What you should be aware of when using ATP monitors

In a post-COVID-19 world, hygienic cleaning will be here to stay. Hygienic cleaning removes the maximum amount of potentially contaminated soils and bio-pollutants from a surface but also goes one step further.

With hygienic cleaning, we not only remove pathogens, we prove it,” says Matt Morrison of Kaivac, developers of the No-Touch Cleaning ® system. “And the most scientific way to ‘prove it’ is by the proper use of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) rapid monitoring systems.

Morrison emphasises the word ‘proper’ because he believes many cleaning professionals are not using these monitors correctly, most likely because they do not fully understand ATP technology.

To rectify this, Morrison suggests some key points everyone should know about ATP:

1. ATP is found in all living cells, those that are harmless as well as those that can be a health risk.

2. ATP monitors measure the concentration of ATP as relative light units. The more light units, the greater the concentration of ATP, and the greater potential of there being pathogens on the surface.

3. An ATP meter typically determines test results in about 15 seconds.

4. “Do not perform just one test on one surface,” adds Morrison. “Test at least five areas on a surface, then divide the results by five. This will give you the ‘average’ ATP [reading] on that surface.”

5. Be aware that chemical residue on a surface can impact the results of an ATP test.

6. When conducting tests keep in mind that sunlight can also distort results.

7. Ambient temperature of 21-22 degrees Celsius is optimal for best results when performing tests.

8. With some systems, an ATP reading of 0-10 is pass, meaning the surface is clean and safe; 11-30 is caution, the surface should be re-cleaned; 31 or above is a fail, meaning the surface is likely contaminated.

In a post-COVID-19 world, we should eliminate the caution zone. “At least for now, cleaning professionals should not consider any surface clean and healthy unless it gets a pass score. This will possibly become the norm from now on,

Morrison suggests.

Kaivac ® delivers complete science-based cleaning systems designed to produce healthy results while raising the value of cleaning operations and the professionalism of the worker. Tackling washrooms, hard surface floors, commercial kitchens, and more, Kaivac cleaning products remove the maximum amount of soil and pollutants in the most cost-effective, environmentally friendly manner possible. For more information visit: www.kaivac.com or www.goscorcleaning.co.za