The Ross School of Business reported an outbreak of the Norovirus in January of 2009 after one cafeteria employee reported to work with the virus. Twenty three people reported symptoms after working or eating in their cafeteria. The Norovirus is an airborne pathogen and highly contagious.  Occupational Safety and Environmental Health (OSEH) officials had to close the cafeteria and sanitize all surfaces and bathrooms. Improving Air quality in these cafeterias using proper filtration and purification could significantly reduce airborne pathogens. Malignant microbes are inhaled or settle on surfaces and food and can cause the spread of illness and disease Some other airborne pathogens include methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus( MRSA), tuberculosis, measles virus, and influenza. Improving air quality can improve the health and safety of employees and students.

According to a report from the Boston Globe in 2009, Greater Boston school cafeterias were not doing very well in adhering to food preparation and handling standards.  Food borne illness is a huge problem in the United States with some 76 million Americans having symptoms resulting from poor management and handling of food. Millions of meals are served in our schools daily.  Illness and disease can be prevented if food safety guidelines are followed, along with improving air quality with proper air filtration and purification that can reduce airborne malignant microbes. 

Standards for food safety in school cafeterias need to be adhered to and enforced to insure the health of all. Improving air quality will significantly reduce malignant microbes that can contaminate surfaces and food. The recognized technology that does destroy malignant microbes is photocatalytic oxidation.  Zandair™ uses this technology in their air purification/filtration products. View our product pages and see which one is right for you. Contact uswith any questions or comments.