Bacteria

Bacteria is one of the things people aren't as aware of as they should be. Mold can make you sick but bacteria can kill. It's a major health risk.

We are aware of some types bacteria from news sources and outbreaks such as: Salmonella, E. coli and Staphylococcus. There are ways to identify bacteria quickly and other ways to perform speciation cultures through laboratories.

Green Foundation performs testing with various operations, sends the swabs, labs grow cultures and identify the type of bacteria found.

Recent Case Study of a Michigan Trauma Center

Green Foundation had the opportunity to help out at a Michigan Trauma Center where there had been a plumbing back-up. The center had called a remediation company to clean and disinfect the area. Green Foundation was called by the center to ensure proper thoroughness of the cleaning operation had been followed. We visually inspected the cleaning procedures, inspected, and clinically tested the environment to ensure it was safe for reentry/reoccupation of the living space.

The cleaning was completed by the remediation company and visual inspection of the impacted area revealed no immediate areas of concern.

Five bacteria tests were administered in various locations such as floors and wall spaces. The testing verified that the area had been effectively cleaned and remediated. We took additional air sampling to ensure that the cleaning remediation didn't create other issues, especially to the children's living area. These samples were sent to a certified lab for analysis. Lab results verified the area was safe for reoccupation.

During casual discussion members of the remediation company it was mentioned that as a courtesy the baby high chairs had also been cleaned. Green Foundation tested the high chair surfaces and found bacteria levels which exceeded the normal safe bacteria levels by 40 times. The remediation company re-cleaned the high chairs and we tested again. We found the levels still exceeded the safe standard levels. The remediation company was requested to perform a more in-depth cleaning process and use products that would sustain a lower bacteria level over time.

Eco-Friendly Tips

Water Saving Tips

   In the bathroom

If you take a five-minute shower instead of a bath, you save about 15 gallons per shower.

Install a low-flow showerhead to reduce water use by 50% or more. You'll save about 3 gallons per minute per shower.

Install an ultra-low flush toilet which uses 1.6 gallons of water per flush rather than 6 gallons per flush. You'll save almost 4 gallons per flush.

Install a low-flow aerator faucet to replace older models and save 2.5 gallons per minute per person.