Archive for March, 2010

Packaging Supplies Michigan – Amerisource Industrial Supply

Regular Slotted Carton (RSC)

Also called shipping boxes, RSCs are the most commonly used boxes. They are usually kraft brown in color, have four flaps on the top and bottom and the side walls are sealed at one corner known as the “Manufacturer’s Joint.” This design is highly functional for most packing applications.

Multiple-Depth Carton (MDC)

The same box design as an RSC, but with horizontal scores (creases) at selected depths along all four side walls. This feature gives you depth flexibility when packing a box. A Multiple-Depth Carton can be several boxes in one.

Half Slotted Carton (HSC)

A variation of the RSC, the Half Slotted Carton has only one set of flaps. The opposite side of the box is completely open, allowing it to slide over an item. Envision the use of the box turned over so that the flaps are on the top. The covered item is usually attached to a pallet or other type of surface that serves as a separate bottom.

Full Overlap Slotted Carton (FOL)

With a Full Overlap Slotted Carton, all “length” flaps are also equal to the width of the box. The flaps actually fold over one another to provide added strength and protection to the top and bottom.

Five-Panel Folder (FPF)

A Five-Panel Folder actually resembles a shallow-depth box when assembled. It is a one-piece box with an over-lapping top and over-lapping end panels. The functional design is also economical.

Snap-Bottom Carton (SBC)

Available with tuck-in top or with RSC-style top flaps (shown). Also referred to as an “auto bottom” box. The bottom of the box snaps into place without tape for quick assembly. Best suited for light-weight products.

Full Telescope Design Carton (FTD)

A two-piece box with a separate lid that fits over a bottom tray.

Half Telescope Design Carton (HTD)

Two half-slotted cartons with one box slightly smaller to enable it to be inserted into the other box. Offers the ability to adjust the height or length of the box to fit your needs. Especially suitable for large, heavy items. For depth flexibility with smaller items, visit the multi-depth box section of this web site.

Two-Piece Carton With Separate Lid (CSL)

Die-cut box with open top and tray-style lid. Similar to a File Storage Box, but without the hand holes on either end. See file storage box section of this Web Site if you are looking for a box to store paper files.

Double Cover Carton (DC)

One-Piece Folder (OPF)

Mailer-Style Boxes (MSB)

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Packaging Supplies Michigan – Amerisource Industrial Supply

Edge Crush Test (ECT) measures the stacking strength of corrugated cardboard boxes or fiberboard. Determining a finished box’s compression strength is defined by the amount of force that is needed to crush cardboard by standing it on its edge. This test is also measured in lbs per square inch. For example, a box with an ect 32 lbs per square inch indicates that the board, standing on edge, can withstand a force of 32 lbs per square inch before crushing.

Think about the movement of your boxes during transportation. At some point during a move it is likely your boxes will be stacked on a pallet, in a container or in the back of a truck. Yes, stacking is the key concept behind ect. Know the strength of your corrugated cardboard boxes before stacking.

 -ECT = distribution & transportation of boxes and their stacking strength.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Packaging Supplies Michigan – Amerisource Industrial Supply

Box Structure

Corrugated fiberboard, or combined board, has two main components: the linerboard and the medium. Both are made of a special kind of heavy paper called containerboard. Linerboard is the flat facing that adheres to the medium. The medium is the wavy, fluted paper in between the liners.. 

The following illustrations demonstrate four types of combined board.

Single Face: One medium is glued to one flat sheet of linerboard.
Single Wall: The medium is between two sheets of linerboard. Also known as Double Face.
Double Wall: Threesheets of linerboard with two mediums in between.
Triple Wall: Four sheets of linerboard with three mediums in between.

Flutes

Architects have known for thousands of years that an arch with the proper curve is the strongest way to span a given space. The inventors of corrugated fiberboard applied this same principle to paperwhen they put arches in the corrugated medium. These arches are known as flutes and when anchored to the linerboard with a starch-based adhesive, they resist bending and pressure from all directions. 

 When a piece of combined board is placed on its end, the arches form rigid columns, capable of supporting a great deal of weight. When pressure is applied to the side of the board, the space in between the flutes acts as a cushion to protect the container’s contents. The flutes also serve as an insulator, providing some product protection from sudden temperature changes. At the same time, the vertical linerboard provides more strength and protects the flutes from damage. 

 Flutes come in several standard shapes or flute profiles (A, B, C, E, F, etc.). A-flute was the first to be developed and is the largest common flute profile. B-flute was next and is much smaller. C-flute followed and is between A and B in size. E-flute is smaller than B and F-flute is smaller yet. 

In addition to these five most common profiles, new flute profiles, both larger and smaller than those listed here, are being created for more specialized boards. Generally, larger flute profiles deliver greater vertical compression strength and cushioning. Smaller flute profiles provide enhanced structural and graphics capabilities for primary (retail) packaging. 

Different flute profiles can be combined in one piece of combined board. For instance, in a triple wall board, one layer of medium might be A-flute while the other two layers may be C-flute. Mixing flute profiles in this way allows designers to manipulate the compression strength, cushioning strength and total thickness of the combined board. 

Standard US Corrugated Flutes

Box Dimensions

Dimensions are given in the sequence of length, width and depth. Internationally, the words length, breadth and height may be used to express these dimensions. The dimensions of a box are described based on the opening of an assembled box, which can be located on the top or the side, depending on how it is to be filled. The opening of a box is a rectangle; that is, it has two sets of parallel sides. The longer of the two sides is considered its length, the shorter of the two sides is considered its width. The side perpendicular to length and width is considered the depth of the box. 

Dimensions can be specified for either the inside or the outside of the box. Accurate inside dimensions must be determined to ensure the proper fit for the product being shipped or stored. At the same time, palletizing and distributing the boxes depends on the outside dimensions. The box manufacturer should be informed as to which dimension is most important to the customer. 

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Janitorial Supplies Michigan – Amerisource Industrial Supply

Author: Dr. Allison Aiello, Tork® Green Hygiene Council™ member and assistant professor of epidemiology at the University of Michigan

Leading infectious disease expert, Dr. Allison Aiello, has devoted her career to discovering new ways to lessen the spread of germs and deadly infections. An Assistant Professor of Epidemiology at the University of Michigan-School of Public Health and member of the Tork® Green Hygiene Council™, her research focuses on infection control and hygiene intervention in the community and clinical settings. Here she clears up the confusion about the spread of H1N1 and seasonal influenza and provides best practice information for staying healthy.

With all the differing information available about H1N1 and seasonal influenza, it’s no wonder the average person is confused about the cause of theses viruses and how best to prevent contamination. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) up to 40 percent of Americans could be infected with H1N1 through 2010, causing a major health pandemic. Shockingly, a new Harris poll, commissioned by SCA Tissue North America’s Tork® brand reveals that 74 percent of U.S. adults say it is unlikely they will contract the virus this year.

This new study highlights widespread confusion about the cause of the H1N1 virus and the preventative methods associated with it. According to the study, 50 percent of U.S. adults are confident they could protect themselves from contracting the virus. Yet, more than one-third (38 percent) say they won’t be washing their hands more frequently this flu season and almost half (48 percent) are not planning to take advantage of available flu shots.

These results are staggering as handwashing and vaccinations are two of the most effective ways to protect one self from infectious diseases like H1N1. Americans aren’t sure where to turn or what to do to protect themselves from the flu. It’s time to get back to the basics with proper hand hygiene and surface cleaning as well as seeking out vaccinations to prevent the spread of H1N1, seasonal influenza and other infectious diseases.

The ABC’s of H1N1 and Season Influenza Prevention It does not take a lot of extra time or effort to stay healthy this flu season and beyond. In fact, it’s as easy as A, B, C.

Always wash your hands

The best method to prevent the virus’s spread is to wash hands often. Studies show that proper handwashing techniques result in a 21 percent reduction in respiratory illness and a 31 percent reduction in gastrointestinal illness. Yet, more than 80 percent of Americans are not washing their hands properly.

Hands are full of surfaces that can be difficult to reach, which means that many tend to forget certain parts. When using a public washroom, handwashing should take as long as singing “Happy Birthday” twice. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

• Wet hands with clean warm water.
• Apply soap.
• Rub hands together vigorously and scrub all surfaces for 20 seconds. Remember to wash both thumbs as thumbs are quite often skipped in the handwashing process.
• Make sure to wash under nails, watches and jewelry since millions of germs gather there.
• Rinse with clean water
• When away from home, a single-use paper towel ensures that hands can be completely dried and virtually germ free.
• Since hands are to be washed frequently, use mild and gentle soaps.

Drying hands properly and using paper towels to turn off the faucet and open the door in public restrooms are also key steps to protecting yourself from infection.

Be sure to get your vaccinations

Medical experts agree that vaccinations can be a crucial step in protecting yourself from the H1N1 and seasonal flu viruses. If your place of employment does not offer a vaccination program then make an appointment to visit your family practitioner or healthcare provider. Most insurance companies will cover part or all of the costs associated with seasonal flu vaccinations. Call your insurance company to inquire about coverage before obtaining these vaccinations.

Cleaning is key

H1N1 has led to an increased focus on how everyday hygiene affects our health. Not only is more attention given to managing personal hygiene, but a new cleaning logic has emerged, where wiping down the door knob an extra time each day is considered more important than picking up the dust in the corner.

While proper handwashing and drying is one of the most important ways to reduce the risk of contracting and spreading the flu virus, it is equally important to keep common objects and surfaces clean. The influenza virus can survive on surfaces for up to eight hours and may spread when a person touches droplets, left by hands, coughs or sneezes, on hard surfaces or objects and then touches his or her mouth or nose.

Single-use products, such as paper towels or disposable cloths, minimize the risk of germs from a contaminated object being passed on to another surface. And remember, the dryer, the safer. When washing areas like the kitchen, use a highlight absorbent paper afterwards to get surfaces really dry.

Staying healthy doesn’t mean major lifestyle changes during the flu season. Just remember the A,B,Cs of infectious disease prevention to keep you and your family safe and healthy. Following these basic preventative measures will drastically reduce the risk of infection.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Safety Supplies Michigan – Amerisource Industrial Supply

WORKER SAFETY: LEAD YOUR EMPLOYEES TO WATER AND URGE THEM TO DRINK!

WHILE IT MAY HAVE NO IMMEDIATELY VISIBLE OUTWARD SIGNS, DEHYDRATION CONTRIBUTES TO LOWER PERFORMANCE AND DECREASED WORKPLACE SAFETY.

 Some days are just better than others… you feel better, have more energy, think more clearly and you just don’t sweat the small stuff. We’ve all had days like that and we’d like to have more. What creates the positive feeling that leads to a super day? It’s probably mostly our attitude, maybe a good night’s sleep or a positive occurrence early in the day that sets the tone for the ensuing hours. You feel like you can conquer the world… and, generally you can! Enhanced performance comes easy on those days.

 There’s a growing body of evidence that strongly suggests that one of the more significant contributors to our “good days” is our personal state of hydration. When the human body is properly hydrated, mental acuity, focus and energy levels are all at optimal levels. Our challenge as managers is to understand that dehydration has few apparent symptoms. Diminished performance may be the first clue of dehydration, but it might be attributed to other causes.

 Assuring that you and your employees understand the personal signs of dehydration and the effects it can have on performance and safety is vital to maintaining a productive workforce. By making hydration facilities accessible to everyone during their workday, you are providing an essential tool for health maintenance. To paraphrase an old saying, “Lead your employees to water and urge them to drink!”

 WHAT IS DEHYDRATION?

The human body is nearly 60% water by weight. That means a 180-pound person would consist of 108 pounds in water weight alone. This is a remarkable amount of water and losing just a small amount can have devastating effects. Dehydration occurs when a person takes in substantially less fluid than they have lost. An average of 2.5 liters of water is lost each day just through normal body processes.

Typically water is lost through urination, respiration and sweating. Fluid loss can be amplified significantly if health issues result in vomiting or diarrhea. In these cases dehydration is likely to occur because fluids are usually not replenished right away. A big problem with dehydration is that it can occur without us being aware. If you are feeling thirsty, you are likely already in some state of dehydration. The thirst sensation often presents after you have reached a dehydrated condition. So while thirst is an indicator that you need to drink something, it is likely you are already somewhat dehydrated.

What happens when we become dehydrated?

Studies have shown that dehydration can have a major impact on physical and mental performance. There is substantial data that suggests even mild cases of dehydration can have a significant impact on cognitive and physical ability. It is believed that a loss of 2-3% of total body water can result in as much as a 20% decrease in energy levels. It has also been shown that dehydration can be directly correlated to a diminished ability to concentrate.

 WHILE IT MAY HAVE NO IMMEDIATELY VISIBLE OUTWARD SIGNS, DEHYDRATION CONTRIBUTES TO LOWER PERFORMANCE AND DECREASED WORKPLACE SAFETY.

 Concentration in the workplace is paramount, especially in jobs where people are working in dangerous environments, or with potentially dangerous tools. Recent studies have shown that as we become dehydrated our ability to focus diminishes, memorization becomes more difficult and hand-eye coordination decreases. It is not difficult to see how debilitating dehydration can be on workers. Another detrimental effect of dehydration is that of perceived effort. Perceived effort is the effort that a worker feels it takes to perform a given task. In states of dehydration, perceived effort increases. This means that two workers can perform the same tasks, but the one who is dehydrated will perceive the work to be much more arduous than the person that is well hydrated.

This perceived effort could lead to over-exertion and in thermally challenging environments possible heat related illness. This can have significant implications in the workplace. It is imperative that we safeguard our employees by giving them adequate access to clean, pure water. The signs of dehydration can be fairly evident, if we know what we are looking for and which questions to ask.

 Signs and symptoms of dehydration include:

• Headaches
• Becoming easily irritated
• Feeling fatigued
• Having a dry mouth or feeling thirsty
• Dry or cracked lips
• Feeling intolerant of heat
• Having flushed skin
• Medium to dark urination
• Feeling light-headed
• Dry skin

 What if a worker is found to be dehydrated in the field?

The first thing is to get the worker water immediately and then seek professional help. In severe cases, oral rehydration therapy (ORT ) and intravenous fluids are used in rehydrating patients. A medical practitioner must perform this treatment. The medical treatment for rehydration is very individual and specific to the person being treated. It is best to give the dehydrated person some water to quench thirst and then seek a medical professional to determine the proper course of action.

What are some potential long-term health effects of chronic dehydration?

There is emerging research in this area as more and more is learned about the acute health effects of dehydration. Dr. F. Batmanghelidj, an alternative health care practitioner, believed dehydration can lead to an increased risk of chronic health problems including:

• Diabetes
• Stroke
• Gallstones
• Kidney and bladder stone
• Heart disease
• Cancer
• Thrombosis
• Urinary tract infections
• Periodontal diseases

 There is no question that water is essential for life. There are a great many doctors that will tell you that drinking enough water is not only good for your health, but has other ancillary benefits as well. As they say, “An ounce of prevention goes a long way.”

 Prevention is the best medicine

Giving employees ready access to water is the key to keeping them hydrated. If water is plentiful and accessible, they will be more likely to utilize the resources and stay hydrated. Off-site workers or those in remote locations need not go thirsty. There are many opportunities for offering a continual water source that these employees will utilize. Here is a set of best practices you may consider:

1. Keep large jugs of water and ice readily available.
2. Ensure that the water is fresh, well-filtered and tastes good.
3. Ensure that water jugs are cleaned often to prevent bacterial growth.
4. Advise employees to drink water often, before work shifts, during breaks and whenever thirsty.
5. Encourage employees to bring their own water bottle to work, or provide them with one.
6. Provide ample restroom facilities to encourage continual hydration.
7. Create an education plan to remind your employees to get hydrated and stay hydrated. Inform personnel of the danger signs of dehydration and have them work in a “Buddy System” in order to provide support.
8. Make it a habit and lead by example.

It’s estimated that 80% of the adult population in the U.S. go through their day somewhat dehydrated. One can assume that any decrease in performance related to dehydration is proportionate to the degree of dehydration. An investment of time in education and providing adequate drinking facilities is an inexpensive way to enhance the performance of your team!

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Janitorial Supplies Michigan – Amerisource Industrial Supply 

Modified from Rochester Midland Corp publication

THE ROLE OF CLEANING AND CLEANERS

 Why does the chemical cleaning product industry exist?  In other words, why is it necessary to clean?  There are many important reasons such as preventing the spread of disease and making our environment a safe and healthy place to live.   Perhaps the best historical example is the Black Death, the terrible plague that swept through Europe during the Middle Ages.  During a short period of time, over 60 million people died, almost one quarter of the world’s population.

 Today, chemicals like disinfectant cleaners and other products that are available, could have prevented a significant number of those deaths.  Due to the fact that sanitation and personal hygiene are such an integral part of our daily lives, we take them for granted.  Yet it is the prime reason why we live in a world in which life expectancy in now double what it was just 200 years ago.  Although there are perhaps hundreds of specific reasons to clean and disinfect, there are eight primary reasons.   They are:

1.  Health (pathogenic bacteria live in soil)
2.  Functionality (some tasks, such as repair, are impossible without cleaning first)
3.  Safety (dirty, slippery equipment and/or facilities are dangerous)
4.  Economics (dirty facilities wear out faster and perform less efficiently)
5.  Product Quality (in some industries, product quality is difficult or even impossible to maintain without cleaning and sanitation – for example, cleaning electronic circuit boards) 
6. Government Agency Requirements (in some industries, for example food processing, the USDA requires cleaning at regular intervals) 
7. Pride and Aesthetic Values (keeping floors and work areas clean, improves worker productivity) 
8. Comfort

 Chemicals provide the major means for most cleaning operations.  One or more of the eight reasons listed above come into play in our every day life.

 A simple definition of the term soil is physical matter out of place.   What distinguishes soil from other physical matter is that it occurs or exists in a location where it is not wanted.  Soils can generally be described as heavy or light, organic or inorganic (or mixtures of both), solid or liquid, viscous (syrupy) or fluid, soluble or insoluble.  Soils also are strongly influenced by heat and other environmental factors.

 Organic soils are derived from living matter – people, plants, animals, foodstuffs, or petroleum.  They are typically residues derived from living things or petroleum – greasy soils (oil), residue from plants or animals (food stuffs), and human matter (blood, urine, bacteria).

 Inorganic soils are primarily composed of dirt and sand.  Mineral deposits, planting soil, hard water deposits, cement, fiberglass residue, and dust are all examples of inorganic soil.  Many soils are mixtures of both inorganic and organic soils.

 A simple definition for a cleaner is a chemical solution that helps to remove soil.  The type of soil encountered and the surface upon which the soil is deposited will be major factors in determining the type of chemical cleaner and the cleaning conditions required for soil removal.  There are a variety of cleaners formulated to remove a variety of soils. 

 TYPES OF CLEANING SOLUTIONS

 When considering cleaning, it is useful to think in terms of what is actually being accomplished.  Consider a hard surface upon which soil is deposited.  In order to remove or clean this soil from the surface via the use of conventional chemical cleaning techniques, three successive actions must occur:

1. The soil must be physically separated from the surface being cleaned.
2. The soil must be broken up and suspended in the chemical cleaning solution.
3. The soil must be physically removed, usually via rinsing or wiping from the surface.T

The primary types of cleaners used for removing soils are listed below:

1.  Detergents
2.  Alkaline Cleaners
3.  Acid Cleaners
4.  Disinfectants
5.  Bacteria and Enzymes
6.  Solvent Cleaners
7.  Emulsion Cleaners
8.  Abrasive Cleaners

 DETERGENTS: Detergents (or surfactants – surface active agents) perform several important functions.  First, they reduce the surface tension for aqueous (water based) solutions that allows for faster penetration of cleaners into soils.  Next, they provide emulsifying action, they chemically attach themselves to the surface of soil particles, solvents, greases, and waxes and keep them suspended (usually in water), so that they can be easily rinsed away.  A detergent cleaner performs four basic functions in order to penetrate and remove soil:  penetration, wetting, dispersion, and emulsifying.  The strength of each of these properties determines the efficacy of a detergent.

 The penetration function of a detergent allows the cleaning solution to flow into the pores of a surface and reach under and around embedded soils.  While surfaces appear smooth, they are actually composed of pores, pits, and crevices, in which soils become entrenched.  Lack of penetration power makes soil removal from surface crevices and pits extremely difficult.

 The surface tension of water and other aqueous solutions acts as a thin, fairly strong, barrier that prevents it from penetrating porous materials like cloth and surfaces.  Detergents increase the wetting ability of water by reducing the surface tension and in turn improving its ability to penetrate surface pours.  Without improved wetting, aqueous solutions would be repelled by surfaces that they are trying to clean.

 Dispersion is the process of breaking up and suspending solid masses of soil above the surface in the cleaning solution so that can be easily removed.  Soil suspension is important because it prevents soil from being redeposited on to the surface, ensuring that it is rinsed away with the cleaning solution.

 Due to the fact oil repels water, the emulsification property of detergents works to break up oily, greasy materials into tiny particles so that they are more easily dissolved in water.  Emulsifying agents actually make water and oil compatible so that greasy soils can be suspended in the aqueous cleaning solution, instead of being redeposited on the surface.

 pH is a term that describes the degree of alkalinity or acidity of a product.  The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, in which 7 is assigned to representing neutrality.  The range below 7 (approximately 0.5-6.5) represents the acidic scale, with 0.5 rating highly acidic and corrosive, and 6.5 rating slightly acidic.  The lower the number, the stronger the acid.  The range above 7 (approximately 7.5-14.0) represents the alkaline scale, with 14.0 rating highly alkaline and corrosive, and 7.5 slightly alkaline.  The higher the number, the more alkaline.

 pH numbers are also logarithmic.  For example, a pH of 9 is ten times more alkaline than a pH of 8.  A pH of 10 is 100 times more alkaline than a pH of 8.  On the acidic scale, a pH of 2 is ten times more acidic than a pH of 3 and one thousand times more acidic than a pH of 5.

 The advantage of neutral pH cleaners (or cleaners closer to a neutral pH) are that they tend to be safer for the end user and the environment.  For example, neutral pH floor cleaners have the least negative impact on floor finishes.  A high pH can actually yellow or remove floor finish.  Hand soaps are also neutral pH cleaners. 

 ALKALINE CLEANERS:  Alkaline cleaners enhance and speed up the cleaning process.  They often contain either sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide which have a strong affinity for surfaces and in turn will work to modify the soil (make it more soluble).  Alkaline cleaners modify insoluble soils to render them easier to suspend and in turn rinse away.  The also make proteins and other alkaline susceptible organic soils dissolvable in water based solutions.  Please note that the majority of, but not all, soils are alkaline susceptible.  Therefore, the majority of cleaners are alkaline.  The alkaline pH range is approximately 7.5 (the least alkaline) to 14.0 (highly alkaline and corrosive).

 ACID CLEANERS:  Although the majority of soils are susceptible to alkaline agents, some are more susceptible to acids.  Acid cleaners are effective against tough inorganic stains like mineral deposits (lime and milk stone), soap film, certain molds, and rust because of their descaling ability.  Descaling involves the removal of soil in layers, the acid eats away at the layers of inorganic matter.  Acid cleaners usually contain either hydrochloric acid, which is good for heavy duty cleaning, or phosphoric acid which is considered to be safer and milder on surfaces than hydrochloric acid.

 DISINFECTANTS: Disinfectants kill or reduce bacteria, fungi, and viruses which cause disease on surfaces, leaving a residue that continues to kill microorganisms.  The chemistry is complex and many varieties are available.  We frequently use quaternary ammonium halides which attack bacteria cell walls.  It should be noted that many other sanitizers with different types of chemistry and chemicals structure are also available. 

 Disinfectant detergents work to destroy harmful bacteria while assisting with the soil removal.  The detergent component has certain ingredients that lift the soil away from the surface so it can be wiped away more easily, while the disinfecting component kills or reduces the bacteria population to acceptable levels.

 Disinfectant detergents (or any other type of cleaning chemical) should not be used simultaneously with the use of another chemical.  For example, a disinfectant cleaner used with an enzyme digester renders both products ineffective.  Mixing products that contain bleach and ammonia can release a toxic gas that could be harmful to the end user.  Products should only be mixed with water.  If two products are necessary to remove the soil one should be used and rinsed away and then the other, they should never be applied or mixed together.  Furthermore, because of the potential to render disinfectants ineffective, federal law prohibits the mixing or use of disinfectants in a manner that is inconsistent with label directions.

 The term hospital grade disinfectant refers to a disinfectant that is effective against a select number of bacteria, in particular Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonellla choleraesius, and Staphylococcus aureus, as well as a variety of other pathogenic organisms.

 Quaternary disinfectants or Quats are good all-purposed disinfectants.  They combat a broad spectrum of disease and odor causing organisms, are low in toxic or irritation properties, and provide odor control.  Additionally. Quats allow for a broader range of fragrances than most other disinfecting agents.  The quaternaries also possess some penetrating and wetting properties that increase the effectiveness of detergents and allow them to better dissolve into solutions.  Quats also tend to be less expensive than other types of disinfectants.

 Phenolic disinfectants or Phenols are also effective against a variety of gram positive and gram negative organisms. As well as the bacillus (type of bacteria) that causes tuberculosis, but are higher it toxicity and irritation properties and have a distinct odor.  Phenols also lack detergency properties and thus do not contribute to the wetting and penetrating functions of a product.

 Phenols are, however, preferred in many health care settings where blood spills and other infectious bodily fluids are more commonly encountered.  Due to the fact that Phenols are tuberculocidal, they are recommended to help people meet the OSHA Occupational Exposure to Blood Borne Pathogens Standard.  OSHA’s Blood Borne Pathogen Standard states that spills of regulated body fluids must be decontaminated with an appropriate disinfectant (which is defined as a tuberculocidal disinfectant) to prevent infection by blood borne pathogens, primarily Hepatitis B and AIDS.

 Although Tuberculosis in not spread through contact with hard surfaces (it is spread by inhalation of airborne particles), OSHA bases the standard on the presumption that killing Tuberculosis indicates that a disinfectant or chemical may have a greater capability for killing Hepatitis B.

 ENYYME AND BACTERIA CLEANERS:  Enzyme and Bacteria cleaners are composed of nonpathogenic (will not cause disease), living bacteria or enzymes that will break down and liquefy organic soils like fats, proteins, carbohydrates and grease, while simultaneously eliminating malodor.  Enzyme and Bacteria cleaners present an alternative to harsher chemical solutions like solvents and strong acids or alkalis, because they are more environmentally sensible, and more user friendly that products with extreme pH.

 The process by which enzyme and bacteria cleaners work is important to understand.  When a bacteria product is applied, the microorganisms are dormant.  They begin to grow and digest the waste that is present (their food source) and in turn multiply.

 Since bacteria don’t have mouths, they break down and metabolize waste by producing enzymes.  The waste that has been broken down is now small enough to be transported or absorbed through the bacteria cell wall.  Once the waste particles are inside the cell, they can be broken down and used as a fuel and energy source. Allowing the cell to reproduce again and again, thus repeating the process.  As long as the organic soils are available as a food source, the process will continue.

 Straight enzyme cleaners are products that contain only enzymes that have been separated from the bacteria that produce them.   These products also break sown soils like grease, starches, and proteins.  Once enzymes have done their work, they are used up and cannot reproduce themselves; in turn they will not be able to degrade any more waste.

 Bacteria products can be advantageous because they last longer and tent to be more effective – if food is available, bacteria are always producing enzymes and multiplying to degrade waste. 

 Enzyme and Bacteria cleaners are currently used primarily for drain line cleaning and odor control.  They can be applied once for a specific odor problem or organic waste clog, or they can be incorporated into an ongoing maintenance program, to minimize waste buildup and reduce the need for costly pumping.  A regular application of an enzyme and bacteria digester can be especially effective in controlling odor problem caused by organic soil build-up in cracks of tile, around the base of toilets, and long the sides of urinals and drains.

 SOVLVENT CLEANERS: Solvent cleaners are particularly effective for the removal of organic soils, and greases, etc.  The solvent removes the soil from the surfaces.  There are a number of different solvents.  The well-known “butyl” solvent is actually glycol ether, which allows aqueous solution to remove oily soils more effectively.  Glycol ether solvents are unique because they can be dissolved in oil or water.

 In some cases, hydrocarbon solvents are used because of their ability to attack greases.  Chlorinated solvents offer even more vigorous attack on oily soils.  However, due to the negative impact on the environment and the user health, many solvent products have been restricted, banned, or planned for future phase out.

 Solvent cleaners are good for removing oil based stains like greasy fingerprints on mirrors and windows.

 EMULSION CLEANERS: Emulsion cleaners are typically solvents that are mixed with detergents or other ingredients to form a stable cleaning product in water.  They emulsify oils (break the oil particles down so that they can be dissolved in water) making the particles compatible with water. For example, furniture polish as well liquid cleansers are often emulsion cleaners that are effective against both water and oil based stains.

 ABRASIVES:  Abrasives clean by mechanically sanding or grinding down a minute layer of the surface.  Abrasives can be useful for removing tough stains, but care should be take not to wear the surface down to the point that it becomes more porous and in turn susceptible to staining.  Heavy-duty cleaners like acid detergents and emulsion cleansers that are miler on surfaces, can often take the place of abrasive powders.  Products like acid bowl cleaners and abrasive stain removers should not be used on a daily basis.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Industrial Supplies Michigan – Amerisource Industrial Supply

Molding with PVC resin or using flame retardant additives simply causes nothing but headaches for most molders. These materials are widely known to emit acidic gases during the molding process. And these gases cause frustration and problems for the molder. Gases can build up on the mold surface, leading to clogged vents or filled-in mold texture. We see two ways to help solve these situations. The reactive approach is to use a cleaner to help break down and remove these gas deposits after they are formed. Slide’s Resin Remover product is an excellent option for this approach. We also offer a proactive method of trying to prevent the gas from building up on the mold surface. By using Slide’s Mold Saver Release Agent the molder can work to neutralize these corrosive and damaging acidic vapors. Not only does this formulation help with releasing the part from the mold surface, it also contains a powerful base material that will work to eliminate the acidic vapors from the mold cavity as they are being emitted from the resin. So help your customers to be proactive when you run across molders working in these acid-rich molding situations. As always, free samples are available.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Janitorial Supplies Michigan – Amerisource Industrial Supply

Cost per Hand Dry Towel Comparison

	Towel	Twl/ft	Case	Cost Per		Hand Dry
Towel Type	Size	Per Case	Price	Towel/Ft		Used	Cost
Center Pulls	7.8×13	3180	$30.00	$0.0094	twls	3	$0.028
Cfolds	13×10.25	2400	$20.00	$0.0083	twls	3	$0.025
Multifolds	9.125×9.5	4000	$26.00	$0.0065	twls	3	$0.020
Scott Fold	9.4×12.4	4375	$35.00	$0.0080	twls	2	$0.016
enMotion	10×800	4800	$52.00	$0.0108	ft	1.5	$0.016
Multifolds Brown	10.25×9.25	4000	$20.00	$0.0050	twls	3	$0.015
Single Folds	10.25×9.25	4000	$20.00	$0.0050	twls	3	$0.015
Intuition White	8×700	4200	$41.00	$0.0098	twls	1.5	$0.015
Intuition Brown	8×700	4200	$39.00	$0.0093	twls	1.5	$0.014
White Roll Towel	8×800	4800	$25.00	$0.0052	ft	2.5	$0.013
Brown Roll Towel	8×800	4800	$22.00	$0.0046	ft	2.5	$0.011
White Roll Towel	8×1000	12000	$ 79.00	$0.0066	ft	1.5	$0.010
Hand Dryer							Utility Cost
* Includes waste, loss and misuse

The above indicates that Kimberly Clark’s 1000 or 1005 white roll towels using a controlled towel dispenser is the lowest cost towel alternative.  There are other factors to consider in selecting an appropriate towel system

1. Bathroom decor and fit with dispenser options and styles
2. Personal choice for folded towel style over roll towels
3. The desire to keep options open and select any manufacturers towels

The lowest cost folded towel options is singlefolds followed closely by Scottfold and Multifold towels.  Centerpull towels along with household towels ie Bounty are and have been the most expensive hand drying alternatives.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites