Split! and Disinfectants; Adenosine Triphosphate Removal

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• Q – What is Biofilm?

• A – Biofilms are a collective of one or more types of microorganisms that can grow on many different surfaces and attach themselves to the surface. For our purposes, biofilm ends up being a combination of residue, soil, and microorganisms. They end up being feeding and breeding grounds for bacteria and other microorganisms. We measure the amount of biofilm with an ATP meter (see ATP Meter). Split’s! ability to remove biofilm and retain counts of ZERO on an ATP meter makes Split! a fantastic choice for all surface cleaning.

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• Q – What is Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)?

• A – Adenosine Triphosphate is the universal energy molecule in cells, those that are or were recently living. ATP is a perfect indicator when trying to determine if a surface is clean or not. ATP is the measurable signature left by the biofilm.

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• Q – How does Split! remove biofilm and thus ATP.

• A – By “splitting” the biofilm along with dirt and residue on the surface you are cleaning into microscopic particles by applying the Split!, agitating, and picking up the “splitted” material with a cloth, mop, or machine.

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• Q – Can Split! replace disinfectants.

• A – Our first answer is always no! Disinfectants kill with an EPA stated claim depending on the disinfectant. They are also an EPA rated insecticide. All Split! products are Green Seal Certified. Split! products are very safe to use and hypo-allergenic. Therefore – Split! products cannot be disinfectants. Yes, all Split! products will remove biofilm and leave the surface free of biofilm, leaving a zero reading on an ATP meter.

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• Q – What is the dwell time we need using Split! to remove the biofilm? Right now, our standard quaternary disinfectants require 10 minutes of wet dwell time to work.

• A – There is no dwell time to remove biofilm with Split! Just Spray Split! – Wipe – Done. What an advantage – Right? We only recommend dwell time on stubborn heavy soils allowing the Split! to penetrate and “split” what soils are there.

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• Q – "It makes no sense! Split! does what the intention of a disinfectant does, to remove biofilm, that it cannot replace a disinfectant."

• A – In many cases, we agree, but, you must look at the landscape where disinfectants are used and why. There are ramifications for not using certain disinfectants in certain areas.

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• Q – Where can we use…or better, where are the boundaries for using Split! as a cleaner that can remove biofilm?

• A – That’s a big question. Let’s start with three standing realities. First, all disinfectants are labeled to be used after you precleaned an area. Why? Because the EPA did not feel comfortable that the disinfectants could do an adequate cleaning job. So Split! can be used as a pre-cleaner. Second, Disinfectants are an insecticide. They are available to almost anyone, and as we should have learned by this time living in our world, this does not mean it is safe for everyone. When you expose yourself to weekly cleaning in your home and have some use of a disinfectant cleaner while cleaning, you have exposure at a small level to these insecticides. If you are the cleaner of commercial buildings, and do this for your job, you are exposed daily for hours times weeks times years. This cannot be a good thing. That is why so many workers suddenly find themselves sensitive to chemical exposure when they were not before.

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• Q – What’s the third reality?

• A – Right – Thirdly the commercial building being cleaned with disinfectant cleaners daily build up residue. The flash-off and residue remain in the building leaving plenty of potential for surface contact and airborne residual. These buildings are closed environments that leave all inside to remain on all surfaces including the air handling systems. Any user of that building becomes exposed to whatever is in that building including residue from using disinfectant cleaners.

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• Q – So back to my original question – When and where should we be using Split! to clean to remove biofilm?

• A – Whenever and wherever you can. There are many public areas, offices, and other areas where removing biofilm is truly needed. This will have to be determined from building to building. As I mentioned, you can use it as a pre-cleaner, or as a restorative to remove the buildup caused by daily use of disinfectant cleaners. Keep in mind, Split! products are used all over medical facilities and centers because they are great everyday cleaners for hard floors, carpets, and other areas. Split! cleans better than any standard detergent cleaner, leaving no residue. Adding biofilm removal as a regular spray and wipe is an additional plus because of the safety and green factor Split! provides.