Do You Have Problems Keeping Your Watercraft Free From Odor, Pests, Bacteria, Mold and Mildew?

 

For most people, boat cleanliness and maintenance is a huge problem. Boats are constantly exposed to water and other elements and are made with materials such as wood, carpeting, cushions, etc. These factors provide excellent food for mold growth and mildew. Even on boats that are operated in cold environments, parts of the hull become much colder than the warm, humid air you are comfortable with when on-board heating systems are used. This causes the warm, humid air from your breathing, cooking and dish washing to condense onto the cooler surfaces, essentially “watering” a mold colony like you would water a lawn or garden.

In addition to mold and mildew aboard your vessel, unwanted pests such as mice, rats and cockroaches may be using your boat as a temporary home for themselves, as they can feed off of organic matter on surfaces.  Once these pests have invaded your boat, their feces, urine and saliva can leave behind unsightly odors, stains or harmful bacteria that can be detrimental to you and your passenger’s health.

Some surfaces are designed to resist mold. Unfortunately, those surfaces are not manufactured to withstand the effects of accumulated sunscreen, dirt, residual soap and water. Wherever there is water, there is usually mold as well. And wherever there is organic residue, there is microbial growth. Even if you cover your boat’s seats, moisture can still penetrate them causing unsightly mold growth and stains that can be difficult to remove. Proper cleaning and care of your boat will pay off in the long run. Not only will you create a safe environment for your passengers, you will also ensure your boat is showroom ready if you decide to sell it. What’s more, it will cut down on expensive resurfacing jobs and help preserve the integrity of your boat for years to come.

The Solution?

The solution is to take a different approach to managing the environment throughout your watercraft and marina.

The first step in putting your company ahead of the competition and protecting your watercraft from bacteria, mold and mildew is to become an IASQ™ Certified Professional! With our one-of-a-kind Indoor Air and Surface Quality™ training, you can become knowledgeable in the IASQ™ Industry and offer Healthier Environments to promote safer, cleaner air and surfaces to your existing and future customers, as well as stay ahead of the competition by having access to the IASQ™ Certification Course 24/7! From here, you will have the knowledge and training you need to better manage your indoor environments by using unique antimicrobial technologies and cleaning techniques.

So What’s Next?

You see, protecting your watercraft from bacteria, mold and mildew is easier than ever with XMICROBE™ unique antimicrobial technology. Our XMICROBE™ Antimicrobial offers an antimicrobial protection that works every minute of every day with just one simple application and it’s affordable and long-lasting. XMICROBE™ Antimicrobial creates a durable bond to the surfaces of your watercraft preventing further growth, spreading of bacteria and hard to remove stains.  Protect your customers and employees and ease your mind as XMICROBE™ Antimicrobial works to control Microbial growth.

If you’re wondering how the XMICROBE™ Antimicrobial works, take a look!

Click Here for Animation!

XMICROBE™ Antimicrobial is an EPA registered revolutionary product. And it prevents the growth of an amazingly wide array of bacteria, mold, mildew, algae and yeast by acting like a bed of microscopic spikes that pierce and physically rupture the cell walls of microbes without the use of poisons. Since XMICROBE™ Antimicrobial’s methodology is mechanical instead of poisons, it does not create “Superbugs,” which are microbes that build up a resistance to treatment, and since each microscopic spike is only about 1000 the diameter of a human hair, they are too small to harm large cells in mammals. This is a totally new approach to providing long-lasting antimicrobial protection. What makes the XMICROBE™ Antimicrobial unique is its ability to create a strong bond with a multitude of surfaces (porous and nonporous), forming highly durable and protective coating.

Here’s the bottom line…

If you want a cleaner, healthier watercraft for your clients, employees, and yourself without relying on ineffective harsh toxic chemicals to keep the place clean, then you should look into XMICROBE™. Give us a call today at 888-558-5254 and take the first step towards a Healthier Environment!

Is Your Laundry Making You Sick?

Prevention -
By Celeste Perron

How to minimize germs, allergies, and other surprising ways doing the wash can affect your health

1. Empty the washer ASAP
Why: Protect against germs
Bacteria flourish in wet areas, so take clothes out within 30 minutes of a completed cycle; if they sit for an hour, rewash the load. But wouldn’t just-laundered clothes be germ free, you wonder? Not necessarily, says Charles Gerba, PhD, professor of environmental microbiology at the University of Arizona. These days, many people are trying to save energy and money by washing with cold water, but harmful bacteria can easily survive in it, explains Gerba, whose research found that 25% of home washing machines contain fecal bacteria. Although the strains of E. coli found were fairly harmless, their presence alone indicates that bacteria and viruses can linger on laundry, he says.

Though Gerba recommends using hot water to kill germs, cold is better for energy bills—and the planet. To help protect your family, don’t overload the washer, so detergent can penetrate all the fabric; and wash your hands after removing wet clothes so you don’t spread lingering germs. The dryer’s heat will kill most of the remaining bugs.

2. Wash undies alone
Why: Protect against germs
Not surprisingly, the primary source of fecal bacteria in a washer is underwear. It’s best to do underwear in a separate cycle, with hot water and regular or color-safe bleach, suggests Gerba. And once a week, run an empty cycle with only a cup of bleach. “That prevents bacteria from hanging out in the drum,” he adds.

3. Wash bedding in hot water
Why: Reduce allergens
Unsavory as it sounds, your sheets and pillowcases house legions of dust mites that dine on the skin cells you shed at night. Dust mites are the most common cause of year-round allergy symptoms. They live in clothes and carpeting, but their highest concentrations are in beds. To alleviate symptoms, it’s most important to wash your bedding weekly in hot water (set at a minimum of 130°F), says Robert Weitz, a microbiologist in Stamford, CT. “If you wash with cold or warm, you’re just giving them a nice swim,” he says. “And the dryer alone isn’t hot enough to kill them.”

4. Air out your washer
Why: Reduce allergens
Mold spores are always present in the air to some degree, but when they find a wet surface (say, the inside of a washer), they can settle in and multiply. Exposure to mold can cause congestion, itchy eyes, and wheezing; if you’re asthmatic or allergic, they can trigger an attack. To prevent mold from growing in your machine and then transferring to your clothes, when you finish your laundry, prop the door open to air it out and dry off any. Be extra diligent with front loaders—they use rubber gaskets to seal the water inside, and mold often grows on it, says Weitz. Another tip: “Buy HE, or high efficiency, detergent,” he adds. “It makes less suds than regular kinds, leaving behind less moisture.”

5. Ventilate the laundry room
Why: Reduce allergens
Moist heat from the dryer can keep humidity levels high, which creates ripe conditions for mold to grow. Leave a window open or turn on a fan when the dryer is running, and check dryer hoses. “If the vent to the outside comes loose, moisture can get trapped in the wall, and mold can grow,” says Weitz.

6. Choose unscented soaps
Why: Prevent irritated skin
You may love clothes that smell like flowers or fresh rain, but it takes a cocktail of chemicals to deliver that scent—chemicals that can irritate your skin, or worse. Researchers at the University of Washington analyzed a popular detergent and found that it emitted13 volatile organic compounds (VOCs), five of which are regulated as toxic or hazardous by the EPA. “Often, laundry products can contain hazardous chemicals such as neurotoxins and carcinogens,” says study author Anne Steinemann, PhD, professor of civil and environmental engineering and public affairs at the university. “Exposure to them can cause migraine headaches and asthma attacks.”

The kicker: Many of these chemicals aren’t related to the detergent’s cleansing agents but instead to the fragrances they’re scented with. It’s best to choose ones free of perfumes and dyes. “Unscented may mean a masking agent was used to cover up the detergent aroma, but harmful agents can remain,” says Steinemann. And according to her latest, yet-to-be published research, laundry detergents with natural or organic scents can be just as toxic as the regular ones.

7. Skip dryer sheets
Why: Prevent irritated skin
They emit chemicals also regulated as toxic and can cause breathing difficulties and irritated skin, says Steinemann; liquid fabric softeners can have the same effect. Instead of dryer sheets, try PVC-free plastic dryer balls—they help more air pass between clothes to cut down on static cling. As a softener, add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the rinse cycle of your wash.

Before and After XMICROBE™ Antimicrobial Treatment

XMICROBE™ Antimicrobial treated surfaces provide advanced protection against harmful biological contaminants such as: E.coli, Chlorella vulgarus, Salmonella, and just about any other bacteria, fungi, yeast, mold, dust and algae.

XMICROBE™

Long Lasting Germ Protection !

Dry Air Blamed For Flu Outbreaks

MSNBC.com -
By Emily Sohn

It’s one of the hallmarks of winter: The misery of being stuck in bed with the flu. Now, scientists are finally figuring out why the virus hits hardest in the wintertime and why some winters are worse than others.

Blame dry air.

Extremely low humidity levels in winter, according to new research, fuel influenza outbreaks. Particularly dry spells make the problem worse. The discovery might help scientists prepare for epidemics and for the rash of secondary illnesses, like pneumonia, that often slam people once they’re already down.

“It is the first step toward potentially forecasting the risk of influenza outbreaks,” said Jeffrey Shaman, an atmospheric scientist at Oregon State University in Corvallis. “By getting a handle on what’s going on with influenza, we are also getting a handle on the other diseases that really piggy back on influenza.”

To explain why flu and related illnesses strike far more often in the winter than at other times of year, theories have fallen into three categories. One idea is that people spend more time indoors in the winter and schools are in session, so there is more person-to-person contact.

Another theory is that, with less exposure to sunlight, people have lower levels of melatonin and vitamin D, weakening their immune systems and making them more likely to succumb to influenza viruses. Scientists have also hypothesized that temperature and humidity affect how long the virus can last after someone coughs or sneezes.

Previous research has shown that influenza viruses survive longer in air when temperatures are colder and relative humidity is lower. Relative humidity, which appears in many weather reports, describes how close conditions are to the point of forming fog or clouds.

But relative humidity isn’t the best measurement for studying flu outbreaks, Shaman said, because relative humidity varies with temperature. So, there is actually less moisture in the air on a rainy winter day in Seattle than there is on a sunny summer day in the same city.

He thought it would be more useful to look at absolute humidity, which measures exactly how much moisture is in the air, regardless of temperature.

On that scale, Shaman said, winters are usually twice as dry as summers in a place like San Diego and Arizona, four times drier in New York, and up to five times drier in a particularly cold state like Minnesota.

Along with colleagues, he analyzed 31 years of data from around the United States and used a computer model to show that influenza outbreaks were more likely to occur when absolute humidity levels were low. Like a sliding scale, progressively drier air led to progressively higher likelihood that an outbreak would occur, the researchers reported in the journal PLoS Biology. Temperature didn’t play much of a role.

“People had recognized that there was seasonality to this, but nobody has really come up with a unifying explanation,” said Gregory Poland, Director of the Mayo Clinic’s Vaccine Research Group in Rochester, Minn. Humidity, he said, “is likely is part of that unifying explanation.”

Humidity is probably not the only explanation, however, and the weather forecast will probably never serve as a flu forecast. Even in dry conditions, the virus needs to be hanging around, and people need to come into contact to spread it. Still, any insight into what drives epidemics is a step toward saving lives.

When absolute humidity is low, for example, local hospitals could start stockpiling anti-viral medications and other supplies, and they could increase moisture levels in patient rooms.

Humidifying your home could help, too, but moist air alone is not the answer, Shaman said.

“The best defense against influenza remains vaccination. That can’t be stressed enough,” he said. “I would never suggest anyone forgo that to go out and buy a humidifier.”

XMICROBE™ Mode of Action

 

XMICROBE™

Long Lasting Germ Protection !

XMICROBE™ – A Greener Approach to Extended Sanitization

BioShield Services, LLC has developed a technology centered around XMICROBE™ a silicone quaternary ammonium salt microbiostatic agent which provides a durable, long acting, environmental friendly surface protection. While there are no “green” disinfectants, XMICROBE™ supports many of the twelve principles of green chemistry as defined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)1.

The following specifics relate to those principles which apply to the use of XMICROBE™ and are identified using the numbers and headings from the USEPA list:

Prevention:

XMICROBE™ is applied as a spray and generates no excess solutions which must be disposed of. Remaining solution is stable and may be stored for use in the next application.

Designing Safer Chemicals:

Upon application, XMICROBE™ bonds first to the surface and then to itself through its cohesive bonding properties forming a large co-polymer compound. The special bonding abilities of XMICROBE™ can be attributed to its multifunctional bonding receptors. Each bonding site, on the surfaces that are treated or the cell membrane’s receptor proteins, are easily adhered to because XMICROBE™ contains a variety of complimentary binding proteins. The multivariate bonding combinations make XMICROBE™ an excellent combatant for treating surfaces against both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria, molds, yeast, mildew, and algae. It is extremely effective in destroying Staph, MRSA, E. coli, Salmonella and Influenza A. Once bonded XMICROBE™ immediately begins its assault against microbes using long protein chains which are synthesized from highly reactive, positively charged “R” group amino acids. It is because of the charged “R” group that XMICROBE™ has the ability to bond to a wide diversity of negatively charged, infectious and potentially fast spreading micro organisms. Because the bonds formed between XMICROBE™ and the microbes are covalent bonds the strength of the bond has no dislodgeable residue leaching, off-gassing migration or diffusion of the molecule. Once the bond has been established the length and reactivity of the molecular proteins spikes work quickly and effectively in eliminating the micro organism threat. The methodology is mechanical in nature preventing any creation of resistant strains or toxic residues. Normal cleaning removes any dirt, residue or dead organisms allowing the efficacy of the polymer surface to continue.

Safer Solvents and Auxiliaries:

XMICROBE™ continues to hold its bond even after the annihilation of the micro organism which has a twofold benefit. One, since the covalent bond between XMICROBE™ and the unwanted organism is never compromised, the possibility of latent pieces of microbial DNA being taken up and integrated into a host cell’s genetic code is virtually impossible. Two, due to the positive-to-negative charged bonds, the reactive “R” groups of the proteins are rendered impotent eliminating the possibility of XMICROBE™ rendering to another surface.

Water is the only solvent used for dilution of the XMICROBE™ concentrate to the desired application strength.

Design for Degradation:

The resultant polymer surface is durable and tightly bonded to the surface to which it is applied. Any breakdown material is non-toxic and is removed by normal periodic cleaning. Due to the chemical structure of the ammonium salt the compound renders itself harmless by simple decomposition, leaving behind no harmful residue or lingering byproducts.

Inherently Safer Chemistry for Accident Prevention:

The XMICROBE™ concentrate is classed as a pesticide by USEPA and normal precautionary handling is required. There are no carcinogens in the compound. It is non-flammable, stable under normal conditions and is not subject to hazardous polymerization. In the event of accidental spill, the solution can be deactivated by addition of an anionic surfactant or detergent.

The XMICROBE™ material when used by or according to a certified technician of the Healthier Environment Living Program™ (HELP) provides affordable, long lasting antimicrobial protection. This protection can by monitored and managed through ongoing Indoor Air and Surface Quality testing provided by HELP. View more information on www.HealthierPrograms.com or call 888-558-5254.

Erik J. Waters

Independent Microbiologist

December 2009

XMICROBE™

Long Lasting Germ Protection !

Poison (Chemicals) vs. Mechanical Elimination

Conventional products penetrate living cells and kill by way of poisoning or chemically altering the organism. They are designed to act quickly and dissipate quickly to avoid adverse effects to humans and animals due to their toxic ingredients. (The XMICROBE™ Antimicrobial Does Not) 

Most commercial antimicrobials used for treating building surfaces do a great job of getting a quick kill on bacteria and fungi, although most have a limited spectrum of effectiveness. (XMICROBE™ Antimicrobial Has A Broad Spectrum Of Effectiveness) 

Heavy metal based antimicrobials, such as silver ion may leach into the environment and lose their effectiveness over time. (The XMICROBE™ Antimicrobial Is Water Based That Won’t harm The Environment) 

Here’s The Big Difference… 

XMICROBE™ Antimicrobial takes a totally unique approach. It provides long-term control of growth on treated surfaces because the surface itself is modified to make it antimicrobial active. 

The active ingredient in the XMICROBE™ Antimicrobial forms a colorless, odorless, positively charged polymer, which chemically bonds to the treated surface. You could think of it as a layer of electrically charged swords. 

When a microorganism comes in contact with the treated surface, the sword punctures the cell membrane and the electrical charge shocks the cell. Since nothing is transferred to the now dead cell, the anti-microbial doesn’t lose strength and the sword is ready for the next cell to contact it. 

XMICROBE™ Antimicrobial protection continuously fights the growth of microbes. Plus, the XMICROBE™ Antimicrobial protection makes the surfaces in your home easier to clean and keeps them cleaner and fresher between cleanings. 

XMICROBE™ Antimicrobial has undergone extensive independent laboratory testing and has a long 35 year history of safe use. It is registered with the EPA for all applications in which it is used.

XMICROBE™

Long Lasting Germ Protection !

A Look at XMICROBE™

As you can see to the left, XMICROBE™ Antimicrobial works like a bed of nails to draw and impale microbes. 

XMICROBE™ Antimicrobial is an EPA Registered revolutionary product. XMICROBE™ Antimicrobial prevents the growth of an amazingly wide array of bacteria, mold, mildew, algae and yeast.

XMICROBE™ Antimicrobial acts like a bed of microscopic spikes that pierce the cell walls of microbes.

XMICROBE™ Antimicrobial is a totally new approach to providing long lasting anti-microbial protection.

XMICROBE™

Long Lasting Germ Protection !

Allergens In Your Home May Be Making You Sick

MIAMI (CBS4) -

As we enter the “dog days of summer” many people will find their eyes are itching more, their nose is running and they can’t seem to stop sneezing.

Doctors say the most likely culprit is outdoor allergies. But another factor that could be what setting off the allergic reactions is indoors allergens. Looking room by room, potential problems are everywhere.

For example in the living room, the sofa, pillows and the kids’ stuffed toys all can harbor dust mites and pet hair.

“The idea is that it’s carried on guests who come to the home and gets deposited,” said allergist David Nash.

Another factor is the damp soil around house plants which is a recipe for mold.

“There’s probably moisture underneath that flower pot, and there may be mold growth,” said allergist David Skoner.

People who are susceptible to indoor allergens should vacuum the furniture at least once a week. Tumble toys and throws in the dryer for 15 minutes because the hot, dry air kills the mites. Also, keep plants off the carpets and away from curtains.

In the kitchen, the refrigerator door seal and cooking steam are easy to over look. A bleach and water solution will keep mold at bay on the cupboards, walls, ceiling, and door seal. The exhaust fan will also get the moisture out.

In the laundry room, mold can grow in damp, unwashed clothes as well as clean ones left in the washer for more than a few hours.

In the bathroom, pick a bath mat that can be washed. Bath mats should be picked up every time they’re used, and hung over an area where there’s air circulating all around them on both sides, to dry off.

In the bedroom dust mites love those warm pillows

“What people are allergic to is actually not the mite, but their waste matter,” said Skoner.

Frequent dusting and vacuuming, getting shelves out of the bedroom all together, and using tight woven allergy-proof pillow covers can help.

And even hairless pets can pose an allergy threat.

“We’ve been telling people maybe if you have allergies it might not be good to have a furry pet.
Well, many of them do go out and get fish tanks. And I think fish tanks can certainly serve as a source of excess humidity and mold growth,” said Nash.

But before you go overboard chasing mold and dust bunnies, cleaning may not eliminate it all.
To control symptoms, some people may also need medications or allergy shots. Combining treatments and cleaning, most people will see improvement in a few weeks. For some, however, it may take 6 months or longer to feel any better.

Simple Household Improvements to Ward Off Mold

MoldSpot.com -

Some homes we are living in now were built years before codes required ventilation fans or windows in bathrooms, or before the reality of what mold can do to a home was known.  Nowadays, there are frequent news programs featuring homes with rampant mold, not all of which were destroyed through a natural disaster such as flooding.  Mold can grow even in dry areas of the country, so long as there is moisture inside the home and mold spores in the air. 

While it is impossible to eliminate all spores from the outside air, it is possible to keep them from growing into a troublesome problem when they make their way indoors.  The following are a few simple household improvements that homeowners can make too ensure that mold does not develop because of excess moisture in the air.  Regardless of how old or new a home is, a few economical changes can mean the difference between being mold-free, and having an expensive and time-consuming clean up project on your hands.

• Ventilate with hosing and exhaust fans:  Moisture from appliances needs to be properly directed to the outdoors, including clothes dryers and oven exhaust fans.  Old ventilation should be checked regularly to ensure there are no leaks allowing moisture to remain trapped indoors.  Installing exhaust fans in the bathroom, kitchen, or laundry room is an quick and efficient way to eliminate excess moisture from any room.  This is especially important in rooms without windows.

• Install appropriate drainage: All appliances and fixtures that use plumbing will need to be checked for appropriate drainage, including the dishwasher, toilets, sinks, and washing machines.  In the absence of reliable drainage, hosing will need to be installed to keep the moisture out of the air and draining properly.  Appropriate drainage also needs to be installed on gutters as well, as an overgrowth of outdoor mold can mean problems indoors.

• Replace outdated HVAC systems:  Old HVAC systems may have leakages and dirty or wet drip pans.  They may be beyond a little repair and replacing outdated systems will more efficiently heat and cool your home, as well as reduce the allergens and mold spores that are introduced into your home.  By doing a thorough check of the HVAC system, homeowners can prepare for a humid summer (and increase in mold) by replacing that inefficient system with a clean and moisture-free one.

• Keep landscaping tidy and properly graded: Mold spores that develop into unsightly mold come from the outdoors.  By keeping landscaping in order, homeowners can greatly reduce the mold growing outside there home, which in turns greatly decreases the mold spores that reach the indoors.  Cleaning out gutters, properly grading the land, and checking regularly for proper drainage of water will reduce the chances of outdoor mold, as well as water problems on the foundation or roof, which can lead to indoor mold.

With a few simple home improvements and preventative measures, homeowners can ensure that the inside and outside of their home remains free of troublesome mold.  Once mold has infiltrated wall and flooring surfaces, it is harder to kill and remove than it would have been to check for proper ventilation and drainage.