By Joshua Burd
An environmental remediation and consulting firm is gearing up to handle the need for antimicrobial and antiviral mitigation in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
EWMA, which is based in Parsippany, announced Tuesday that it would offer no-cost estimates to businesses in need of those services, which will be planned and conducted according to guidelines set by health and disease prevention regulators. The firm expects to provide cleaning services as businesses resume normal operations, targeting frequently used surfaces and touchpoints in office buildings and other communal spaces.
“Our goal is to help get New Jerseyans back to their daily lives as quickly and safely as possible,” said Michael Sylvester, executive vice president with EWMA. “One key step in doing so is to make many spaces which once houses diagnosed individuals safe and healthy to occupy once again.”
According to Sylvester, antimicrobial and antiviral mitigation uses agents that either limit or completely stop the growth of microorganisms. The service uses an electrostatic process to thoroughly clean surfaces such as elevator buttons, doorknobs, chair railings, desks, lobby areas, waiting rooms, and bathroom surfaces around toilets and sinks.
EWMA expects there to be a need in office buildings, event spaces, gyms, restaurants, warehouses and other facilities. All cleaning procedures will be conducted in accordance with protocols published by leading authorities, including the World Health Organization, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“Without proper mitigation, these places may pose a risk, and will need to be disinfected properly before they open up once again to their employees, visitors and the public,” Sylvester said. “By thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting these areas, our clients will have greater peace of mind.”
While no vaccine exists for COVID-19, EWMA cited the steps that building owners and managers can take to mitigate risk in communal environments. Preliminary guidelines established by the World Health Organization note that the virus, which spreads through droplets in the air, may live on certain surfaces for up to 72 hours.
