The threat of coronavirus has us all washing, spraying, and wiping constantly to keep COVID-19 at bay, never really knowing if we have effectively killed it or other harmful pathogens that lurk on our light switches, doorknobs and counter tops. With so many products and companies guaranteeing clean, how do you really know what’s been wiped away?
Gauging cleanliness is too often subjective and based on unscientific methods. Just because a surface looks clean, doesn’t mean it is. Bacteria, viruses, molds, and other harmful pathogens are invisible to the naked eye. Using appropriate cleaning and disinfecting methods, paired with an efficient way of measuring cleanliness, ensures effectiveness and peace of mind.
For years, Carpet Tech has taken seriously the science behind the sanitation. Our fully trained Bio-Tech team uses their knowledge and the equipment to clean and sanitize and area, reducing health risks for homeowners and businesses. And now, Carpet Tech is able to measure clean using ATP Monitoring. ATP Monitoring allows our IICRC certified and trained technicians to measure and evaluate contaminants on a surface before and after cleaning and disinfection.
HOW IT WORKS
Our technicians will take a sample using a special swab and then inserting into the ATP meter. A numerical value is returned and allows us to measure cleanliness based on pre-defined ranges of values. This provides a quick, easy, and scientific method to determine if a surface is clean and free of bacteria.
ATP (Adenosine Tri-Phosphate) is an energy molecule that is present in all living cells. If it is alive or was once alive, it contains ATP. This includes animal cells (dust, oils), plant cells (soils, oils), and bacterial cells (bacteria, viruses). For this reason, a measurement of ATP correlates to a measurement of how clean a surface is. The less ATP, the less soil and contaminants, and the cleaner the surface is. An ATP meter works by measuring the light produced from a reaction between ATP and an enzyme, luciferase. This enzyme is found in fireflies and is what causes them to light up. This enzyme reacts with ATP in the sample swab, produces a small amount of light invisible to the naked eye, and is read by the ATP meter.
THE VALUE OF CLEAN
ATP Monitoring can be useful in any facility to reduce illness and contagion and to develop a clean standard for facilities as part of a larger disinfecting protocol. It is important to measure the cleanliness of any facility, to ensure that it is being cleaned properly, and to keep the building healthy and safe for all who enter it.
Carpet Tech has been cleaning, disinfecting and deodorizing homes as well as commercial, industrial and governmental buildings for more than two decades. Carpet Tech has the proper equipment, training, and licenses for biohazard clean up. They are also 100% OSHA compliant to clean biohazard materials and restore the property. Carpet Tech trained technicians are certified by the IICRC and use special truck-mounted equipment that allows us to clean using a hot water extraction method. All of Carpet Tech’s chemicals and processes are EPA approved.