Cleaner air a must to stop China tourism losses

Hotels and other providers of room and board accommodations need to take measures for cleaner indoor air

Activated carbon in air purifiers
can help remove fumes, gases,
chemicals, odors and more.

China has always been a major draw for tourists, but an ever growing problem of smog and poor air quality has caused a huge drop of visitors this year.

In January, China experienced extreme levels of smog, which were reported worldwide. Since then, the numbers of overseas visitors have declined and many long-term foreign residents have decided to leave the country.

China is the world's third most popular destination for international travel after France and the United States.

The decline could be long-term if Beijing fails to make visible progress in dealing with pollution, experts say.

An analysis of U.S. Embassy readings of smaller, more harmful airborne particles, show this year's pollution is significantly worse than in the past three years.

The Chinese government has announced ambitious anti-pollution measures but people whose jobs depend on foreign tourists aren't hopeful.

Source: The Telegraph

Cleaner air in hotels and other accommodations 

Visiting a country that suffers from high levels of air pollution is hard enough, but the thought of sleeping in a room with the same levels of poor indoor air quality might turn potential visitors away.

The tourism industry can respond by cutting prices - or by offering cleaner and healthier air inside their buildings.

In order to tackle the fumes, chemicals and particles inherent in city smog, an air purifier for smog not only needs a HEPA filter for particles and dust, but also a comprehensive activated carbon filter to remove chemicals, gases and fumes.

Electrocorp has worked with environmental consultants, the hospitality industry and many other professionals to provide cleaner indoor air. For hotel rooms and the hospitality industry, Electrocorp recommends air purification systems such as

Electrocorp's 9000 Series air purifier
is a versatile unit with carbon and HEPA. 

9000 Series - This air purifier offers a 15-60 pound activated carbon filter and medical grade HEPA filter and a pre-filter to prolong the main filters' life. The air purifiers can be mounted to the wall, attached to the ducts or used on the ground.

I-6500 Series for bigger spaces - The reception halls, lobbies, hallways, dining rooms and other larger spaces in hotels and vacation accommodations will benefit from clean air that has been filtered by activated carbon and HEPA.

RAP Series - Electrocorp's Radial Air Purifiers provide around the clock operation and a multi-stage filtration system to remove airborne chemicals, odors, particles and biological contaminants.

For more information and a consultation with an IAQ expert, contact Electrocorp by calling 1-866-667-0297 or by writing to info@electrocorp.net.

Bacteria and other contaminants in hotel rooms

Hotel rooms can be full of
bacteria and other pollutants.

No matter how diligent hotels are with their cleaning regimen – the lack of cleaning standards and other factors allow many surfaces to be contaminated, researchers say.

Scientists from the University of Houston examined surfaces of hotel rooms and found television remotes to be the most contaminated with bacteria. Also, items on the housekeeping cart can potentially lead to cross-contamination between rooms, they say.

Most hotels and guests judge a room’s cleanliness by how clean it looks, but this is an ineffective method of measuring levels of sanitation.

Contaminated surfaces can spread infections during outbreaks in hotels, and immunocompromised individuals may be specifically at risk, the researchers warn.

As expected, other highly contaminated surfaces included the toilet and bathroom sink as well as the bedside lamp switch.

Source: The American Society for Microbiology

Other pollutants in hotel rooms

Mold - Typical causes for mold in hotels are deficient air conditioning systems and air and water leaks in the building walls. Most hotel rooms have little fresh air exchange and let mold and bacteria thrive in an environment of vinyl wall paper and shower steam.

Pesticides – It may be bed bugs or other insects or pests thathave invaded a hotel – but the use of pesticides can be quite dangerous to hotel guests as well, since they often contain toxic chemicals.

Chemicals – Building materials, furniture, textiles, carpets and other substances in hotel rooms may off-gas chemicals and volatile organic compounds that can be irritants and known health hazards. Other chemical pollutants come from cleaning products and personal care products as well as air fresheners.

Allergens - The hotel's mattress, pillow, rug, drapery and upholstered furniture can all easily collect dust, mites and bodily secretions — all of which can cause reactions in allergy sufferers.

Tobacco smoke – Smoking is banned in many hotels, but certain rooms may be designated as smoke rooms (and certain guests may light up, anyway). Stale tobacco smoke is difficult to eradicate and can leave behind harmful chemicals and toxins.

Air cleaners for hotels

Air cleaners for hypoallergenic
hotel rooms, odor control,
mold control and more.

Using non-toxic materials and products whenever possible, implementing a strict cleaning regimen and making sure there is adequate ventilation can all help to improve indoor air quality in hotels – but the right air cleaner will provide cleaner and healthier air around the clock.

The best air cleaners for hotels feature a combination of activated carbon, HEPA and a UV lamps to remove odors, chemicals, gases, particles, dust, mold spores, bacteria and viruses from the air. They should be easy to use, quiet and equipped with long-lasting filters.

Contact Electrocorp for more information and the best air cleaners for your hotel, motel, inn or hospitality business.
  

Bars still invaded by smoke, study shows

Bars and other establishments could expose patrons to
secondhand smoke even if a smoking ban is in effect: Study

Bars and pubs that have implemented a smoking ban have taken steps into the right direction, but their patrons may still be exposed to secondhand smoke, a Wellington (New Zealand) study shows.

Even years after smoking bans came into effect, the bars’ indoor air quality may suffer from smoke seeping into the indoor environment from outdoor smoking areas.

The Wellington researchers tested the air quality in seven establishments, seven years after the bans were implemented and measured the particulate levels in the outdoor smoking areas, inside the bar close to the area and further inside the bar.

The results showed poor air quality for all those areas, at higher pollution levels than recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The exposure to smoke affected bar patrons but also especially bar staff, the researchers say.

Based on the study’s results, the researchers said outdoor areas require tighter regulations, too.

Source: Waikato Times

Bars, restaurants and other establishments benefit from good IAQ

Air cleaners can be hidden or mounted to the ceiling to
help purify the air.

Poor indoor air quality not only affects patrons’ and staff’s health and well-being, it can also lead to disappointing stays and subsequent avoidance of the establishments.

For the most effective odor and smoke control, bar owners and operators need to take source control (an effective ban), ventilation and air cleaning into account.

Electrocorp’s line of industrial-strength air cleaners for the hospitality industry can help remove odors and chemical as well as particulate pollutants from the ambient air, which often tend to cling to indoor surfaces even after active smoking has been banned.

The air cleaners are so effective because they combine proven and trustworthy air filters, including a large activated carbon filter for odors and gaseous pollutants, HEPA filters for up to 99.97% of particles at 0.3 microns and UV germicidal filtration for enhanced protection against mold, bacteria and viruses.

Want more information? Contact Electrocorp between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST at 866-667-0297 or any time by e-mail: info@electrocorp.net.
  

Researchers develop new cleaning technique for hospital rooms

Disinfection system a cost-cutting tool for health care and hospitality industries

Hospital-acquired diseases
are preventable: Experts

Infectious diseases acquired during a hospital stay cost 100,000 people their lives each year – a number that is entirely preventable, researchers say.

A Queen’s University infectious disease expert and others have developed a new disinfection system that can be used to clean hospital rooms as well as bed-bug infested hotel rooms.

The new technology pumps a specific ozone and hydrogen peroxide vapor gas mixture into a room to sterilize all surfaces, including floors, walls, drapes, mattresses, chairs etc.

The technique takes its cue from natural human responses:  If an antibody attacks a germ, it generates ozone and a tiny amount of hydrogen peroxide for a new compound that neutralizes bacteria, viruses and mold.

Study results on the process are published in the December issue of the American Journal of Infection Control.

The technique will be commercialized and is expected to be ready for sale in 2012.

Source: Queen’s University

Air cleaning for hospitals and hotels

I-6500 air cleaner for hospitals,
hotels and other applications.

For the times between sterilization processes, hospitals and hotels can help keep the air clean and healthier with stand-alone air filtration systems.

Electrocorp has developed complete industrial-strength air cleaners with deep-bed activated carbon filters and HEPA as well as UV to remove the widest range of indoor air pollutants, including chemicals, gases, odors, particles, dust, bacteria, viruses and mold.

Find out more about air cleaners for hospitals and healthcare plus air cleaners for the hospitality industry.

For more information, contact Electrocorp at 866-667-0297.

Green hotel chains lead the way

Hotels can make big and small changes
to be more green and profitable.

Big hotel chains seem to have the advantage when it comes to going green, a new analysis by Washington State University researchers shows.

Chain hotels often have more green practices in place, including:

• Energy efficient light bulbs
• Staff training to conserve energy by turning off lights, heaters and air conditioning in unoccupied rooms
• Bulk purchasing to save on packaging
• Using less toxic cleaners and chemicals
• Offering tips to guests on how to save water and energy during their stay (reusing towels and sheets, for example)

The researchers found that the appearance of being green impacted a guest’s decision when it came to similar rooms at the same price.

Traditionally, hotels have had large environmental footprints in the hospitality industry because they use so much water and cleaning chemicals, electricity by keeping lights on all night, etc.

The green hotel movement has become more and more popular since the 1990s.

"It's a smart practice for hotels," says Dennis Reynolds, Ivar B. Haglund Endowed Chair in the WSU School of Hospitality Business Management.

"When it started, no one acknowledged that. They said, 'This is a green practice. We're doing it for the environment.' That caught on very quickly because, yes, it's good for the environment but it's also good for the bottom line."

Greener buildings with better insulation, improved ventilation systems and increased control over room temperature and air quality can cut energy costs significantly.

Source: Washington State University press release

Improve a room’s air quality for more comfort

9400 Ceiling Mount air cleaner

Many hotels are seeing the benefits of green practices - and indoor air quality plays an important role in the experience provided to guests.

A portable air cleaner with activated carbon and HEPA air filters can remove the widest range of odors, chemicals, gases, allergens, molds, bacteria and viruses and provide relief to guests affected by allergies and asthma or chemical sensitivities. Units can also be ducted or otherwise incorporated into existing ventilation systems.

Contact Electrocorp for more information about our line of air cleaners for the hospitality industry and other options.