Don’t pass the flu bug around the office in winter

A new product called Microbe Shield Treatment (MST) has been launched on the market targeting B2B that literally stops cross contamination on surfaces at work that unlike other sanitisers and will KILL bacteria on hard surfaces for up to one month before requiring reapplication. Made primarily from silicon and water, it is non toxic to humans and therefore suitable for a variety of applications including schools, offices, hotels, hospitals, health services, clubs, convention centres, swimming centres and gymnasiums.

Environmental Expert Michael Andrew was recently quoted in the Los Angeles Times indicating that we touch about 10 million bacteria every time we have contact with our desk, mobile phones - more unhygienic than the surface of a toilet or the soles of your shoes.

Marketed by TPR GROUP, Microbe Shield Treatment kills 99% of all viruses, bacteria, moulds, fungi and protozoas and lasts for 28 days before needing to be reapplied. It is non toxic to humans and animals, non toxic to the environment, non corrosive (i.e. it won’t stain any surface), is odourless, does not encourage mutation (i.e. does not create super resistant bugs) and is safe for food contact surfaces.

While other antimicrobials rely on poisons, toxic chemicals or heavy metal ions, Microbe Shield Treatment (MST) utilises a patented molecular technology made primarily from silicon (that’s sand in lay terms) that destroys microbes mechanically.

TPR GROUP provides a range of healthy office solutions and products to over 2000 businesses Australia-wide to create happy and productive office environments for their clients.

MST is sprayed onto all touch points within an office, after initial testing has determined the level of risk and contamination for the various touch points. To test touch points, TPR GROUP utilises a scientifically proven ATP detection device (Luminometer) which is commonly used throughout the food and healthcare industries, hospitals, restaurants and supermarkets where the rapid detection of contamination is crucial.

Using the Luminometer, TPR GROUP can provide immediate answers to the possible contamination of surfaces. The ATP test takes literally minutes to complete, but the results can be significant. ATP is a measure of the presence of biological matter on surfaces. This test allows the office operator to instantly assess the safety of surfaces for staff and, using the MST, provide immediate corrective action to solve contamination.

It is a fact that most people touch up to 132 touch points a day so you can imagine the bugs that are passed from person to person through phones, computer mouses, door handles and railings etc. Some bacteria can live for up to 72 hours on surfaces.

With research indicating that ill staff are anxious about job security and presenting to work even when they are ill, the need to ensure cross-contamination is minimised becomes increasingly important to the business owner if they aim to operate at an efficient level of productivity in these challenging times. Some businesses have streamlined processes and reduced staff numbers in order to cope with the economic downturn. This means there are fewer staff members to undertake core areas of operations so the importance of presentissm and absenteeism become critical areas of the business to manage.

International recruitment firm Robert Half recently found concerning results in a study showing that the economic downturn is placing increased pressure on employees to the point that one in two workers (52 per cent) frequently come to work when they are sick. Nearly half those surveyed said they avoid taking sick days because they don’t want to be labeled as ‘slackers’. However 45% of those people who turned up feared that if they stay away too long on sick leave, they could be sacked. “If ill employees present to work ill, germs are spread person to person within the office and this has a dramatic affect on productivity”, says Managing Director of TPR GROUP, Stuart Swaddling.

“Instead of using toxic chemicals or poisons to kill bacteria, MST safely coats practically any surface with a molecular-sized "bed of nails" that doesn't chemically treat bacteria but spikes and mechanically kills them. The coating is so thin that it's undetectable but nanoscopic bacteria and germs are pulled towards the nails to be spiked and destroyed”.

“Uniquely, MST will keep protecting weeks after bleaches and cleaning chemicals fail. The MST coating actually bonds with surfaces, preventing spikes from being cleaned away by even harsh housekeeping or sanitising. Also, because it's mechanical and has no additives, there is no poison residue, leaching or staining”, said Stuart Swaddling.

Key Features of Microbe Shield Treatment

• MST is non-toxic - Because it does not use poisons or heavy metals, MST is extremely safe to humans and animals. It has been tested and a peer reviewed for almost 40 years and has been found to be non-toxic, non-mutagenic and non-allergenic.
• MST is long lasting - The invisible protective shield is hard wearing and will continue to kill bacteria for weeks at a time.
• MST is invisible - As a liquid it looks like clear water and when it has dried, the MST shield is invisible and can't be felt. That's because MST creates a coating so thin it can only be seen under a microscope.
• How effective is it? - Extremely. And not only now but into the future.
• MST is unique - Silicon from quartz, organic alcohol and nitrogen are the raw ingredients that make up MST, a pure and highly stable molecule. It contains no heavy metals, stabilisers or dyes.

Treating your workplace with MST leading into the winter flu season makes good commercial sense. A reduction in absenteeism can have a significant economic impact for businesses. The product is suitable for all office environments and touch points such as light switches, computer keyboards, door handles, taps and telephones are contact points where pathogens in the workplace are transferred easily.

MST has been scientifically proven to improve the health of buildings and the office environment in which people work. The MST will do what no cleaning service can do and that is to protect workplaces from pathogens for weeks at a time. MST takes minutes not hours to apply, so there’s no business interruption and it can dramatically reduce your reliance on cleaning chemicals and poisons needed to keep your workplace clean. TPR GROUP provides a monthly or quarterly service to business where a spray treatment is applied to identified touch points and also common areas such as break out rooms, kitchens and meeting rooms.

To take advantage of this unique service contact 1800 631 365 for your nearest contact and take advantage of the free touch point testing. Initial touch point protection costs as little as $260.00 for an average office size up to 20 people. TPR GROUP has more than 35 franchisees providing this service operating Australia wide – Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Central Coast, Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Newcastle, Townsville, and Wollongong.

 ENDS

Released June 17, 2009

For further Information

Contact: Kathie Melocco

0448 881 516