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"We have contracts in place with several large school districts that putus in the position to come to the aid of schools wishing to be cleaned," saidSteve Silicato, REM, CIE, Vice President of MARCOR. MARCOR technicians havehelped with other well-known cleanups such as the anthrax decontamination ofthe Hart Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C. and the American Mediabuilding, following the attack of 9/11. The company has also decontaminatednursing homes and other facilities infected with the Legionella bacterium.
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"Some school districts feel more reassured working with professionalcontracting firms which hold required licenses and/or certifications and canperform the work with experienced personnel using the correct personalprotective equipment," Silicato explained.
According to a new government study, more than 90,000 Americans contractpotentially deadly infections each year from the drug-resistant staph germcalled the "Super Bug," with the numbers rising rapidly. Deaths tied to theseinfections among those who are extremely ill or medically frail may exceedthose caused by AIDS, said one public health expert, commenting on the newstudy. The official term for the potentially lethal, antibiotic-resistant germis methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA.
An MRSA staph infection may first appear on the skin as a red, swollenpimple or boil, which may be painful or have pus. The germ can be spread byclose skin-to skin contact or by touching contaminated surfaces. Good hygieneis the best way to avoid infection. The federal Centers for Disease Controland Prevention offer the following suggestions:
Prevention is key. MARCOR Remediation, Inc., a nationwide environmentalcontractor with 14 offices, routinely performs decontamination of surfaces,ducts, and HVAC systems in public and private schools, nursing homes,hospitals, commercial properties, industrial plants, and government buildings.Biological hazard projects have also included mold, blood-borne pathogens(post office homicide), and other threats to occupants' health and safety.Further information is available on MARCOR's services at 877-6-MARCOR or athttp://www.marcor.com.-- Keep your hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand cleaner. -- Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until healed. -- Avoid contact with other people's wounds or bandages. -- Avoid sharing personal items such as towels or razors.
SOURCE MARCOR Remediation, Inc.
