SynTerra safety

Disinfect, the Right Way

By Ruth Albright (Posted March 30, 2020)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is placing a heightened concern and emphasis on disinfecting high traffic surfaces such as doorknobs, sinks, and countertops in your home — even if no one is sick. While cleaning and disinfecting is at the top of our minds right now, it is important to note that disinfecting supplies come with instructions that make those products effective. Keep reading to learn how to use the disinfectant, anti-bacterial, or anti-viral products we are using to keep our homes safe.

It is important to use products with “disinfectant,” “anti-bacterial,” and/or “anti-viral” on the label. Labels should list the organisms for which they have been tested to effectively kill germs. In addition, read the use requirements carefully. For example, the contact time and application method are part of the test method and failing to follow the instructions on the label could result in an ineffective product.

Failing to read product instructions can also give you a false sense of security and result in exposing friends and family to disease-causing microorganisms through surface contact. Depending on the product, skipping the product instructions could cause antimicrobial-resistant strains of target microorganisms to develop on the many surfaces in your home. With your safety in mind, and for the health of friends and family, read the label and follow the instruction for applying those products you are using to disinfect your home, your car, and the many shared surfaces you come in contact with daily.

A little more information for those interested:

Manufacturers’ products with “disinfectant”, “antimicrobial”, “antibacterial”, and/or “antiviral” on the label, are subject to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). Implemented and enforced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the regulation requires manufacturers to demonstrate that those products meet label claims and present an acceptable level of risk to the user. The label must include a statement regarding the types(s) of organism(s) the product is intended to control (or kill) and the method of application required to achieve those claims, including the use of any safety equipment and/or procedure requirements. Failure to follow label requirements is a violation of Federal regulations. While it is unlikely that the USEPA will initiate enforcement action against a homeowner or low volume user of commercially available consumer products, the instructions are a consumer protection and will enable the effective use of the product.

For more information on cleaning and disinfecting your home or workplace, visit the CDC for the latest on disinfecting your home, the right way.

Kathy Webb, P.G.

Senior Market Leader | Principal

Kathy, a founder of SynTerra (previously The Fletcher Group) in 1992, has completed remedial investigations and regulatory compliance projects associated with Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) facilities, state and federal Superfund sites, solid waste landfills, brownfield redevelopment, utility coal combustion residual (CCR) management units, and regulated industrial facilities. She has supported litigation as an expert witness related to chlorinated solvents, metals, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Kathy is known for her practical assessment strategy with the perspective of the client’s business objectives. She routinely evaluates groundwater corrective action systems for effectiveness and progress toward achieving compliance objectives. She has also co-authored a trade journal paper with case studies of low-impact remedial strategies. Kathy is a licensed Professional Geologist in North and South Carolina.

Mark Taylor, P.G.

Principal

Mark has worked more than 40 years in natural-resource based industries. His expertise includes mine geology and mine engineering, hydrogeologic and geotechnical investigations, solid and hazardous waste management, and regulatory negotiations. He has published peer-reviewed papers about coal geology, ore geochemistry, mineralogy, and solid waste management. He is a leading expert in mining and environmental permitting for litigation support.

Mark is licensed as a Professional Geologist in South Carolina, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Washington. He serves on the boards of the Upstate Red Cross and Upstate Forever. He served on the South Carolina Board of Registration for Geologists for six years. Mark holds a Master’s degree in Geological Sciences from The University of Michigan and a Bachelor’s degree in Geological Science from Harvard University.

Andrea Kehn, P.E.

Vice President of Engineering | Principal

Andrea, leader of our Civil & Environmental Engineering Business Unit, has 28 years of experience in chemical manufacturing and environmental consulting. She leads and supervises staff professionals on multidisciplinary projects for a variety of industrial clients. Andrea’s vast experience and expertise includes: air quality construction and operating permitting; air quality modeling; air permit record-keeping and reporting; Oil Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) and Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP); NPDES Permitting; water quality modeling; process safety management; risk management compliance and auditing; and RCRA compliance.

Andrea is registered as a Professional Engineer in South Carolina. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Michigan Technological University.

Ruth Albright, P.E.

Vice President | Principal

Ruth has led projects for major industrial facilities throughout the Southeast and beyond. She built her knowledge of environmental regulations and their application to manufacturing operations while working for the second largest chemical manufacturing company in the United States. At SynTerra, she has expanded both her knowledge and reputation working for chemical manufacturing operations of all sizes. She has also worked extensively with other manufacturing operations, including pulp and paper, industrial equipment, pharmaceuticals, food, and automotive parts and assembly. Her experience includes air and wastewater permit compliance, solid and hazardous waste management, solid waste construction permitting, hazardous materials transportation, wastewater treatment systems, air pollution control equipment operations and maintenance, and ambient air monitoring systems.

Ruth is a professional engineer registered in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Virginia, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Michigan, Arkansas, and Kentucky. She is an active member of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce Environmental Technical Committee and serves as the chair of the water subcommittee. She has previously served as the program and committee chair for the Greater Greenville Chamber of Commerce Environmental Affairs committee. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Clemson University.