Dust Control, Containment, and Removal
By David Frank

Dust is a major issue in our industry. Problems related to dust in the facilities we clean are among the five top complaints building service contractors (BSCs) receive from their customers.

But dust is a problem for more than just building service contractors; it is a major health issue for us all. According to a study by the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, there is a definite link between dust exposure in the workplace and respiratory problems including asthma, bronchitis, and other breathing disorders. These respiratory ailments result in increased health costs, absenteeism, and decreased productivity.

This study, which focused on almost 3,000 people over an 11-year period, found that nearly 30 percent of its participants were exposed to harmful amounts of dust at one time or another at their workplace. Approximately 20 percent reported incidences of respiratory problems and more than 14 percent reported problems with asthma.

Luckily, almost all dust removal—as much as 90 percent—can be handled by following daily as well as preventive maintenance programs that include the use of comprehensive matting systems, proper dust mopping equipment, and true-HEPA vacuum cleaners.

Preventative Position

It is estimated that as much as 85 percent of all soil entering a facility is tracked in on the feet of people walking into the building. Approximately 30 percent is deposited within the first three feet of a facility, while the remaining 70 percent is deposited over the next 25 feet.

Of the soil that is tracked in, 85 percent is dry soil, which can range from large particles to very fine dust, and the remainder is either liquid or oil based substances. A well-placed matting system can help prevent the bulk of this soil and dust from ever entering a facility, making it the vital first step in dust control and containment.

The use of matting systems is one of the most effective ways to contain dust and maintain healthier buildings. In fact, it is a key component of any Green Cleaning system, which is designed to keep buildings and occupants healthy while minimizing cleaning’s impact on the environment.

A comprehensive matting system includes employing the use of high-performance matting products. These systems feature the following:

• Advanced soil and moisture control. These mats are rubber reinforced and have a durable textile face. With a high performance matting system, soil and water are literally scraped off shoes and held by the mat away from foot traffic.
• Storing capabilities. Storing means that soil, water, and contaminants are stored in the mat until it is safe and convenient to remove them without harming the indoor environment. This is usually accomplished by using mats that have bi-level construction. These mats store soil below shoe level, preventing it from being transferred into a building—possibly the most important service an effective matting system of any kind can provide.
• Rubber reinforcement. A rubber-reinforced mat is an essential part of a matting system. Rubber will prevent contaminants from seeping through the mat onto the floor area below. This can prevent potential safety hazards—slipping, tripping, or falling—as well as prevent the tracking of contaminants into the indoor environment.

True-HEPA Vacuum Cleaners

When air samplings are performed in a building, among the contaminants discovered are pet dander, cat hair, minute fibers, paper, fecal matter, fungi, bacteria, and other harmful particulates that can trigger asthma or illness in children and building occupants. 

Many of these particulates eventually end up embedded in carpeting. Most of this can be removed by daily vacuuming, especially by using true-HEPA vacuum cleaners with three- or four-stage filtration systems. These vacuum cleaners pull dust and dirt into the vacuum cleaner, where they are held until disposed of.

Vacuum cleaning with a true-HEPA machine, such as Tornado’s CV30/38 or T12/1 canister, retrieves soil and safely traps harmful particles so that they are not reintroduced into the environment. This reduces risks to humans, and, along with matting systems and the proper use and care of dust mopping tools, is a critical ingredient in maintaining a healthy building.

The filtration levels on vacuum cleaners can range from none—a machine that just uses a bag to collect dust—to a very sophisticated system of filters that prevent pollen, dust, and other contaminants from escaping the machine’s exhaust, motor(s), or filter bag.

In addition, a true-HEPA vacuum cleaner is designed to prevent air, dust, or impurities from escaping the casing of the machine—with a true-HEPA machine, all airborne particulates pass through the HEPA filter and are deposited into the bag.

Savings for the BSC

A final step in dust control, containment, and removal in the facilities we clean includes scheduled interim maintenance and annual carpet extraction. Even with regular vacuuming using true-HEPA vacuum cleaners, the carpets will eventually need to be extracted to remove deeply embedded dust and debris. For the most part, carpets are cleaned as often as hard surface floors.  Depending on use, setting, climate, and other variables, carpets should be at least cleaned twice per year.

Taking all of these steps not only helps us keep the facilities we maintain clean and healthy, it helps the business operations of facility service professionals as well. This is because reducing dust cycles can result in major labor savings; a comprehensive dust containment will reduce labor related to dusting by 20-40 percent. Reducing dust also helps eliminate one of the major “complaint centers” in our industry and allows managers to devote more time to other services that keep the facilities they maintain healthy and productive work environments.

About David Frank

David Frank, president of Knowledgeworx, Highlands Ranch, CO,  is known as “the high impact speaker who motivates.” Every year he presents over 100 seminars specifically designed for the cleaning industry. He is a nationally recognized authority with over 25 years of experience in cleaning system design, motivation, leadership, facility management, indoor air quality and numerous other topics for cleaning organizations.

Frank is an active member of the International Sanitary Supply Association who has served on the Indoor Air Quality committees for the Carpet & Rug Institute and Underwriters Laboratories to establish standards for healthy building designs, cleaning standards, and environmental remediation. He brings a wealth of information, ideas, and knowledge that will take your organization to the next level of business development.  He may be reached at 303-906-1818.