May 3, 2025 – EULEN Aviation, a division of Grupo EULEN USA, has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Arajet Airlines (DM), considered the largest and fastest-growing airline in the Dominican Republic. This collaboration will elevate Arajet’s operations in the U.S. as EULEN Aviation begins providing world-class ground handling services at Miami International Airport (MIA), reinforcing Arajet’s commitment to delivering exceptional travel experiences for its passengers.

Arajet Airlines, founded in 2022, has quickly made its mark in the low-cost aviation sector, offering affordable flights to 22 destinations across North, Central and South America. With a modern fleet of 10 Boeing 737-MAX 8 aircraft, Arajet is set to expand further, with plans to welcome 15 more aircraft starting in 2026. Arajet just announced that it has transported 2 million passengers since the start of its operations in September 2022, making a significant milestone in the commercial aviation sector of the Dominican Republic. 

In a significant leap toward international expansion, Arajet launched its U.S. operations on April 11, 2025, with direct flights from Miami (MIA) to Santo Domingo (SDQ). The airline will further expand its footprint with additional flights from MIA to Punta Cana (PUJ), starting June 14, 2025. These routes will connect passengers to a wide array of destinations across Central and South America, solidifying Arajet’s role as a key player in the Caribbean’s aviation market.

EULEN Aviation is honored to provide comprehensive, best-in-class ground handling services to Arajet at Miami International Airport, including:

• Passenger Service and Baggage Acceptance (ticket counter and gate boarding)
• Wheelchair Assistance (WCHR)
• Ramp Services (aircraft marshalling, baggage handling)
• Lavatory and Water Service
• Secure Cabin Cleaning Services

With over 12 airline partners currently in operation at MIA — including industry giants such as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Air France/KLM, Copa Airlines, Korean Air, Norse Airlines and Spirit Airlines — this partnership marks a bold step forward in EULEN Aviation’s expansion across the U.S. market.

This is a momentous milestone for both Arajet and EULEN Aviation. We are thrilled to support Arajet’s growth in the U.S. and help facilitate their seamless service at Miami International Airport. Our partnership underscores our shared commitment to excellence, and we are excited to play a part in Arajet’s journey to becoming a leading global airline.

John Jones, vice-president of Aviation Operations for the United States and the Caribbean of EULEN Aviation

As Arajet continues its rapid expansion, this new partnership with EULEN Aviation will enable the airline to enhance its operational efficiency and offer passengers an elevated experience in one of the world’s busiest airports. The collaboration also represents a critical moment for EULEN Aviation to strengthen its foothold in the U.S. market, with MIA serving as a key hub for future growth.

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This information is intended as a guide for architects, owners, building managers, contractors and others in the building industry who are interested in the proper care and maintenance of finished architectural aluminum.

Carl Troiano (Trojan Powder Coating), vice chair of the FGIA Architectural Aluminum Handling, Cleaning and Maintenance Task Group, explained:

This guideline will benefit all those involved in the entire process from manufacturing and fabrication, installation and future maintenance of a project.  It is the most current specification to help deal with the cleaning and maintenance guidelines to assist in the prevention of damage to the finished aluminum surfaces. FGIA and its members have been able to provide a concise specification to assist in maintaining the longevity of anodized surfaces, painted and powder coated aluminum surfaces including cleaning recommendations and care after installation.

AAMA 609 and 610-25, Cleaning and Maintenance Guide for Architecturally Finished Aluminum, as well as other documents available from FGIA, may be purchased from the online store at the discounted member rate of $25 or the non-member price of $70.

For more information about FGIA and its activities, visit FGIAonline.

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The NFPA 660 introduces a risk-based, performance-oriented approach, allowing tailored safety measures based on specific risks. The standard refines Dust Hazard Analysis (DHA) requirements within a unified framework, enhancing clarity and removing redundancies. Additionally, it includes industry-specific chapters to address unique risks.

Eric Potorski, industrial vacuum specialist at Goodway Technologies, stated:

Making sure that our customers are purchasing the right equipment to safely address their environment and application has always been a top priority for us. Our robust and detailed consultation helps gather the necessary information to understand the material they are collecting, the environment and the disposal process. This thorough analysis is an effective, safe and necessary standard to be compliant with your DHA.

Goodway Technologies, a leader in industrial cleaning and maintenance solutions, is providing next steps to help businesses comply with NFPA 660:

• Review the standard: Familiarize yourself with NFPA 660 and understand how it applies to your facility.
• Conduct a Dust Hazard Analysis (DHA): If you haven’t already, perform a DHA to identify and mitigate potential hazards.
• Update safety procedures: Adjust your safety protocols and training programs to align with the new standard.
• Invest in proper equipment: Ensure you have the right dust collection, ventilation and housekeeping systems in place.
• Work with experts: Consulting with combustible dust safety professionals can help streamline compliance and enhance workplace safety.

Potorski continued:

This unified standard helps facilities proactively identify a more consistent approach to hazard management. Our team can provide consultation to help incorporate routine maintenance and find the right solutions for the right applications.

To help reduce potential hazards associated with combustible dust explosions, facilities can also implement the following best practices.

1. Ensure access to all hidden areas of the facility. Evaluate dust buildup on every horizontal surface, including ductwork, beam and joist surfaces, and areas above suspended ceilings.
2. Frequently inspect for dust. OSHA inspectors look for accumulations of 1/32 of an inch, which is about the thickness of a standard paper clip. Immediate cleaning is necessary when a layer of that amount covers a surface area equal to 5% of the floor area.
3. Implement regular cleaning intervals. Develop a plan for timely cleaning, ensuring that work cycle dust is removed concurrently with operations and not allowed to accumulate. Be cautious of dust dispersion during housekeeping.
4. Relocate dust collectors outside. Dust collectors with a volume greater than 8 cubic feet should be situated on the exterior of buildings to limit risks.
5. Ensure electrical wiring and equipment are approved for dust hazard conditions. OSHA recommends using proper electrical equipment in hazardous locations to eliminate a common ignition source.
6. Use certified industrial vacuums for picking up explosive material. In hazardous dust environments, “explosion-proof vacuums” approved for Class II conditions should be used to prevent sparks.
7. Control ignition sources. Post “No Smoking” signs, control static electricity through bonding and grounding equipment, and provide necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent ignition from static electricity.
8. Perform regular preventive maintenance on equipment. Faulty equipment is a common cause of ignition.
9. Train employees to recognize and prevent hazards. Proactively train new employees before they start work and periodically refresh their knowledge. Employees should understand safe work practices, as well as plant programs for dust control and ignition source control. Encourage employees to report unsafe practices and foster a company culture of safety. If fine dust, powders or other flammable materials are used in the facility, consider implementing these tips to enhance preparedness.

While this information can serve as a reference, it is important for plant and facility managers to discuss best practices with their safety officer or maintenance personnel before selecting equipment or implementing safety and preventative maintenance measures.

For more information on Goodway Technologies’ diverse line of industrial vacuums, visit Goodway.

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This standard focuses on the commercial built environment and defines frequencies, objectives, results, principles, and practices to clean, maintain, and restore the built environment. The built environment is defined as materials, building assemblies, structures, furniture, fixtures, and equipment located inside a building envelope.

The ANSI/IICRC S400 Standard includes the following:

• Principles of Cleaning
• Administrative Procedures and Project Documentation
• Safety and Health
• Cleaning Processes
• Cleaning Equipment and Tools, Materials, Chemicals and Supplies
• Quality Assurance and Quality Control
• Limitations, Complexities, Complications and Conflicts

Perry Shimanoff, IICRC S400 Consensus Body Chairman, stated:

On behalf of our entire dedicated team, it is with great pride and excitement that we announce the release of the first-ever ANSI approved standard for the built environment. This landmark achievement represents a significant step forward in supporting professional cleaners by providing a comprehensive and authoritative resource to enhance their expertise. This new Standard is designed to empower cleaning professionals with practical guidance on the current Standard of Care, elevating the industry’s standards and fostering a healthier, safer built environment for all.

Brandon Burton, IICRC Standards Chairman, remarked:

This Standard provides the Commercial Property Maintenance industry with an authoritative resource to ensure Standard of Care in the delivery of cleaning, restoration and maintenance practices.  Thank you to the tremendous effort of the Consensus Body volunteers that have dedicated seven years to the development of this critical document.

To purchase a copy of the new ANSI/IICRC S400: 2025 Standard for Professional Cleaning, Maintenance, and Restoration of the Commercial Built Environment and other standards, visit IICRC Gilmore Global. IICRC standards are also available via the IICRC Standards Subscription website.

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Texas and California lead the rankings, with Dallas taking the top spot, followed by Houston (#2), Los Angeles (#3), and San Francisco (#5). Atlanta secured the #4 position, completing the top five cities. Other notable cities on the list include Honolulu, New York, and Tampa, emphasizing the widespread nature of pest issues across diverse regions.

Marc Potzler, Board Certified Entomologist and Technical Service Manager for Terminix, explained:

Pest pressures in commercial spaces can vary by region, season, and industry, but they all have one thing in common: if left unaddressed, pests can harm employee health, disrupt daily operations, and damage reputations. This annual ranking aims to raise awareness around the importance of year-round pest management to protect businesses of all types.

Top 10 Pest Cities for Businesses in 2025:

1. Dallas
2. Houston
3. Los Angeles
4. Atlanta
5. San Francisco
6. Honolulu
7. New York
8. Tampa, FL
9. Columbus, Ohio
10. Miami

Businesses and organizations in America’s buggiest cities face unique challenges in managing pest infestations, which can disrupt operations, harm reputations, and pose health risks. According to the report, industries such as restaurants, grocery stores, hotels, warehouses, and healthcare facilities are particularly vulnerable due to factors such as food availability, high foot traffic, and storage conditions:

1. Restaurants: Food availability attracts pests like rodents and cockroaches, making these establishments prime targets for infestations.
2. Food retail: With a constant supply of food products and potential spills, grocery stores create an inviting environment for pests.
3. Hotels: High foot traffic and varying cleanliness standards can lead to pest issues, particularly bed bugs and cockroaches.
4. Warehouses: Often storing food or products, warehouses can provide plenty of hiding spots for pests, making inspections crucial.
5. Hospitals and healthcare facilities: The combination of food and waste, along with high foot traffic, makes healthcare facilities and hospitals vulnerable to pests.

Recognizing these risks empowers business and institutional owners and managers to take proactive steps to protect their properties and customers.

Terminix’s latest report highlights how pest control is a crucial consideration for businesses from coast to coast. Regardless of size or industry, all companies can benefit from an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan tailored to the business’s unique needs. Unlike traditional methods that rely on chemical treatments, IPM integrates various approaches to minimize environmental impacts and enhance long-term effectiveness.

For more information about how to protect your business, organization or institution from pests, visit Terminix.

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Visit the Efficient and Healthy Schools Program website for details on the four recognition categories, success stories from previous honorees, a fact sheet on the program and the application form itself. The deadline to submit your application is December 20. 

The recognition program also provides support for schools and districts interested in applying. Contact schools@lbl.gov for:

• One-on-one technical assistance.
• Cohorts to provide opportunities for peer-to-peer learning.
• Mentorship from previous recognition honorees.
• Tailored and packaged resources to help implement projects.

Benefits of recognition include:

In addition, EPA offers free indoor air quality (IAQ) tools for schools resources to help schools maintain a healthy indoor environment by identifying, correcting and preventing IAQ problems. Learn more about the IAQ Tools for Schools guidance and access other valuable school environmental health resources at EPA.

If you have questions about the IAQ Tools for Schools guidance, contact iaqschools@epa.gov.

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Proper disinfection of hospital rooms helps prevent the spread of germs from one patient to another. Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a significant risk to patients, and contaminated surfaces in hospitals have been linked to many of these infections, notes the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), publisher of AJIC. For example, one study found that hospital patients were nearly six times as likely to acquire an HAI when staying in the bed of a former patient who had that same infection. Many prior studies have shown that despite substantial effort and attention, hospital rooms are simply not as clean as they need to be to prevent HAIs.

In this study, clinicians tested the outcomes of hospital room sanitation performed two ways. First, they evaluated the status quo for a one-week period: environmental services (EVS) teams used regular disinfectant wipes to clean surfaces in 10 randomly selected rooms. They then educated the EVS teams about using wipes with a color additive, which shows up on surfaces as blue during cleaning but fades to clear several minutes later when force and friction is used. This creates a strong visual cue to help users see what has been cleaned with effective technique and what has not.

Finally, the EVS teams cleaned another 10 randomly chosen rooms for a week using the wipes with the color additive. For both cleaning periods, non-EVS personnel sampled 10 frequently touched surfaces for the presence of microbes before and after rooms were sanitized. Such surfaces included sink handles, bedrails, call remotes, light switches, phones, and toilet seats, among others. In addition, non-EVS staff members monitored room turnover time to determine whether the color additive had any role in the length of the cleaning process.

Results clearly demonstrated the effectiveness of using the color additive. In both weeks of the study, 92% of surfaces sampled prior to cleaning were positive for microbial colonies. After disinfection, rooms cleaned with standard wipes still had microbes present on 60% of surfaces sampled, while rooms cleaned using the color additive saw the microbial presence reduced to 31% of surfaces, a 48% improvement. A deeper analysis of the microbes that remained after cleaning showed that the use of the color additive left rooms 69.2% cleaner than the standard wipes. In addition, the additive slightly reduced the cleaning time needed, from 39.1 minutes to 36.8 minutes.

“Our study is the first to evaluate color additive-supported hospital cleaning based on microbial burden, and the first to measure impact on cleaning times,” said Olayinka Oremade, MD, MPH, CIC, lead author of the study and infection control manager at Griffin Hospital. “Collectively, our results show that providing a simple visual cue makes an enormous difference in room cleanliness, and it seems to allow cleaning teams to be a bit more efficient in the room turnover process as well.”

Additional details from the study include:

• Throughout the study, microbial sampling was performed on 400 surfaces, 200 for the control period and 200 for the color additive period. Bedrails were the most frequently sampled surface while cabinets, headboards, faucet handles and infusion pumps were the least sampled.
• The rooms cleaned in this study were located in the telemetry inpatient ward and in the medical surgical inpatient ward.
• The change in room turnover time between methods, about 6%, was not found to be statistically significant.
• The color additive used in this study is compatible with many commercially available disinfectant products.

“Effective disinfection protocols are essential for successful infection prevention and control in healthcare settings,” said Tania Bubb, PhD, RN, CIC, FAPIC, 2024 APIC president. “This study exemplifies the idea that simple but creative solutions can help us improve critical tasks associated with keeping patients safe and healthy.”

“The impact of a novel color additive for disinfectant wipes on room cleanliness and turnover time,” by Olayinka Oremade, MD, MPH, CIC (corresponding author); Barbara Odac, MD; Jinzy George, MD; and Frederick Browne, MD, MBA, FACP, GSHEA FASAM, all of Griffin Hospital, was published online in AJIC on September 19, 2024.

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The Recommendations help to identify thousands of products and services across 35 categories that conserve energy or water, include more recycled content, or reduce the use of PFAS and single-use plastics. By helping federal purchasers identify and procure environmentally preferable products and services, the Recommendations can save taxpayers money, reduce climate impacts, and prevent pollution.

The Biden-Harris Administration’s Executive Order on Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability direct federal agencies to maximize the procurement of sustainable products and services and to prioritize products and services that meet EPA’s Recommendations.

The update proposes adding 14 standards and ecolabels to the Recommendations across three new product categories, covering healthcare, laboratories, and clothing and uniforms, and expanding the existing food service ware sub-category.

Jennie Romer, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Pollution Prevention in EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, remarked:

With hundreds of ecolabels in the marketplace, EPA’s Recommendations cut through the clutter and give federal purchasers and other sustainability-conscious consumers confidence when making purchasing decisions. The ecolabels and standards that EPA includes in the Recommendations have demonstrated that they can truly help us achieve sustainability at scale. Updating the Recommendations ensures the power of federal procurement, which accounted for more than $700 billion in annual spending last year alone, continues to advance the federal government’s effort to purchase products and services that are sustainable and climate friendly.

If finalized, the updates to the Recommendations would give federal purchasers and other buyers new guidance and options for purchasing sustainable products and services in four categories, which EPA proposes to divide into nine sub-categories, including by expanding the existing sub-category for food service ware. The Recommendations currently include only one recommended ecolabel in the food service ware sub-category, which covers compostable products. If finalized, the updated Recommendations would include three additional standards and ecolabels for food service ware, covering products that are reusable, certified compostable, and certified recyclable. EPA is also providing a new resource that outlines current best practices for the procurement of food service ware sub-categories, which is available on EPA’s website.

EPA assessed the environmental sustainability of the third-party standards and ecolabels under the Framework for the Assessment of Environmental Performance Standards and Ecolabels, and also assessed for a third-party certification program to verify product conformance.

In April 2022, EPA announced stronger eligibility criteria for including standards and ecolabels in the Recommendations, which require each standard and ecolabel to have a competent third-party verification program and a current directory of qualifying products and services. EPA is proposing to remove seven standards or ecolabels because they do not meet these new requirements, are discontinued, or are no longer required by regulation.

EPA will accept public comments on the proposed updates to the Recommendations for 30 days after publication (until October 15) via docket EPA-HQ-OPPT-2022-0835 at Regulations. EPA will use feedback it receives from public comments to inform the final updates to the Recommendations.

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A new fact sheet shows that six bacterial antimicrobial-resistant hospital-onset infections increased by a combined 20% during the Covid-19 pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period, peaking in 2021, and remaining above pre-pandemic levels in 2022.

In 2022, rates for all but one of these pathogens (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA) remain above pre-pandemic levels. In addition, the number of reported clinical cases of Candida auris (C. auris) — a type of yeast that can spread in healthcare facilities, is often resistant to antifungal medications, and causes severe illness — increased nearly five-fold from 2019 to 2022.

The increases in antimicrobial resistance (AR) burden seen in 2020 and 2021 are likely due in part to the impact of Covid-19, which pushed healthcare facilities, health departments and communities near their breaking points, points out CDC. The pandemic resulted in longer hospital stays for hospitalized patients (including those diagnosed with Covid-19), challenged the implementation of infection prevention and control practices, and increased inappropriate antibiotic use.

As the pandemic continued, healthcare providers and public health professionals took aggressive action to prevent infections and protect lives, helping to reduce the burden of AR from its 2021 peak. CDC supported many of these efforts through American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) funding to health-department Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance (HAI/AR) Programs and CDC’s Antimicrobial Resistance Laboratory Network (AR Lab Network) in all U.S. states, as well as some large cities and territories.

The following groups and others offer valuable infection prevention resources for facilities managers and staff:

• CDC’s Core Infection Prevention and Control Practices for Safe Healthcare Delivery in All Settings
• Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) Educational Opportunities and other resources
• ISSA/GBAC training courses
• ASHE Webinar: “Critical Partnerships that Create Success: Infection Prevention and Facility Management”
• InfectionControl.Tips
• Health Facilities Management: “Facility managers’ role in infection control” and “A facilities approach to preventing infection: What facilities management professionals should know about health care-associated infection transmissions”

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ISSA Chief Global Membership Officer Rosie Rangel stated:

There’s no better way to express our commitment to changing the way the world views cleaning and facility solutions than literally changing how the world views the website dedicated to advancing our industry. We’re extremely pleased to launch the new ISSA.com, which has been optimized to showcase the exclusive member benefits we have to offer and delivers the crucial tools and resources industry professionals can utilize to separate themselves from their competition.

The updated website offers peer-group pages: frequently updated knowledge centers; ISSA’s latest Value of Clean report and accompanying resources designed to help further optimize the cleaning practices of ISSA members, such as downloadable infographics; and a wide range of training programs, webinars and more.

Access the revamped site at ISSA.com.

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