflect nothing but filth, stench and state apathy, must serve as reminders to our collective conscience. However, washroom hygiene is not only the responsibility of the Facility Managers on a micro scale, and the hospitality and healthcare industry, and the state in macro scale.

The onus of clean bathrooms in home and outside homes, lie with each of us. If we don’t play a conscientious role in the upkeep of washroom hygiene, how many times may the soap and towel dispensers be refilled on a regular basis, and how many times may the nooks and crannies of the toilet bowl be scrupulously cleaned, the guests are likely to find an untidy restroom. In the Cover Story of this issue, we have attempted to cover the operational issues of washroom hygiene exhaustively, along with focus on the emerging trend of green cleaning. I hope the readers would find the editorial exercise interesting.

The issue of waste management also deserves a serious concern in our society. In fact, waste should not be regarded as waste but as potential wealth. If the industry and citizens continue to dump our wastes with our usual callousness with very little effort on recycling them, and are encouraged to do so by an insensitive state machinery, we would collectively not only be contributing to the spread of chronic and virulent diseases, but would also continue to miss the bus that leads us to relative prosperity. Going by the seriousness of the topic, we have strived to explore the issue of waste management in this issue with some detail.

Besides these, our interesting feature on countering the ant menace, the informative piece on potential health hazards emanating from pigeon droppings, and our regular sections are geared to keep you engrossed between the pages. I wish you informative reading, along with a very happy 2012. See you next year along with your critical faculties, which in turn would egg us to produce better.

E d i t o r i a l

Publisher cum EditorRajneesh Sharma

Associate EditorSwarnendu Biswas

Resident EditorSharmila Chand (Delhi)

Ashok Malkani (Mumbai)

Sub-EditorTapapriya Lahiri

Layout & DesignHari Kumar. V

Narender Kumar

PhotographerMahendra Singh Mehta

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Clean & Hygiene Review is a bi-monthly magazine, printed, owned and published by Rajneesh Sharma from 313, Himgiri Apartments, J-Block, Vikaspuri, New Delhi. Printed at Swan Press, B-71, Naraina Industrial Area, Phase-II, New Delhi-110 028.

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3Sep-Oct ’11

SECTIONS 4 News Scan

10 Report

36 Pest Management

40 Hygiene

42 Product Preview

44 Interview

COVER STORY 12

LAUNDRY

28

18

FEATURE

24

FOCUS

CLEANING

32

Contents

Sep-Oct ’114

NEWS SCAN

MCD to Usher in Mechanical Cleaning In the coming days, a

great many mechanical sweepers will clean the capital’s roads with élan. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has procured about 28 mechanical sweepers and by the next February, their n u m b e r s w i l l b e increased up to 50.

Fo l l o w i n g t h e induct ion of the mechanical sweepers the Delhi roads with 60 meter width or above will be cleaned by the German mechanical sweepers. However, the smaller roads and alleys will be cleaned by the regular ground staff . According to Subhash Arya, the Leader of the House, though the machines will be bought from Germany, their parts will be assembled in Delhi.

To execute the job, 12 zones of MCD have been equally demarcated into two parts, based on the road width. In both these zones roads with greater width than 100 ft will be covered by the mechanical sweepers. Group 1 includes South Zone, Najafgarh, Karol Bagh, West Zone, Rohini and Narela Zone; covering a length of 132.81 km. Five mechanical sweepers will be deployed for cleaning of roads wider than 100 ft in these six zones. Group 2 includes Central zone, City, Sadar Paharganj, Shahdara (South), Shahdara (North) and Civil Lines, which will get four mechanical sweepers for its 113.40 km of roads which have width greater than 100ft.

Capital to Do Away With Plastic BagsProduction and use of

plastic bags will banish from the markets of Delhi within two months f rom now. As specified in the draft notification, the selling, storage and usage of plastic carry bags for supply of goods would not be allowed. Th is notifi cation will apply to every person in Delhi, which includes shopkeepers, vendor s , who le sa l e r s , retailers and hawkers.

The notification reads “No person shall (be allowed) to manufacture, store, import, sell or transport any kind of plastic carry bags — polypropelene, non-woven fabric bags — in the National Capital Territory of Delhi except for export purposes.” However, suggestions and objections can be fl oated till November 20, following which a fi nal notifi cation will see the light of the day.

Th e imposed ban will be issued under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Any kind of violation will bring an imprisonment up to fi ve years and a fi ne up to Rs. 1 lakh, or both. Th e offi cials have also added that plastic covers used for packing magazines, invitation cards and greeting cards would also be forbidden. However, containers used for packing food materials and milk will not be covered under the purview of this ban. Bags which constitute an integral part of packaging in which goods are sealed prior to use will also not be covered under this ban.

Sep-Oct ’116

NEWS SCAN

E c o - s e n s i t i v e T a g fo r Ka lesa r Wi ld l i f e Sanctuary

Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary in Haryana will soon emerge as an eco-sensitive zone. The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has issued a draft notification for the same. The Ministry of Environment and Forests has considered to make this sanctuary an eco-sensitive zone for its treasure-trove of plant and animal species, which possess immense medicinal, economical and historical value.

Here, up to 5 km of area from Kalesar will come under the ambit of eco-sensitive zone. The 5,406-hectre sanctuary on the Shivalik foothills is located at the junction of four states — Haryana, Uttrakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. The zonal plan will be drafted by the Haryana government with the active participation of various departments which include forests, environment, urban development, tourism, municipal, irrigation, PWD, revenue as well as the Pollution Control Board. The zonal plan will be prepared within a year.

A Study Exposes CFLs in Bad Light

Compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) sold in the Indian market, which are projected as environment friendly lamps, seem to be not that beneficial to environment and health, after all. In a recent study by an NGO named Toxics Link, CFLs sold in the Indian market are saddled with high degree of mercury content, on an average. The NGO revealed that the average mercury content in CFLs sold in the Indian market is 21 mg per lamp, which is markedly and harmfully high as compared to global mercury content for such lamps, which varies from three to four mg per lamp only, at the most.

High mercury content exposes human beings’ vital organs like liver to risk and can induce neurological problems among pregnant women and children. However, this risk will only arise if the damaged lamp comes in direct contact with heavy metals.

According to Ravi Aggarwal, the Director of Toxics Link, there are no set standards on mercury content in CFLs in India, which presents the manufacturers with a scenario akin to free for all. According to the study, mercury content in the CFLs of four leading brands fluctuates between 2.27 mg and 62.56 mg.

Sep-Oct ’118

QUALITYASSUREDCOMPANY

Toxic Plastics Taking Toll on the Environment

Toxic plastics retrieved from electronic wastes are causing dangerous environment and health hazards. Toxic plastics are recycled into toys and several other household items, which are potentially harmful to the health of not only the workers engaged in such recycling works but also for the end users.

Delhi based NGO Toxics Link has unearthed the presence of brominated flame retardants (BFR) in recycled plastics across the capital. Here it deserves a mention that BFRs are used in electronic products to make them resistant to fire, but their chemical constituents are extremely dangerous to human beings.

According to Priti Mahesh, the Project Manager of Toxics Link, with about 7000 plastic processing units the capital probably happens to be the largest recycler of e-waste in the country. Thousands of people are employed in these units and they tend to be continually exposed to BFRs.

Of the 44 samples that were collected from recycling and moulding units for the study carried out by Toxics Link, 18 were found to have BFR and heavy metals like lead and cadmium. The concentration of BFR varied from 18.9ppm to 126.3ppm. She also informed that the problem of cross-contamination has assumed highly serious proportions as e-waste recycled plastics are being mixed with virgin plastics and are used to manufacture new products like toys, dolls and electronic accessories, thereby enhancing the potential of BFR exposure.

Here, the study recommends imposing restrictions on the applications of halogen-based flame retardants in electronic and electrical equipments. Besides, the study also suggests granting incentives to the companies using BFR-free products.

Endeavour of MMRDA to Check Noise Pollution

Soon the city of Mumbai is likely to have noise barriers on its new flyovers. It is a plan of action decided upon by Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). The civic body has decided to construct noise barriers on all new flyovers throughout the maximum city for the purpose of curbing noise pollution, a move which has invited questions from various experts.

In the recent past, the proposal to install sound barriers was cleared by the authority. The first of such test project was made into a reality by MMRDA in Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), where the 1100-metre-long sound barriers have significantly contributed to the reduction in noise levels. The decibel levels were reduced from 75dB to 60dB, thereby bringing succor to the residents. “Hence the authority proposes to construct similar barriers on all newly constructed flyovers as well as the upcoming projects,” said the proposal.

Sumaira Abdul Ali, an expert in the field of noise pollution, has opined that “Each and every flyover may not need a sound barrier.” The activist advised that the authority should initially go for noise mapping of all the flyovers followed by ascertaining the portion which was creating major noise nuisance.

Sep-Oct ’1110

REPORT

Off Site Real Time monitoring system (OSRT) has debuted in India, which has the potential to change the face of sanitation. The offbeat high-end technology is excogitated and developed

by Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC). It is an anywhere, anytime accountability mechanism, which offers real-time information on solid waste management, urban planning, public works and street lighting to municipal managers and also to the common citizens.

This system will also ensure lucidity in the functioning and accountability among the civic officials. The software is based on GPRS, GPS and GIS technology, and mobile phones. It will reduce the physical inspection process. Rather civic officials can view from the recorded image seating inside their headquarters.

Technology Behind OSRTOSRT has a unique accountability mechanism because of its

omnipresent, easy-to-use mobile phone, which has made it possible

to blend its accountability tools and processes. The unification has been made possible by the innovative use of the largely ignored mobile phone eye (camera), leading to the generation of real-time off-site images of municipal activities, which effects the citizens.

N o w, G H M C Managers can be more responsive and responsible because complete a n d r e l i a b l e i n fo rmat ion on the i r ac t iv i t i es and outputs are avai lable in the public domain at a single point. The application allows users to record events with date, time and coordinates using the Global Positioning System (GPS). Precise temporal and spatial information and generation of reliable images of municipal activities can enhance accountability. Civic officials at GHMC were given 331 mobile phones to take snaps and feed the data to the central server in order to keep the OSRT updated.

The solution is loaded to the cell phones of civic officials. Uploading an image by them sparks off real time reports required for supervision and monitoring. OSRT is in public domain and citizens have the right of access to all its features, like the GHMC officials. Citizens can send their complaints on the civic services through SMS. The system carries enough credibility to keep tracks of the workers and their attendance. Till date, GHMC has recovered Rs.38 lakh from contractors for various violations in the service level agreements such as irregular attendance, unattended bins and improper sweeping of roads.

This service could be of great help to the citizens because they can file a complaint simply by texting to the civil servants and the concerned officer is obliged to attend to the complaint. The technology has bagged the m-Billionth Award for South Asia 2011 under the m-Governance category.

OSRT Shines on SanitationBy Tapapriya Lahiri

After the successful installation by GHMC, New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) is also employing this cutting-edge technology to make capital clean and hygienic. NDMC will also operate in the same method by fixing mobile phones with a high resolution camera, GPS, with a direct connection to the NDMC’s servers.

NDMC to Explore OSRTNDMC to Explore OSRT

Sep-Oct ’1112

COVER STORY

Restrooms

12

October 15 i s celebrated as t h e G l o b a l Handwashing D a y, w h i c h portrays the need

for personal hygiene. The fact that we need to observe a Handwashing Day refl ects that our lifestyles have become such that hand washing as a habit has taken a back seat and needs to be re-emphasised as the way to restore cleanliness in our lifestyles

and reduce the impact of illnesses in our lives.

I n c i d e n t a l l y , G l o b a l Handwashing Day was introduced three years ago, on October 15, 2008, with a mission to reduce mortality rates related to diarrhea by introducing simple behavioural changes, such as hand washing with soap. The day is endorsed by a number of governments, civil society organisations, international inst i tut ions , NGOs, pr ivate

13Sep-Oct ’11

COVER STORY

Washrooms or restrooms as they are often being called, are the basic amenities of modern life. Unfortunately, maintenance of cleanliness and hygiene in washrooms seems to reflect, by and large, a dismal standard in India. Though in star hotels, in ‘A’ grade restaurants, in the top-of-the-line hospitals and prominent cinema houses you can witness good quality washroom hygiene, but these are exceptions to the rule. In India, unclean and unhygienic restrooms are a predominant feature. Ashok Malkani finds out how the restrooms can be maintained hygienically. With eco-friendliness being the watchword of the present generation, a few tips are also provided on green cleaning.

companies and individuals around the globe.

Hand washing is important because we come in contact with a multitude of germs and bacteria in our day-to-day living. Touching the eyes, ears, nose or any other part of the body with unclean hands makes us vulnerable to diseases. That is why it is important to wash hands regularly. And this should be normally done in washrooms; not only at home but also in public washrooms – be it in cinemas, shopping malls, restaurants, etc. While soap and towel dispensers should provide washroom users with an easy to use system to maintain correct hand hygiene, it is important that the dispensers themselves not only be but also appear to be hygienic and make a good, clean impression on their users.

Washroom Challenges It is also important that washroom

attendants make sure that soap and paper dispensers are never empty and are functioning properly. A washroom can appear clean and inviting for a visitor to use, but if the soap or towel dispensers do not work or are not being refi lled on a regular basis, the personal hygiene of the users can be compromised. To facilitate that user hygiene is immaculately maintained in the washrooms, it is necessary that soap and towel dispensing systems are not only sturdy, but are also being regularly refi lled. However, providing the basic necessities for washing hands is not the only function of the washroom attendants. Keeping the washrooms spic and span is just as important. A spotless washroom helps prevent the spread of many

Restrooms

Sep-Oct ’11

Sep-Oct ’1114

COVER STORY

infectious and virulent diseases. Washroom cleanliness is possibly

the most important factor by which guests judge the overall cleanliness and quality of a property or a facility. This means that if visitors have a bad washroom experience in a restaurant or a hotel, the chance of them returning to that facility stands slim.

A great majority of Facility Managers be l i e ves that the restrooms are the number one high traffic area within the facility that poses the most cleaning challenges. Maintaining the restrooms can often be an uphill and time consuming task for washroom attendants and workers and a source of tension for Cleaning Executives and Facility Managers. According to the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International, more than 25 percent of all cleaning related complaints pertain to restroom care. In hospitality properties, besides the lobby area, restrooms generally attract more traffic than other areas, which demands their ongoing cleaning, thereby posing challenge for facility executives.

Operational Guidelines It is advisable to begin cleaning

the bathroom by dusting the walls, fans and vents. For tough dirt, a cleaning solution or diluted commercial cleanser must be used. Wipe them with a damp cloth. Most housekeepers aver that cleaning of bathroom tiles, floor and fixtures such as the sink, tub, shower and cabinets requires more effort and time. They advise that you should start de-cluttering the washroom by emptying out the linen and medicine cabinets of all the unnecessary things, discarding outdated products

and making a list of items that need to be replaced.

It is also advisable to employ a commercial or natural cleaning product and a sponge or scrubber to scrub the sink, toilet and tub. Employ a damp cloth and dishwashing liquid or cleaner, to clean the sink and the vanity top. Rinse completely and then go over the area again. Scrub the drain with a toothbrush and it is convenient to scrape buildup from the joints between the sink and the counter with the edge of an old plastic card. Scrub both inside and the outside of the toilet. You can also drop two antacid tablets into the toilet bowl, and let them dissolve for 20 minutes before brushing the stains away with a toilet brush.

Of course, while doing such operations, you need to wear disposable gloves, in order to protect yourself from germs and chemicals. Employ oxygen bleach, diluted hydrogen peroxide or a commercial grout cleaner to clean the grout in bathroom tiles and floors. A glass cleaning spray will help to remove spots and stains in the mirrors of the restroom. Overall, washroom hygiene is a comprehensive and challenging process. After talking with several housekeeping executives this writer has come up with some pragmatic guidelines for maintaining a hygienic washroom in a facility, which are discussed below.

It is always advisable to give your guests a hamper for their used towels and clothing, and the sleekness and cleanliness of your shower curtain is not likely to be greatly compromised. Secondly, before the arrival of the guests, giving your bathroom a thorough overall cleaning would help. It is better to undertake deep cleaning of bathrooms for a cursory cleaning will not be sufficient enough to erase the bacteria and other

bathroom germs accumulating in the nooks and cracks of your counters, toilets, and sinks. Combining deep cleaning operations along with the use of antibacterial cleaners can help to minimise germs in the bathroom. Do not neglect the wastebasket in your washroom cleaning operations. Spray both the inside and the outside of the wastebasket with all-purpose cleaner, and wipe it with a cloth.

While moping the bathroom floor, ideally use a sponge and cleaner diluted in water. Also use floor mats in front of your sink or shower. This will load your cleaning job with much less challenge than otherwise, after the departure of the guests. It is common knowledge that the influence of feet on the spillage from the shower and sink can make for some dirty floors.

Shower rods and rings also don’t deserve neglect in your cleaning operations. When the dust builds up, the rings are impeded from moving smoothly. While wiping down the shower rods and rings, use a cloth rinsed with water and dishwashing liquid. While wiping the faucet and fixtures, it is better to use a cloth spritzed with cleaner.

Green Housekeeping However, in these times of fragile

environments, simply cleaning is not sufficient to stay ahead of the competition. These days, the concept of green cleaning is gaining momentum. According to Stephen Ashkin, long considered as the ‘father of green cleaning,’ “The goal is to minimise the use of disinfectants and other chemicals that although effective in what they do, can prove harmful to the user, building occupants, and the environment.” Over the years, Ashkin has helped hospitals and medical facilities develop a green cleaning program.

Green c leaning is nothing but an environmentally friendly way of conduct ing c leaning operations. Thankfully, several members of the hospitality industry, healthcare, etc are now environment conscious and green cleaning has become the watchword not only with housekeepers in private

Sep-Oct ’1116

COVER STORY

establishments but also with several facility providers and managers beyond the hospitality industry.

Many housekeepers are striving to go green to help the environment. Conventional cleaning products contain myriad chemicals and toxins that can be harmful for the environment, and therefore they should not be simply washed down the drain and into the water supply. Green cleaning can address this issue effectively. Finding ways to green clean is a simple solution towards solving the environment problem. We can practice green cleaning by simply using basic environmentally friendly cleaning supplies instead of aggressive chemicals. Using green cleaning supplies in the bathrooms can keep the bathtub, toilet and shower sparkling, without any adverse environmental fallouts.

And no green c leaning of washrooms is not difficult, and even amateur housekeepers can practice it with inexpensive housekeeping supplies. Green housekeeping supply can be addressed through simple easy to procure items like white vinegar, liquid soap, baking soda, borax, washing soda, club soda, essential oils, spray bottles, and rags.

Many green housecleaning recipes not only smell great and clean well; they are also anti-bacterial, which prevents the washroom users from getting susceptible to illhealth. Advised a housekeeping expert, “For a basic, all-purpose spray for daily cleanings of counter tops, tables, windows and sinks, fill a spray bottle with two tablespoons of borax, a quarter teaspoon of liquid soap and water. Then shake the bottle well and use.”

Facility management consultants say that to thwart shower scum, you need to mix two tablespoons of baking soda with two tablespoons of liquid soap and half a cup of hot water. Spread the paste on shower walls and bathtub stains and allow it to sit for fifteen minutes before using the squeegee to clean it off. Then rinse the shower with cold water. It is a perfect example of green cleaning.

You can use an environmentally friendly glass cleaner to clean the

inside and outside of the toilet. Bacteria will be decimated by the vinegar in the mixture, and the cleaner will counter the stains. Spray the cleaner around the inside of the toilet bowl and allow it to sit for a few minutes before scrubbing the toilet and flushing it. Green cleaning also has the potential to effectively eliminate mold growth and mildew problem in the bathrooms.

However, the concept of green cleaning is not just confined to environmentally friendly cleaning chemicals. Though green chemicals are of course an integral part of green cleaning, green cleaning has a much broader purview. It includes all kinds of cleaning tools and equipments; ranging from vacuum cleaners and floor care machines to micro fiber cleaning clothes in its ambit.

Get Chemically Cautious Above all, green cleaning is an

attitude, which can be addressed not only through appropriate products but in some cases, also through ushering in some attitudinal shift. However, one of the most overlooked areas in restroom management is the effect of harmful chemicals. Housekeepers need to be more chemically careful in their restroom cleanliness practices. We can see that housekeepers can infuse more

environmental friendliness in their washroom hygiene practices by adhering to some simple guidelines. Firstly, all stakeholders in a facility or an organisation should be involved while selecting the chemical cleaning products.

And of course, while selecting the chemical cleaning products for washroom hygiene, their environmental relevance, utility and safety considerations should gain precedence over their cosmetic attributes, such as fragrance, etc. Harsh chemicals, lower volatile organic compounds should be avoided and sustainable alternatives pertaining to restroom cleaning should be given preference.

However, most of the cleaning formulations used in washrooms involve several chemical ingredients, which make their environmental, health, and safety (EHS) assessment a challenging exercise. Thus a review of several scientific and medical databases should be undertaken before arriving at the decision of selection or rejection of a given cleaning formulation.

Corrosive acids and alkalis should also be avoided in washroom cleaning. Aggressive acids can damage toilets, urinals, sinks, metal, mirrors, floor tiles, grouting, and other restroom surfaces, and they should be avoided if you want your restroom to make an enduring impression on the guests. Here it deserves a mention that acid toilet bowl cleaners generally have an acid content varying between 9 to 23 percent. This level may be effective for removing tougher stains from toilets, but when used repeatedly and for a long-term, it can damage the toilet fixtures. This should be kept in mind while practicing chemically careful cleaning of washrooms.

Moreover, it is prudent to avoid Hydrofluoric acid and HF salts.

17Sep-Oct ’11

COVER STORY

Hydrofluoric acid (HF) solutions and mixtures are used many a time to formulate specialty mineral stain removers. Though these chemicals can remove tough mineral stains, but their continued exposure has the possibility of severely damaging porcelain, porcelain enamel, glass, and glazed ceramic tiles. Care should be taken to control the contact time of products formulated with these ingredients.

Quaternary disinfectants can come across as wonderful choices

for cleaning and disinfecting the restrooms. Many of these products are effective against a huge array of disease-causing microorganisms. Facility Managers could also opt for more touch less products in their restrooms. Sensor activated devices that control water faucets and lights are examples of touch less washroom hygiene products. With these devices, hand contact and thus the possibility of germ transmission gets reduced, and their maintenance is also comparatively easier than manual washroom hygiene products.

C l e a n i n g t h e A u g e a n Stables

Succinctly, the elimination of the hazardous cleaning products should be the priority, but even if Facility Managers prefer to work with hazardous chemicals, she/he and her/his staff should adhere to all the possible safety requirements and recommendations.

Today, Facility Managers have

become more environmentally aware than their yesteryear counterparts, and are opting for ways to compare the safety of various cleaning products for the washrooms. They are comparing the relative hazards or dangers of ingredients in cleaning products through research and databases. And no wonder, a number of manufacturers and suppliers are responding to their demand of having hygienic and environmentally friendly restrooms, and are coming with a slew of innovative product solutions and cleaning technologies.

Can we clean the Augean Stables that characterise most of our washrooms across various facilities and properties? Yes, we can say that despite the challenges, we are on our way through the long road at whose end we may find an ideal restroom that is as simple, sophisticated and green as nature itself. Then we have to replicate that idea into reality, across hospitality properties and other facilities. ■

Sep-Oct ’1118

Waste Shouldn’t

Go WasteWaste Shouldn’t

FEATURE

The process of collection, transport, processing, recycling or disposal and monitoring of waste materials is termed as waste management. Waste management does involve solid waste, liquid waste, gaseous or radioactive wastes, and there are different methods of managing them. Of course, solid, liquid

or gaseous wastes can in turn take varied forms which include industrial waste, e-waste, biomedical waste, wastes of human wastes among others. Wastes can also be classifi ed as bio-degradable and non bio-degradable.

Bio-degradable materials are those which can be degraded like paper, wood, fruits, etc. Non bio-degradable materials are those which cannot be degraded like plastics, bottles, old machines, cans, etc.

Waste management is an issue of great concern for our society. The huge deposits of untreated solid and liquid waste, strewn across the environment, do have the potential to incur huge costs in terms of health and hygiene, but if they are creatively managed, the same wastes could translate into tangible economic benefi ts for the society. It is not the waste as such which should worry us. Every society or

every function in a given society has some element of waste involved in it, but the issue is how we look at it. If we are casual about our wastes,

they would harm us; if we are serious about their recycling, we can derive long-term benefi ts from them.

Without a comprehensive waste management system in place, no commercial or public building, or for that matter, no society is capable of addressing the essential requirements of clean and hygiene. But sadly the Indian governments, its corporate sector and as well as its civil society, by

By Swarnendu Biswas

19Sep-Oct ’11

Go Waste

FEATURE

and large, are not at all serious about waste management issues. Even a cursory observation would reveal that polluting waste has become an integral part of India’s environment. The issue of waste management is one of the greatest challenges for India, more particularly for the urban India. Presently, waste management, both as a concept and an industry, is in its initial stages of development in India. However, the market for waste management in India has immense potential.

R e d u c e , R e u s e a n d Recycle

Waste management is much more than effective cleaning and disposal of rubbish. Waste can be converted into wealth, which can

generate livelihoods for millions of people, and also enrich the environment through natural composting and vermicomposting.

However, to operate a comprehensive waste

management program, we must fi rst of all strive to reduce waste, and reuse a given material or product or a property whenever possible, so that its utility can be maximised. The reuse can take a conventional form, where a given product is reused for the same previous function, or new-life reuse, where a given product is used for a new function.

In contrast, recycling of waste involves breaking down of a used product into raw materials and then using those raw materials to create new products. Recycling gives rebirth to a product, from the death of waste. Without recycling, no waste management exercise assumes a ring of completeness. Recycling of waste entails processing of waste into new products thereby reducing

energy wastage, and also signifi cantly facilitating in reducing air and water pollution and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Succinctly, a good waste management exercise should strive to minimise the generation of waste, and obtain optimum benefi ts from it.

Industrial and E-Waste In India, huge mountains of

industrial and e-waste of all sorts and forms are having detrimental affects on the environment. This in turn does have the potential of paving the way for a number of diseases, both of chronic and lethal nature. Untreated industrial waste could result in water and air pollution, and hence can facilitate a number of tropical water-borne diseases, and breathing related disorders.

Industrial waste happens to be a major factor behind air pollution in India, while the other being unsafe cooking methods through use of biomass fuels like wood, crop residue, and dung cakes. In fact, it would do us well to remember that

Sep-Oct ’1120

FEATURE

air pollution accounts for more than 20 lakh premature deaths per year, across the globe.

Untreated electronic waste or e-waste also has a potentially baneful impact, which demands the need for urgent recycling. E-waste comprises discarded, obsolete, or broken electrical or electronic devices, which are not in usage anymore. The old, discarded desk and laptop computers, discarded television sets, CDs, DVDs, printers, mobile phones, pagers, refrigerators, electronic toys, etc. can qualify as e- waste or electronic waste. According to the experts, e-waste comprises many hazardous materials like PVC plastics, heavy metals and brominated flame retardants. Some electronic scrap components, such as CRTs, contain contaminants such as lead, cadmium, beryllium, mercury among others.

It is not that there is very less disposal of e-waste in India, but what is of serious concern that the disposal of e-waste in our country is usually accompanied with negative environmental fallouts. E-waste is valuable as a source of secondary raw material, but has toxic influences on the society if they are treated and discarded improperly.

Generally, Indian homes sell their discarded televisions, computers, and other assorted electronics items to the scrap dealers, from where they meander into unauthorised recycling

wards. There these electronic components are usually torn, burn or melted for commercial purposes. In a plethora of unauthorised recycling wards scattered across the country, valuable and reusable metals are extracted from these e-wastes, and the rest are disposed.

There the unscientific ways of recycling of the parts of electronic waste does expose thousands of labourers in the informal sector to the toxic-heavy metals such as lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium and chromium, etc. as these metals are extracted from the e-waste for a variety of uses. These toxic metals, when they get mixed with the environment, do have the potential to harm the brain and kidneys. Some of these metals from e-waste could have carcinogenic characteristics too.

There is an urgent need for a comprehensive, safe and scientific method of e-waste collection, recycling and disposal of e-waste in India through public-private participation. At the same time, we must reduce the e-waste generation by changing our lifestyles.

In this regard, the e-waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011, notified by the Ministry of Environment and Forests has come as a silver lining in an otherwise cloudy waste disposal scenario in India. It has the potential to translate a health menace into an opportunity for development, assuming that there

would be sincere political will in its implantation, which however, all said and done, is a rarity in India. There is still almost a year to go before the rules could take effect, which is barely time enough for creating the requisite infrastructure for facilitating the process of effective e-waste management in the society.

Seriously Lacking Sanitation However, industrial waste and

e-waste are not the only sources of waste which threaten to seriously jeopardise the health and hygiene of our society at large. Another source of waste is the municipal waste, which generates in India primarily due to the appalling paucity of even the basic civic amenities. Sometimes, untreated waste and dumped garbage in cities generated through lack of basic sanitation exercises is often the cause of a range of tropical diseases.

Solid waste, which is a municipal menace of our cities, deserves urgent attention. Creative recycling of solid waste, apart from curbing the potential health menace, can facilitate power generation, which can light up hundreds of villages. But for an effective solid waste management to function effectively, perfect co-ordination between man and machines is very much needed. Simply sophisticated solid waste treatment plants would not be able to address the challenge, though they are absolutely necessary; simply trained and well-paid manpower is not sufficient, though they are absolutely necessary.

Lots of sewage treatment plants and waste water treatment plants for cleaning waters strewn with industrial waste, e-waste and municipal wastes, are necessary to tackle this environmental and health crisis. The states should not only install them on a war footing, but should also encourage more and more private entrepreneurs to invest in this direction, by providing them with adequate incentives.

The Plastic Smile of Death Plastics are one of the major

sources of municipal waste in India. Harmful chemicals leach from the

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plastic and get infused into the environment, causing environmental damages. Plastic wastes can break down and release toxins, which can harm the human health, animals, and the entire environment as a whole.

Plastic bags; which are made from petroleum, a fast depleting, non-renewable and scarce resource, are also non- biodegradable. The decomposition of plastic bags takes about a millennium, on an average. Besides posing a challenge to the municipal waste disposal system in India, plastic is also an important constituent of industrial waste in India. Various forms of plastics are also the products of industrial waste.

Each year, more and more plastic bags are ending up littering the environment. It is estimated that everyday India generates 5600 tonnes of plastic waste, which is alarming to say the least. Once the plastic bags outlive their usage, they are dumped as litter. They tend to pollute the waterways, parks, mountains, sea beaches, and even ordinary streets. Even if they are burned, the plastics infuse the air with toxic fumes. In India, plastic waste creates impromptu landfills here, there and everywhere.

Not only thousands of aquatic animals such as turtles, dolphins, whales, and birds like penguins meet their deaths every year, due to the intake of plastic bags, but untreated plastics also contribute to blockage of municipal sewers and storm water drains, thereby contaminating water and becoming a nuisance value of sorts. The sources of plastic wastes are primarily from residences, commercial establishments, hotels, hospitals and industries.

The governments in India have time and again tried to ban the use of plastics, but their attempts have proved futile before the market forces of demand and supply. Moreover, considering the fact that thousands of families earn their livelihoods in India through recycling of plastic waste, a complete ban on plastic industries in India is not justifiable on humanitarian as well as economic grounds.

Plastic recycling is a way out to prevent plastics becoming an environmental hazard. The process of recovering scrap or waste plastics and reprocessing the material into useful products can be termed as plastics recycling. This way we can get plastic chairs and tables through discarded plastic bottles. Though in India, plastics are routinely recycled, and collection of plastic waste is a source of livelihood for numerous rag-pickers or waste collectors, but these collected plastic wastes are often recycled while defying the basic environmental norms. Without a plethora of plastic treatment plants involving scientific methods of recycling, we cannot hope to achieve sustainable waste management.

A Biomedical Hazard Then there is the hazard of

biomedical waste. It primarily includes laboratory or hospital waste, or waste generated from health clinics, nursing homes, dentists’ clinics, homes of veterinarians, and also funeral homes. They can be broadly categorised as human anatomical waste, animal waste, solid waste, liquid waste, waste sharp such as needles, syringes, glasses, blades, etc. and chemical waste. Biomedical waste could be contagious and dangerous, and the extent of their danger can even assume lethal overtones. The biomedical waste should be managed with great sensitivity and circumspection, so as to not only safeguard the health and well-being of the general public but also of the healthcare and sanitation workers, who are routinely exposed to the biomedical waste as an occupational hazard.

The hospital staff should be properly trained in effectively managing the biomedical waste. Despite the presence of Bio-Medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules 1998, the current scenario in redressing this potential health threat is not fully satisfactory in India. The incidence of biomedical litter can be eliminated or significantly reduced by perking up of cleanliness and hygiene standards in hospitals, laboratories, clinics and nursing homes on a war footing. For that of

Sep-Oct ’1122

course, the government, civil society and the medical fraternity must make a concerted effort.

In India, the hospitals should go in for sophisticated technologies for the disposal of biomedical waste, which include incineration, autoclaving and microwaving, and the Union Gov e r n m e n t s h o u l d provide adequate assistance to the states so that these facilities are inducted and the right training towards disposal of biomedical waste is being given to the health personnel without any financial impediments. Of course, at the same time, the states must also ensure that the private hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, dispensaries, veterinary houses, blood banks, animal houses and pathological laboratories within their territories must adhere to the Bio-Medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules 1998 scrupulously, and are also able enough to do so.

Radiating Waste The disposal of radioactive

waste is a critical element of our modern society, which unfortunately, seldom gets its desired attention. Any waste product containing radioactive material/s can be termed as radioactive waste. In small doses, radioactivity is a useful process that has been used by the mankind for development purposes, but its exposure in large doses can be

dangerous to human health. Exposure to a high dosage of radioactive waste can cause cancer, birth defects, genetic damage and many other serious life threatening or life altering ailments. Radioactive waste can occur from nuclear, medical, industrial, and even academic sources. Over the years, the populations across the globe have been affected by the increased infusion of radioactive materials on our already fragile environment.

Thankfully, radioactivity reduces over time, and thus an effective way to counter the influence of radioactive waste is to keep the waste isolated over a period of time, until its components no longer pose a hazard. The process of isolation however, can extend from hours to many thousands of years, depending on the level or quantity of radioactive wastes, and also their half lives. Segregation and storage for short-lived radioactive waste, near-surface disposal for low and some intermediate level radioactive waste, and deep and secure burial for the high-level radioactive waste are regarded as widely held safe options.

The Init iat ives in Waste Management

Despite the overall bleak situation in treating wastes productively in India, the waste management market in India was valued at Rs.1000 crores in 2008 and is expected to reach

Rs.2700 crores in 2013. The waste management industry is growing at 22 percent per annum, on an average.

There are also a few praiseworthy efforts here and there in the realm of waste management, which induce us to hope for a future which simply refuses to go waste. One of them is the Noida-based Attero Recycling, which is India’s first integrated e-waste recycling company. The company was founded by Nitin Gupta and Rohan Gupta in the year 2007 with an objective of providing an environmentally friendly solution to the problem of e-waste.

It is an integrated end-to-end electronic waste recycling company, which has the distinction of becoming the first e-waste recycler to be registered with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India. The company undertakes the responsibility of picking up e-waste from anywhere in India, on the basis of a phone call. Then it takes the e-waste to the company’s factory at Roorkee, for scientific recycling.

The factory at Roorkee, spread over an area of more than 100,000 sq ft, has fully automated facility for e-waste recycling. Attero’s $9 million worth e-waste recycling facility at Roorkee has a capacity to process 36,000 tonnes per annum of e-waste. The plant processes WEEE ( Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment), that are used computers, cel l phones, network gear, TVs, etc. in an environmentally friendly manner, with very high recycling efficiency. Of course, it goes without saying that complete data security is assured by Attero. The company retrieves precious metals present in mobile phones, laptops, computers and other e-waste items. The recycling process comprises disassembly, mechanical separation of materials and metallurgical treatment.

Recently, the innovative company has decided to set up an e-waste unit in Bengaluru. According to Nitin Gupta, the CEO of Attero Recycling, in Bengaluru the company will soon introduce a 3,000 TPA

FEATURE

23Sep-Oct ’11

(tonnes per annum) recycling facility where the e-waste will be segregated and dismantled.

Conserve India, a Delhi-based NGO, has turned plastic bags into high fashion statement. Founded by Anita Ahuja, the organisation recycles or rather upcycles the plastic and polythene bags that are picked up from Delhi’s dirty and polluted streets to generate revenues and also create employment opportunities for many underprivileged. The NGO creatively upcycles these potential environmental hazards to craf t appealing handbags, fashion accessories and footwears, which have great export value. The production process of their handmade recycled plastics is much more environmentally friendly than an average conventional recycling process. Today, Conserve India employs and trains hundreds of people from Delhi ’s most disadvantaged communities to clear their streets of the plague of plastic bag waste.

Some years back, Kanadukathan, a town Panchayat of Chettinad region in the Sivganga district of Tamil Nadu, attracted headlines for its solid waste management initiatives. The town Panchayat, through active support of the district administration and the state government, did manage to produce good quality natural manure from daily wastes, cluttered in the houses of the town. According to a newspaper report, the demand for this natural manure was encouraging. Besides generating revenue, this innovative exercise managed to facilitate cleanliness in Kanadukathan’s streets, and increased the employment opportunities for its people.

Dr. Suneet Dabke is one of the

pioneers in making creative usage of industrial waste His innovative experiment with vermicomposting in Muthia village of the industrial town of Naroda in Gujarat had reaped rich environmental dividends about three years ago. Nearly 50,000 earthworms were released into a pile of 60,000 tonnes of toxic sludge, as a part of the pilot project undertaken to test the effectiveness of vermiculture technology in eliminating industrial toxins. And the earthworms didn’t let Dr. Dabke down. They consumed almost the entire industrial waste at the site, leaving the place free of toxins.

In this context, the Canvironment Week, which is the initiative of Hindustan Tin Works Ltd., deserves a special mention. This united global metal recycling movement was started in 2010, which achieved great heights to promote sustainability in the first year itself. A major effort to support the global recycling system and the long-term sustainability of the metal cans are the key features of this initiative.

November 10-17 was being slotted as the Canvironment Week. Leading can makers, brand owners, government bodies, NGOs and industry associations joined this global initiative, which made a sustainable impact on the minds of the consumers.

During the week, among other environmentally friendly initiatives, a can collection drive was also organised where in 10 can banks were also installed at approximately 10 locations in and around Delhi (malls, food courts, metro railway stations, etc). The population at large deposited cans at can banks and 37,026 cans were collected from 10th-17th Nov 2010. The used cans were sent for recycling. All the revenue thereby generated was given upfront for the upliftment of the lives of the rag pickers through NGO — Chintan.

Success of many more such wonderful initiatives are needed if we want to emerge as a society where waste is not simply treated as a waste, but is perceived as an untapped potential for wealth and prosperity. ■

Sep-Oct ’1124

FOCUS

A great many movies have been made about the invasion of extraterrestrial beings. But truth is

not only stranger and quieter but can also be potentially more dangerous than fi ction. Yes, a series of invasions does takes place within the four walls of your home and hearth by pint size invaders, whose stings are much more powerful than the thrill exuded from the fi ctitious extraterrestrial beings.

And truth can be simple and dangerous too. These tiny but powerful invaders are simply known as ants. Mention the dreaded word to any housewife and watch her squirm as she recalls the day they ruined the sweets

that she had made for her children. They can also get into clothes and vent their ire with their sting. The effect of unchecked ant invasion on food business can be disastrous. According to most surveys of pest management professionals, ants aren’t just a great pest problem. They are also responsible for the bulk of callbacks and revenue losses in businesses. The pest management professionals recommend an integrated approach for ant control to tackle the giant problem of ants. Ants are

attracted to sweets, and sugar is

p o s s i b l y t h e m o s t

important reason for an army of ants to march into your home, but they do have a fairly impressive range of foods. They eat all that human beings eat, and more. Besides sweets, they do feed on greasy materials, starchy substances, wood, and all

kinds of plant and animal materials. Ants

are also useful as they eat up all organic waste and dead materials but sometimes

their nuisance value prevents us from gauging their usefulness in nature.

United We Stand One can safely say that ants

are among the most successful insects in the ecology. According

Tackling the Marching Marching

AntsBy Ashok Malkani

Sep-Oct ’11

25Sep-Oct ’11

pincer like jaws. Ants bite the skin of the human beings, injecting poison into the body.

Ants use their tiny sizes to their a d v a n t a g e b y entering into the homes through the smallest of cracks or

openings. Therefore, the pest control of ants is challenging. They enter the homes for food and shelter. One sure way of keeping the ants away is through ensuring that they have nothing to eat in the house, which as you have guessed, is easier said than done.

Unlike the imperfect human society, the more perfect society of ants is female dominated. A colony of ant consists of an egg-laying female, who is known as the queen, short-lived males, and sterile female workers and soldiers. The queen is generally the largest ant in a given ant colony. The queen ants are endowed with wings till her mating fl ight, after which she removes them. Reproduction is the primary function of the queen, but after establishing a new nest she may also care for and feed the fi rst bunch of workers. According to a pest application specialist, “A new colony is typically established by a

single newly mated queen. After weeks or months of

confi nement underground she lays her fi rst eggs.”

However, eventually she becomes an egg-laying machine, cleaned and fed by her offspring. She is succeeded by the daughter queen. It is worth noting that some ant species have more than one queen in their nest. Male ants are generally winged and usually keep their wings till they reach their deaths. It seems that the male ants’ only function is to mate with the queen. After copulating, they die…generally within two weeks.

The sterile female ants are wingless, and they carry the burden of work. They construct and repair the nest, feed both immature and adult ants, including the queen. They also defend the nest. The

FOCUS

to the estimation by the experts, there could be 20,000 or more species of ants in the world. Ants cover a wide variety of ecological roles and serve as predators, herbivores, leaf-cutters, seed-harvesters, aphid- tenders, and fungus-growers. They are omnipresent in homes and outdoors. They are found in rainforests and mountains, deserts and valleys; they are also abundant in homes, restaurants, offices, warehouses and other buildings where they can fi nd food and water. Preventing their invasion is not easy, though not impossible.

Individually an ant may not be powerful, but a colony of ants certainly is. Ants are social insects, and their organised colonies are the sources of their strength. A colony of ants may often contain millions of ants. Sometimes colonies of invasive ant species coalesce into super-colonies, spanning a fairly wide area. Ant colonies are sometimes described as super-organisms because they often do operate as a single entity.

Black ants and red ants are the most common form of ants. Red ants have a greater propensity to bite human beings. T h e r e d

a n t s a r e s o c a l l e d

because of the fi ery pain their sting

causes. In fact, only a few types of ants sting, which include the native fi re ants and harvesting ants. Like other ants, they too bite with their

Ants

25Sep-Oct ’11

Sep-Oct ’1126

FOCUS

sterile female ants are classified as workers and soldiers, and come in varied sizes. They specialise in certain tasks.

Ants go through a comprehensive life cycle comprising egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The egg is tiny; almost microscopic in size. The larva is legless and grub-like, very soft and whitish in colour. The survival of larva depends entirely on workers, who nourish it with for food and care. The pupa looks somewhat like the adult but is soft, is not pigmented, and is devoid of the power of movement. Some pupas are enclosed in a cocoon, while some are not. A new born adult ant requires several days for its body to harden and darken.

Knowing to Counter Like human civilisation, the

civilisation of ants too gets spread and eroded. After the maturation of a colony of ants, the ants often establish new colonies through various methods. Most common among them are budding and swarming. The appropr i a t e management strategy to counter ants depends on how an ant colony spreads, and therefore it is essential to correctly identify the ant species before deciding how to manage it. Perhaps the most effective and easy way of ant control is through elimination of the queen/s and the nest itself. If the nest is found by tracking workers, or through a survey, eliminating that nest is fairly simple.

Ants feed on storage food and as well as food and drink from spills and garbage. They may also be devouring other insects or go for scavenging

of dead insects accumulated in windows or lights. The knowledge of food habits of the invading ant species is crucial to ant management, because it may facilitate the location and removal of food that is attracting the ants to the site. This knowledge can also help to locate foraging trails to track the ants back to their nest, and it can help to select on an effective bait.

The identification of the ant species might also facilitate to determine where the nest might be located, what the ants might be feeding on, and the best tactics to be employed for the prevention of their invasion. The time of the inspection is also important. For example, some of the ant species are most active in the evening, and for them, an inspection at the broad daylight might unearth very little about their menace.

Baits to Prevent Countering some ant infestations

might entail an intensive survey program employing non toxic baits to locate the nesting sites. Some of the good non toxic baits are honey, jelly, bacon grease, peanut butter, or raw liver. Baits or a combination of baits on small pieces of cardboard, aluminum foil, masking tape, or plastic pill bottle lids could be placed throughout the facility.

These baits should also be checked on a periodic basis, and baits that do not experience any feeding activity within 24 hours should be removed or moved to another area. Over a period of days, the survey diagram will pinpoint areas of ant activity. In addition, trails of ants feeding on the bait can sometimes be tracked to the nest site.

One can say that almost any kind of ant problem can be effectively countered through four steps. Firstly, the nature and the extent of ant inspection must be surveyed, and if possible, the nest or nests should be located. Here baits can play an important role. Then stringent sanitation exercise should be employed to remove food and water from the easy access of the invading ants. Like all pests, ants need food, water, and shelter to

survive. By limiting these essentials, you make it more difficult for ants to live in the infested area. This may induce them to change their habitats.

If these two steps don’t lead to the desired results, then a right combination of tools should be exercised to eliminate the menace of ants from the home or the facility. In this regard, insecticides mixed with materials which attract worker ants can be used as effective baits. So we can infer that not only in detection of ant nests but also in their elimination baits do play a very important role.

A Comprehensive Exercise Thereaf ter, the necessar y

structural repairs should also be carried out to prevent their future access. Caulking and sealing of cracks and crevices used by ants can prevent their future entry. Here it deserves a mention that in the recent years, many easy-to-use and effective silicon sealers and expandable caulk products have been developed; some of them are designed specifically for pest management.

Succinctly, all said and done, long-term management of ants in your home or a public facility may require a combination of improved sanitation, habitat modification, structural repairs, along with one or more direct control tactics such as insecticide baits, crack and crevice treatments, and direct physical controls.

Chemical tools for controlling ants have also changed in the recent years. Insect growth regulators, new baits, commercial bait stations have come up. But still it is better to consider the zoology of ants before employing insecticides. Often using insecticides is not the most efficient or important of the ways to control the ants.

Of late, scientists have identified four new species of brain-controlling fungi in Brazilian rainforests that can kill carpenter ants. Identified from samples collected at two sites in Brazil’s tropical rainforests, each of the four species of fungi specialises in controlling a different species of carpenter ants. ■

27Sep-Oct ’11

INDUSTRY

Industrial & institutional c l ean ing has come o f age during the last few decades. Due to increasing fuel prices, transportation

and storage costs for any product are shooting through the roof. Today, as environmental concerns are increasing, the need to have cleaning products that can be used or consumed for a longer period of time is the need for the hour. Hence, professional cleaning and hygiene products are slowly but surely moving from ready to use or lower concentrates to super concentrates, thereby lowering transportation and storage costs for the customers.

In the recent years, economic & environmental concerns are inducing customers to ask manufacturers and service providers to give them solutions that address their needs, most important of them being operational effi ciency. The rising cost of raw materials of both petroleum and non-petroleum products are pushing the cost of formulated detergents higher and higher. The cost of plastic itself has increased rapidly over the last couple of years and there is continued environmental concern with regard to disposal and

reuse of the same.The trend can be seen in cleaning

applications like laundry, kitchen and housekeeping. The effectiveness of a product is mainly dependent on how the product is dosed, dispensed or diluted. Under dosing and over dosing are both economically harmful for the organisation where it is being used.

The focus on sustainability, environment & the growing necessity of reduction in plastic waste is also a key factor. In the developed economies like the UK, the US, etc. chemical manufacturers have moved to innovative packaging technology like bag-in-box, super concentrates, hyper concentrates to reduce the impact of plastic in manufacturing and hence its usage.

From a customer’s perspective, moving to a super concentrate from ready-to-use or basic concentrate p ro d u c t h a s t h e f o l l ow i n g advantages:

• Reduction in the number of cases or volume of cases handled, which in turn means less storage space required.

• Use of accurate dispensing s y s t em, en su r ing min imum wastage.

• C o s t i n u s e advantage vis-à-vis low concentrated products.

• R e d u c t i o n i n plastic that is to be recycled, hence positive contribution to the environment.

In lieu of these above advantages, the user has to make an upfront investment in buying the super concentrates, which on an overall

basis are much lower than the cost of RTUs and concentrates purchased. Let us take an example. Suppose that customer A is today purchasing 100 litres of product X, which he uses with a dilution of 2 percent with the help of a pelican pump. This 100 litres of product X of pack size 2X5 litres at the recommended dilution gives the customer 5000 litres of RTU solution. Let us now assume that the customer replaces product X with product Y, which has a pack size of 2X1.4 litres & a dilution of 0.25 percent. Considering that we need 5000 litres of RTU solution, we need 4.4 cases (approximately 5 cases) of product Y instead of 10 cases of product X.

Thereby, the consumer ends up saving almost 10 cans of 5 litres equivalent plastic and CO2, through the use of product Y, instead of product X. The cost in use also works out to be lower. However, super concentrates or hyper concentrates with such low dilutions cannot be dispensed through pelican pumps. We need sophisticated easy to use, tamper proof and 100 percent accurate system to ensure there is no wastage of chemical or errors in dilution.

We can say that in this day and age, whether it is a large site or a medium or a small site, systems should be tailored for multiple uses and different product requirements which improve efficiency, increase safety, simplify operations, and improve your environmental footprints.

The author is Director, Regional Sector Marketing,

Diversey India Pvt. Ltd.

By Abhay Desai

Concentrated Cleaning Solutions

27Sep-Oct ’11

Sep-Oct ’1128

LAUNDRY

For a country like India where dust, sweat and soiling of garments and linen is a fast and natural consequence of the weather despite

the occasional air-conditioned space, good laundry is more about health and cleanliness than clean clothes. While the laundry industry is more than a century old in India, it is only in the last decade that the laundry

trends in India have started reaching the global standards.

The changing economic scenario in India has created avenues for new businesses. With the increasing nuclearisation of families and double income households people are looking for new solutions to manage the balance between work and home. In this fast changing scenario, where people are running behind their respective deadlines, laundry service

is one of the most required services to save precious time of the people. And over the years, the character of laundry service in India has shown perceptible change.

In the good old days, even the elites used to take only their woolens to the laundry as the dhobi or at best the housemaid was thought to be competent enough to just soap the clothes, rinse, dry and iron them. Traditionally India has

Sep-Oct ’11

Making Business Out of Laundry

29Sep-Oct ’11

been having dry cleaning shops, which are mostly used for seasonal dry cleaning. In the first half of the twentieth century, there were very few players in the laundry business with a pan India presence. Bandbox appeared as a brand in the early 60s, much after Novex, which came into the scene earlier, in the 30s. Snow White followed later and they more or less shared the entire branded dry- cleaning and washing business in India.

Influencing Laundry Trends The sight of clothes drying

in long rows by the river banks, popularly known as dhobi ghats, is still not a lost sight, yet the trends are slowly and steadily changing the face of the laundry business, at least in urban India. And the players in the laundry business, as in any other business, have to keep abreast of the international trends, as their religious adherence eventually makes a big difference to the business. Today, the success of commercial laundry services is evident from the increasing customer base and the volumes they are expected to generate in the future.

The fast moving developments in the textile industry also contributed to the modernisation of the laundry services. The Indian textile industry grew at a rapid pace and the laundry requirement in that sector was a latent yet significant part of the business. In its necessity to keep up

with the international competition, laundry systems were modernised and updated.

While the modern trends in the hotels called for the need to have in-house laundries to serve the guests better, the latest trend in the hospitality sector of India is to outsource laundry services. However, there is another school of thought which believes that guests’ laundry requirements in the hotels would rather be attended to in-house, which is also in practice.

Another major development in the laundry business was in the hospital sector. Clean linen was an antiseptic need for preventing cross infection. Thus many hospitals in India are gearing up to meet this apparently new, though long felt need for a separate hospital laundry.

Bottlenecks Remain The visible trends in the laundry

business inc lude automation, outsourcing, linen rentals, strategic tie- ups, alliances of institutions for in-house or pool laundries and dry cleaning units.

However, even today in India, despite the happening trends in the laundry business, the unorganised laundry service providers, who are primarily engaged in traditional dry-cleaning, are by and large unprofessional. Though it is evident that eventually the emphasis on smartly turned out linen, uniforms

Sep-Oct ’1130

and garments will raise the levels of the laundries and dry cleaners, it is still a long way ahead for the common neighborhood drycleaner.

The large laundry and dry cleaning establishments also do not have really efficient and scientific systems and equipment for handling their loads. One of the reasons impeding the overall growth of the laundry business is the high cost of laundry equipment. However, there are reasons to believe that the new entrants in the commercial laundry business in India will foster this trend towards smart laundries.

Factors to Consider in Commercial Laundry

L i k e f o o d a n d c l o t h i n g , commercial laundry business is one of the most recession-proof investments. It has a typical ROI of 20 percent to 30 percent. It has been classified as one of the safest investments in the clean & hygiene industry and has several benefits. Besides laundry business can also serve as a great part-time job, requiring no prior experience.

Commercial laundry business can be regarded as a very reliable and profitable investment requiring minimum supervision entailing very low operating costs. But, this successful business can turn out to be unprofitable if things are not planned in proper order. While setting up a commercial laundry few things must be considered beforehand. Of course, it is recommended to have a well thought out and carefully

drafted business plan. The next important step is determining what kind of a business entity it will be, while properly estimating the start-up and operating costs.

Se lect ing the r ight n u m b e r a n d t y p e o f equipment suitable for your laundry operations is also essential. In the commercial laundry business, one of the most important factors to consider is the choice of the commercial laundry equipment, which can play a deciding role in the

commercial laundry operations. The key equipments required for any commercial laundry service are commercial washers, dryers and stacked dryers. The correct choice of these commercial laundry equipments along with proper layout and operations plan can generate tidy and increasing profits.

While purchasing commercial laundry equipments, one can find that commercial dryer is an important purchase to go in for. Here are a few considerations you should adhere to while making the buying decision for a commercial dryer.

Before purchasing the dryer, carefully ascertain the heat source. We must keep in mind that the gas heated machine will produce at a more efficient rate, compared to a steam model. This is so as it costs more to produce steam that heats a steam coil in order to heat

LAUNDRY

the air. On the other hand, a gas machine directly fires up with a heat source and permeates heats into the air. Also take into account of the configurations of the machines as they play crucial role in the workflow of the laundry. Do also consider the price and additional features, which can influence bottom lines for small laundry operations.

While envisaging starting on a new laundry operation, besides the commercial equipments one also needs to evaluate the floor plan, which in turn influences the order and placement of various laundry equipments. In this regard, you can take the suggestions of the equipment distributors. They will be of great help as they have dealt with a wide variety of floor plan layouts.

Consider the suggestions about what the right equipment mix will be for a particular floor layout. This is very much important as these days, the floor space is costlier than before and having a proper layout can help save some valuable space. In this way, one needs to effectively optimise the usable space.

One of the suggestions for utilising valuable space is going in for a stack dryer as this entails more like putting two machines in the place of one. Doing this will help to free up space for other equipments like additional washers, snack vending machines, change machines, etc. Easy access to machines is critical, and so is the availability of laundry carts and folding tables, for a comfortable customer experience contributes

31Sep-Oct ’11

LAUNDRY

towards customer loyaltyThere are other points to consider

too. Getting the necessary licenses and permits in order to operate legally is another important aspect to be dealt with carefully. Determining on how many staff to employ and their wages, etc. is the next important criterion. A prospective entrant in the laundry business must also keep it in mind that a commercial laundry requires 1500 to 5000 sq.ft. of retail space. It is better to select

a shopping complex or an area with a large student, singles or tenant population to give a fillip to your laundry business.

Determine how to advertise and market services in the locality where you envisage setting up your laundry business, and devise innovative ways to retain customers. Try using leaflets distribution, which may be effective. Also determine on the hours of operations. You can use a timer system to open and close the door as

per a preset timing schedule.

Towards Green Laundries Closely associated with the

laundry business is the chemicals and detergents market. While soap and washing powder took the country by storm in the early seventies, the specialised detergents, whiteners, fabric softeners and other varied chemicals are prevalently used in the laundries these days.

However, many chemicals used in dry cleaning have received flak for disturbing the environment. Nowadays, many hotels have a policy of handling washing water and effluents in a secure and eco-friendly manner. Reduction of water and solvent consumption, control of waste water, management of distillation sludge are also important measures for operating an environmentally friendly laundry business. Since water is a major requirement for any laundry, recycling of water and water treatment should be given priority in the laundry business. ■

Sep-Oct ’1132

CLEANING

keeping illness at bay. The looming dust particles

in the environment pollute the environment and give rise to several health hazards. The pall of dust hanging on the air often impedes the aircraft’s operations, when it combines with high humidity to create a cloud of early morning fog, thereby affecting visibility and risking the possibility of accidents. So we can see that a dust particle is not small enough to be overlooked.

But before undertaking dust cleaning, a proper understanding of the various aspects germane to dust, and knowledge of various types of dust are needed. When a job is processed on a machine,

some dust is generated which is known as processed dust. That dust should be extracted with urgency for the benefi t of the health of the machine and its operator. It is better to carry out online cleaning process simultaneously so as to eliminate the adverse effects of the processed dust.

Dust that falls on the fl oor or on objects is known as surface settled dust. It should also be removed at a convenient time, though its removal doesn’t call for immediacy. Dust falling on computers, television sets, DVDs can be termed as settled dust. Dust also comes to the premises from outside. To prevent its intrusion, dust proofi ng is being

Settle

Don’t Let the

Th e i n d u s t r i a l processes generate heat, waste and dust. Besides the heat and waste, dust too has negative

influences on the human health and environment. Dust particles not only damage the indoor atmosphere, but also the production equipment and its produce. No wonder, dust collection has assumed signifi cant importance in the industrial scenario. It is also gaining importance in the hospitality sector, as lack of cleanliness and hygiene cannot be covered by glitz and glamour in the long-run. Like industries and hotels, homes too require regular dusting for

Don’t Let the

33Sep-Oct ’11

CLEANING

done. Carpet cleaning is an effective way to check the intrusion of dust and grime from outside coming to the premises. Dust also generates from the ambience of a premise, and for this ambient air cleaning needs to be done. Laboratory or a photo-fi lm production unit generally needs to undertake ambient air cleaning. Dust sometimes also gets mixed into the material. Dust in sugar is a case in the point.

One needs to be very careful of the dust particles of the size lower than 10 microns, which is not visible to the naked eye. These dust particles are collectively referred to as respirable dust, which does get absorbed by the lungs, leading to a host of health problems such as bronchitis, asthma, other respiratory problems, and even cancer.

Collecting Dust Dust adversely impacts on

personal , environmental and economic level. Dust collection can facilitate the process of safeguarding health and environment, and can also protect the production equipment in the industries from quick depreciation. Thus the quality and output of the produce also get an impetus, and the possibility of machinery breakdown reduces.

Dust collection entails extraction of dust from its source. The suction hood plays a crucial role in the extraction of dust, and its poor design is often the reason for the failure of most dust collectors. A good suction hood should take into account of the speed and direction of the dust particles, other moving particles in the vicinity, visibility zone for the operator, etc.

Here it deserves a mention that suction hoods are connected to the dust collectors through ducts. Ducts are pipes through which

dusty air passes through, after the dust collection operation begins. A dust collector also has a vacuum generation unit, which serves as a centrifugal blower and provides the airfl ow, while preventing the system pressure to drop. Separation devices like cyclone and fi lter separate dust from air, which causes pressure to drop. More fi ne the fi lter, higher the pressure drop, which translates into higher energy loss. Thus an optimal design that would ensure proper separation with less energy loss is the necessary requirement for a dust collector.

Window Cleaning One of the dangerous facets of

dust cleaning involves cleaning of window panes of the offices and hotels. The windows of sleek hotels are exposed to dust and grime, a fact which their image cannot afford. In India, most hotels with fi xed glass have their windows cleaned at least once a month. For some fi ve-star properties it is carried out twice a month.

The ordinary cleaning procedures cannot ser ve the purpose here, as m a n y o f t h e corporate houses and hotels are h i g h - r i s e s t r uc tu re s . Often window c l e a n i n g entai ls high level access. Aluminum scaffoldings can facilitate window cleaning of buildings having a height of 16 meters and less, but for buildings of greater heights, installation of runways or portable jibs on roofs and a cradle rigged to runways, permitting traverse and vertical movement, are the appropriate methods. Rope Acess is a new technique of window cleaning, which was started in France barely a decade and a half ago, but is gaining popularity. This is also referred to as the ‘Spiderman Service.’

The dust cleaning becomes a particularly diffi cult task for sloping facades. And they require a cleaning

once in a week, as does the low level glass facades on roads cluttered with traffi c, which experience settling of carbon dust due to traffi c smoke. It is advisable to clean the glass facades before the advent of rainy season as dust and rain water can mix to create a lot of messy muck.

It is dismal that in India, often the cleaning of the dust from the glass façade reduces to being a neglected issue among the building owners. This in the long-run may prove costly. If the glass façade is not cleaned

periodically, it will absorb some of the particles from the environment, w h i c h w i l l e v e n t u a l l y l ead to the p e r m a n e n t damage to the glass. And the replacement

costs are not negligible, to say the least.

Dust Free Homes In homes, the electronic items

require regular dusting to keep them running efficiently. The kitchen should be dust free, so that food and water doesn’t bring ill health to its inmates. If dust of days together or for that matter months together gets piled up on these items, they cause overload on the capacitors and other electronic elements, which can result in overheating and affecting their proper functioning. The kitchen of course, needs to be dust free to prevent dust from infi ltrating food, water and other drinks and facilitating ill health.

Sep-Oct ’1134

CLEANING

Carpet cleaning is another issue which needs to be addressed in homes as well as hotels.

If the carpets and the mats are not cleaned of dust regularly, the possibility of outside soil invading a home or hotel premises becomes more. A dusty or soiled carpet often becomes the passport to an untidy atmosphere in the rooms. In a busy hotel, the carpets and mats should be subjected to a daily dose of vacuum cleaning, and in homes too, regular vacuuming is necessary to get dust-free carpets and mats. Supplementing vacuuming along walls and carpet edges, where soil tends to accumulate, is also needed. However, there are various chemicals available for carpet cleaning, but before using them, ensure that they are safe for their user and the environment around.

D u s t i n g t h e C e m e n t Industry

As far as industrial cleaning goes, the cement industry deserves a special focus. Cement industry in India is

popularly perceived as an industry which is prone to leave a residue of dirt and grime, which can have polluting influences. This popular perception, unlike in other cases, has a logical and empirical reason to support. The raw materials used in the cement industry comprises of bauxite, laterite, limestone, fly ash, gypsum, etc. which are very much dry and dusty in nature. They do have the potential to create work hazards among the employees.

In fact, dust is generated practically at every stage in the cement industry. Emissions, handling, drilling, b las t ing, quarr y ing, s p i l l a g e , l e a k a g e s , j amming, and e ven packing and dispatch of the cement from the plant involve the potential of generation of dust in the cement industry. During the crushing of coal and clinker, a heavy amount of dust is created. Although fugitive dust sources from the cement industry are non-toxic in nature, their nuisance value shouldn’t be understated. But thankfully, the scenario seems to be changing for the better. And for this, the introduction of new machineries with sophisticated technology, coupled with increasing awareness among the management and the workers should be given credit.

For example, the dry process technology has brought in higher productivity with better fuel utilisation. The dry process, which uses pre-heaters and pre-calciners, is preferable over the wet process,

both in economic and environmental terms. Here the energy consumption is approximately half that of the wet process.

In the recent years, the dust control technologies like electrostatic precipitators (ESP) and fabric filters have helped the cement industry to successfully grapple with the problem of particulate emissions, besides facil itating increased efficiency in the production process resulting from conversion of waste emissions. In addition, innovations like surface miners and electronic packing system have made their

own contribution towards reducing the menace of dust. The Indian cement industry need to install these efficient cleaning control devices in a big way and also properly operate and maintain these installations to achieve the intended levels of emission control.

Besides cement industry, the stone crushing units play a major role in generating industry induced dust pollution. The generation of dust in natural stone transformation plants

can lead to respiratory problems among the workers that, over a period of time, could seriously impair their physical health. One of the most affordable dust control systems for the quarrying industry can be a properly designed dust suppression system using water sprays, and enclosure of conveyors, screens and crushers. ■

Sep-Oct ’1136

PEST MANAGEMENT

The presence of pests in hospitals can be hazardous to the health of the patients, and detrimental to

the reputation of the management as well as the staff of the hospitals concerned. But in the backdrop of the dismal public healthcare system in India, the patients have managed to develop a singularly high level of tolerance towards the presence, or even the prevalence of pests in hospitals.

However, this is not to say that pests are only rampant in

the ramshackle government run healthcare facilities, for they are also very much present in many sophisticated high-end chains of private hospitals, whose healthcare is unfortunately afforded by few private individuals in India. More than the pests, this acceptance by the public to the presence of pests in hospitals is the worrying factor, for this casual nonchalance impedes the civil society from inducing the state to take adequate remedial actions to counter this potential health threat, which many a time hang over the heads of the patients like the sword of Damocles, and which many a time strikes or rather bites the patients, often dangerously.

We as a civil society must take a serious note of the fact that the pests often do have free access to the hospitals in India, which not only compromises the hygienic standards of the hospitals, but also does have the potential to breed new illnesses among the patients. The patients come to the hospitals to get cured, but the pests which have made hospitals their homes, can give them a new illness or compound their illness. For example, the risk of plague and/or malaria, if the sensitive environment of the hospital is infested with rats and mosquitoes, simply cannot be overstated.

Pest control in the Indian hospitals can be viewed among the topmost clean and hygiene concerns of our society. It must be undertaken by both the government and even the so called sleek private hospitals on a war footing, as pests can increase the vulnerability of the patients. The pest management in the hospitals should be proactive and not reactive in nature; it should be a continual process and not a temporary stop-gap arrangement or a one time affair; it should be focused, integrated and holistic, and not generic and basic in approach.

However, before undertaking pest control, we must develop a clear idea of pests and pesticides. By pests we are not only meaning mosquitoes, fl ies, rats, and a range of insects. The term pest can also cover weeds, fungi, bacteria and even viruses. Pesticides can be defined as any

Pestering Hospital

By Swarnendu Biswas

Hygiene

37Sep-Oct ’11

PEST MANAGEMENT

chemical substance or substances, which is/are used with the objective of eliminating, preventing, repelling or mitigating the pest menace.

An Integrated Approach It should be borne in mind that

pest control is not a task without its share of complexities. For attaining enduring results in hospital hygiene through pest management, one should not go for indiscriminate usage of pest control products. It is common knowledge that the rampant use of pesticides often does have negative impacts on the environment. The solutions and not the products are the keys to a holistic pest management process. An integrated approach to pest management , which involves inspection, identification, establishment of threshold levels, adequate control measures, and appraising the progress of pest control measures employed, can secure the health of the hospital and its human inmates from the

pest menace.Inspection process of integrated

pest management (IPM) involves a comprehensive evaluation of all the areas within and around the medical institution to be inspected. Inspection process should not only involve the wards and operation theatres, but should also include remote dumpsters, store rooms, ambulance bays, attics, basements, etc. which are often neglected.

Even those areas of the hospitals where pests are least expected should

also be inspected, for just because a given area is without any notable infestation of the pests, doesn’t mean it would remain always so. Moreover, the inspection process should not only involve detecting the pests, and finding which type or types of pests have made an entry into in and around the hospital premises, but should also explore how a particular pest has gained entry into the hospital.

If infestation by pests is traced upon inspection, the date and time

Sep-Oct ’1138

PEST MANAGEMENT

on which the infestation has been detected, and also the intensity of the infestation should be recorded. This facilitates in choosing the right mode of treatment. Inspection process should be followed by identification. Identifying the pest and knowing its habitat and lifecycle would help us better to chart the appropriate pest management solution to address the problem. For example, the pest control method to counter the threat of rodents may be different from that of countering the menace of mosquitoes.

The identification of pests should be followed by the determination of threshold levels. The threshold levels in the field of pest control can be determined as the level of infestation beyond which pest control measures need to be employed. For example, the presence of a few flies can be tolerated in the bathroom of a healthcare facility, but the same concentration of flies in the operation theatre of the same healthcare unit may not be tolerated. In the former case, the presence of some flies is within the threshold level, while in the latter case, the threshold level has been crossed, and pest control measures need to be employed.

The Right Control

The ideal control measure for any pest in the hospitals should take care of certain things. Firstly, it should involve no damage, or at the most, minimum possible affect to the sensitive environment of the hospitals and the health of their inmates and staff, where pest management practice has been employed. Besides that, the method of pest control measure being used should be simple and effective, and not cumbersome in nature. It should not disturb the

core and allied functions of the healthcare institutions, which are often of emergency nature. The pest management method should be cost-effective and sustainable over a period of time, and above all, must be successful in significantly reducing the presence of the targeted pest or pests from the hospitals.

Sometimes a l l the above-mentioned objectives may be achieved only with a multi-pronged approach to pest management. The control measures may range from ensuring something as basic as sanitation, to mechanical and chemical controls. Though sanitation should always be adhered to in the hospitals, the use of other control measures depend largely upon the nature of the pest problem.

Sanitation is the most basic of pest control measures, and its success reflects the truism behind the famous saying of ‘prevention is better than cure.’ In fact, sustained sanitation of hospitals can act as the perfect compliment in ensuring the effectiveness of other pest control measures. Sanitation of hospitals involves elimination of pest harborages, and their water and food sources, which will force the pests to leave. It also includes disinfecting floors and surfaces, which may have spillage of blood, urine, body wastes, etc, eliminating standing water or leakage sources, and proper disposal of solid waste and garbage.

The mechanical control measures include trap, seals or barriers, which help in catching the pests, or facilitate preventing pests from entering and developing habitat in a location, which may endanger human health. The mechanical measures and sanitation are and should be employed in homes and offices too, but in the healthcare facilities they often are the most preferred options in effectively controlling the prevalence or the incidence of pests.

Cultural control of the pests or altering the environment of the pests can also be employed to reduce or eliminate their menace. Cultural control measures in healthcare facilities may involve barring or discouraging the patients, visitors

and staff to bring in any food items, which may encourage the pest/s to breed and thrive. Succinctly, cultural control measures related to pest management involve manipulating the pest’s environment in such a way so that it becomes less conducive or less favourable to its existence.

The Chemical War on Pests The chemical control methods

should ideally be employed in hospitals, as well as in homes and offices, when all other pest control methods have failed. It should be the last resort in any integrated pest management programme. Specially, considering the sensitive nature of the environment of the healthcare institutions and facilities, the usage of pesticides in them should be done with great care.

The pesticides should only be used in those areas of the healthcare facilities, which are not that sensitive. Utmost care should be taken to ensure that the usage of pesticides is not jeopardising the health of the patients and staff in any way. However, great improvements in bait formulations have increased the pesticide use in hospitals. Areas which were hitherto off limits to pesticide usage are now being treated by employing chemical control measures.

Integrated pest management technique, which treats the pest problem with a holistic perspective and uses not only the appropriate method/s to address the problem but dwells into the history and the nature of the pest menace and its implications, is definitely better than the random usage of pesticides that acts without concern to the immediate environment.

However, its success rate can be further enhanced by conducting timely check-ups or appraisals of the success of the programme and conducting timely rectification or tightening of any loose ends associated with the programme. Besides that, the success of any IPM measure also increases if it takes into account the sensitivity of the local populace and assimilates other local considerations germane to the place where it is being introduced. ■

Sep-Oct ’1140

HYGIENE

The innocuous pigeons too are contributing to the environmental mess which we have put

ourselves into. Random pigeon droppings in and around our environs, households and facilities does create nuisance, which becomes a tedious task for the civic offi cials to clean on a regular basis.

However, pigeon droppings not only make for nuisance value and create an aesthetic challenge. These placid birds also lead to possible health risks for the human beings. Often a perched pigeon leads to the accumulation of feather and excretory droppings. The debris can cause airborne diseases. Even disturbing pigeon droppings by walking on them can cause possible

illness. A larger population of pigeon fl ock poses a greater health risk.

Pigeon—a Disease CarrierPigeons carry diseases, and that

is why they are often known as fl ying rats. Ornithosis, encephalitis, cryptococcosis, histoplasmosis, toxoplasmosis and salmonellosis are some of the diseases which can affect humans if they come in contact with pigeon excreta and dead pigeons.

Histoplasmosis, a fungal disease, is being contacted through airborne spores in pigeon droppings. If pigeons perch on the roof or terrace for some time, these spores can even infect the garden soil. The symptoms of this disease may range from mild infl uenza to blood abnormalities and fever, which may even culminate in

By Tapapriya Lahiri

Sep-Oct ’1140

Hazards From Pigeon

Droppings

41Sep-Oct ’11

HYGIENE

death. Here it deserves a mention that the

fungus which causes histoplasmosis, also grows in soils, and is found throughout the world. When cleaning pigeon droppings a person may breathe in some of the fungus, which in cases of high exposure can cause the said disease. However, common cleaning activities such as cleaning off windowsills, are not likely to result in high exposures.

Cryptococcosis infects the lungs of human beings and can cause acne-like ulcers on the skin. It is also a fungal disease, caused by a fungus named Cryptococcus neoformans. However, human beings are rarely affected by Cryptococcosis unless they have a compromised immune system. According to the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC), nearly 85 percent of cryptococcosis patients are found to be HIV-positive. Immune repressing drugs taken after transplants can also lead to the potential of catching Cryptococcosis, if the affected come in contact with pigeon droppings.

A Salmonella bacterium causes salmonellosis. Salmonellosis causes fever, diarrhea and stomach ache. In rare instances, pigeons can transmit toxoplasmosis, a disease particularly dangerous to expecting mothers. Flu-like symptoms are experienced with toxoplasmosis. Vision disturbances, eye redness and eye pain can also be experienced with this disease. Pigeons also cause Newcastle disease, which is a contagious viral bird disease. Newcastle disease can also cause minor fl u-like symptoms. Contact with infected pigeon droppings can also cause conjunctivitis.

Besides facilitating to induce virulent diseases, pigeons can cause damage to buildings and monuments due to the highly corrosive nature of acid in pigeon droppings. Perhaps the best method to counter the menace of pigeon droppings is to check their roosting and landing in the fi rst place.

Building, structure, monument, etc. can be protected by installing bird control stainless steel landing spikes. Pigeon spikes can be applied quickly and easily without causing harm to the birds. It’s an environmentally friendly, long lasting and virtually invisible technique to effectively address pigeon dropping induced diseases. Combine this with pigeon barrier nets, and you have a high degree of chance of preventing pigeon related problems and the high cost of their clean up operations, all the while reducing health and corrosion risks.

Overall, pigeon’s excreta is a huge issue in the hospitality industry. Maintaining a c lean and tidy property goes haywire when pigeons’ droppings spoil the aesthetics of the area concerned. This problem increases, when the stains of pigeon excreta refuse to go.

Bird Scare to Prevent Pigeon Mess

To combat the problem of pigeon poops and spits, Indolite Devices has introduced a solution named Bird Scare. The device is tailored to prevent pigeons from perching on the electric towers, transformers, ledges of building structures, parapets, signs, beams, chimneys, cutouts, security cameras, lights, etc., without

harming them in any way. Bird Scare can be construed as one of the most humane and effective bird repellent used for pigeon control or to prevent birds like crows, seagulls and other large birds from unwanted locations. The pattern of protruding spikes in Bird Scare makes it impossible for the pigeons to land on the buildings, encouraging them to go elsewhere without hurting them.

Bird Scare has a very easy installation process, involving no special training. Bird Scare spikes are simply glued onto any surface, like window, pipe or ledge where pigeon roosts. Their installation saves a lot of time and effort in maintaining the areas clean.

Maninder Singh, the General Manager of Indolite Devices, said, “To maintain the cleanliness of building premises we endeavour to embed pigeon spikes in offi ces, domestic households, etc. and these invisible spikes in no way damage the building. These spikes are invisible to the pigeons. Moreover, their installation charges do fi t the pocket of a wide range of buyers.” ■

41Sep-Oct ’11

Droppings

Sep-Oct ’1142

Marble Floor Polishing and Maintenance True Clean marble restoration company has innovative techniques to restore, treat, protect and highlight every kind of place made of natural stone, granite and marble. The places may be halls, malls, corridors and restrooms. This is the most reliable and efficient way; rather the traditional way of abrasion and crystallisation. The process takes care of the physical and chemical properties of each stone without generating any noise and dust. The company takes the annual maintenance contract for the hotels, clubs, malls and a wide gamut of commercial properties.

True Cleantruekleen@gmail.com

PRODUCT PREVIEW

Floor Washing MachineThe Wizard series of floor cleaners introduced by Roots Multiclean Limited are meant to meet the growing needs of comfortable, noise-free and safe way to clean the floors.

The equipment is compact and its hi-tech design enables operation under shelves, cots/tables and chairs. It comes with different brushes to suit different situations. The machine is provided with four-stage brush pressure adjustment device also.

Important features like pedal to secure for intact handle, easy manouverablity, the scrub-swab-wash-clean-dry facility make it an intelligent choice. The equipment comes in W34N, W34T, W34P and W24N models (different brush speed, motor rating, cleaning speed and brush speed) to suit specific organisational requirements. In short, it is a ‘mop + scrubber + water retrieval’ device.

Roots Multiclean Limitedrmclsales@roots.co.in

Wet/ Dry Vacuum Cleaner Cum Upholstery CleanerThe Model M26 is specially designed for car seats shampooing. It is having a solution tank. Through this the

solution or chemical can be sprayed on the car seats. Make the seats completely wet, rub the seats manually and then all the dirty water can be picked up.M26 is a perfect way for cleaning, washing and drying of any type of floor and upholstery, which includes kit-specific extraction accessories. At the same time, this machine works as wet and dry vacuum cleaner too thus making it equally

effective for wet / dry vacuum cleaning job.Aman Cleaning Equipments Pvt. Ltd.info@amancleaningequipments.com

Multifunctional Recess PanelAn uncluttered and clean washroom with all the necessary accessories is what everyone looks for as one enters it.

The multifunctional recess panel can be immensely useful in meeting this legitimate and yet exacting wish of the guests. Kinox-KMR 2N Multi-Functional Recess Panel and Kinox-KPD Multi-Functional Recess Panel of Euronics are two such useful products that can easily bestow a savvy and elegant aura to an otherwise cluttered washroom. Made of fabricated stainless steel with satin finish, both the products are designed to be durable and steady. The Kinox-KMR 2N Multi-Functional Recess Panel is equipped with a paper dispenser, auto hand dryer and a waste container. The paper towel panel of the recess panel can hold 800 multifold or c-fold paper towels. Operated by infrared

sensor, the auto hand dryer can quickly dry the hands. The removable waste container has a capacity of 16 litres. The Kinox-KPD Multi-Functional Recess Panel comes with a paper container of similar capacity, but with a waste container of double the capacity of Kinox-KMR 2N.

Euronics Industries info@euronics.co.in

Mosquito & Insect TrapCatchmaster is coming up with an innovative solution to tackle mosquitoes and various other flying insects, that create a menace. Named CATCH –ALL, this trap is unique, uses CO2, near ultraviolet rays and heat to lure mosquitoes and common nuisance garden insects & pests which are sucked in with the help of a fan and sent to a glue trap. It is suitable for application in indoors, at gardens, farms, factories, restaurants, hospitals, and at outdoors of homes, etc.

One unit of the product (250x250x350mm) has the capacity to cover an area of 66-165m2 and weighs only 2 Kg.

CATCH-ALL is an excellent monitoring tool for municipal areas, townships, cantonments, etc. for enabling control measures to prevent spread of diseases like dengue, encephalitis, malaria, etc. It is an ideal partner in pest management programmes.

Atlantic Paste & Glue Co., Inc.bakshin9257@sify.com

43Sep-Oct ’11

A D V E R T I S E R S I N D E X

AMAN CLEANING EQUIPMENTS PVT. LTD. ......................19

APPLIANCES EMPORIUM ......................21

ATLANTIC PASTE & GLUE CO., INC. ......................07

ARKIN SPECIALITIES PVT. LTD. ......................31

DIVERSEY INDIA PVT. LTD. ......................01

FINAL TECHNOLOGIES PVT. LTD. ......................29

FRESH AIR (INDIA) PVT. LTD. ......................17

HELPLINE FACILITY MANAGEMENT PVT. LTD. ......................06

IFB INDUSTRIES LTD. ......................09

KAM AVIDA ENVIRO ENGINEERS PVT. LTD. ......................15

KESHAV SECURITY SERVICES PVT. LTD. ......................10

KARCHER CLEANING SYSTEM PVT. LTD. ......................BC

MODERN PEST CONTROL ......................23

* BC - BACK COVER * GF-GATE FOLD * FIC - FRONT INSIDE COVER * BIC - BACK INSIDE COVER

COMPANY PAGE NO. COMPANY PAGE NO.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITYBUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

MYSTAIR HYGIENE CARE PVT. LTD. ......................FIC

NAVIN POLYCON ......................08

NUTECH JETTING EQUIPMENTS INDIA PVT. LTD. ......................GF

PEST CONTROL (INDIA) PVT. LTD. ......................05

PEST CONTROL M. WALSHE ......................37

QUARTZ HOME CARE (I) PVT. LTD. ......................04

SM ENTERPRISES ......................06

SATELLITE PLASTIC INDUSTRIES ......................25

SINTEX INDUSTRIES LIMITED ......................35

SNOOZER BEDDING LTD. ......................11

SUPESHINE LAUNDRY SYSTEMS PVT. LTD. ......................BIC

PRODUCT PREVIEW ......................42

Sep-Oct ’1144

INTERVIEW

By Sharmila Chand

Sep-Oct ’1144

How important in your opinion is housekeeping to hospitality?

Housekeeping is not only about establishing a hotel’s reputation for cleanliness, quality and upkeep. Actually housekeeping professionals should act more like ‘hosts,’ rather than just ‘room cleaners.’

If we were to get it wrong, the reputation and business of the hotel would suffer. We can say that it is vital to have a strong housekeeping department in the hotels, for the guests’ health, safety and comfort.

What is the modus operandi of housekeeping operations at your hotel?

It can be encapsulated in three words. They are train, delegate & monitor. These three guidelines help the housekeeping team at our hotel to work well and remain cohesive. The head of the team is supposed to be self-motivated, adaptable, and be an excellent team motivator and team builder as well.

What are the new trends in housekeeping?

They include personalising the guests’ stay experience, and introduction of new technology and innovation in materials and equipments, which has resulted in significant increase in the efficiency of housekeeping in the recent years.

Cleaning more thoroughly and more quickly by using fewer resources and achieving longer-lasting results from easier-to-manage equipments, which do not break down as quickly as the previous models is also another emerging trend in the Indian hospitality industry.

Another welcome trend in the realm of housekeeping is a better consciousness towards the eco-friendly efforts than before.

How in your opinion, modern t e c h n o l o g y h a s m a d e housekeeping operations much

easier than before?The modern technology and advancements

in electronic gadgets have helped us to better manage our work. Many of the older, heavier machines have been replaced with more advanced, easier to operate, one-step equipments. They not only make the job more pleasant, but also produce results that are evident almost instantly.

Housekeeping entails rigourous training. How much of an emphasis does your hotel place on this?

We as housekeeping professionals ensure to bring smiles on our guests’ faces, and in this context it is quite natural that we have an extremely reliable training and development process for our employees. We also train our housekeeping staff to nurture a good working relationship with other departments, such as reception and maintenance.

This exhaustive training helps in increasing the skills of our housekeeping employees and develops their information base and knowledge, thereby helping them to remain updated with the latest innovations in the fi eld of housekeeping.

How does India compare with the international scenario with regard to housekeeping?

Our housekeeping is defi nitely better because we offer services with our heart and soul. We do not function in a robotic manner. This goes with the character of our country’s perennial culture of hospitality, which is reflected in our modern day hospitality services.

What elements you take into account while recruiting staff in the housekeeping department?

One of the most important elements that is taken in to consideration while recruiting an individual for our housekeeping department

is his/her attitude towards his/her job, his/her willingness to adapt to the changing environment, and his/her physical appearance. As far as the job knowledge is concerned that can very well come along with training, which is being given to the employees.

What is the role of the housekeeping staff in the context of security?

Housekeeping professionals should ensure that guests’ belongings remain safe & secure in their rooms. Housekeeping staff, while working on the fl oors, should also make sure that there are no suspicious movement happening in their areas, which if unchecked can translate into something fatal at times.

Any other inputs you would like to give in context to housekeeping operations in your hotel?

At The Westin Pune Koregaon Park, we have a team of well-trained employees who understands guests’ needs and preferences. For example, if a guest is unwell, without even the guest asking for anything, we place extra mineral water bottles, along with a few toilet papers. This makes the guest feel good.

Besides this, we also have a dedicated team for all our long-stay guests. We have a very high percentage of regular guests with very specifi c requirements. We maintain guest history record, keeping note of every request and every comment they have made, so that we know just what they want.

What are the challenges you have to face while undertaking your day-to-day job responsibilities?

Housekeeping professionals can never sit back and relax when one task is satisfactorily completed. We need to meet the ever increasing and ever changing demands of our guests. This is a great challenge. However, I like to face the different challenges that come my way.

With more than a decade’s experience in the hospitality industry, Zulfiqar Ali, the Executive Housekeeper at The Westin Pune Koregaon Park, is a very committed housekeeping professional. A great team builder, Ali believes in open and mature leadership, by being a good guide and exuding warmth to all his associates.

Earlier, Ali has worked as the Executive Housekeeper with Taj Exotica Goa and Le Meridian Jaipur. The excerpts of the interview follow:

Striving to Evoke Guests’ Delight

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