The Infection Risks That Are Associated with the Second-Hand Clothing and the Household Linens - Case Study Example

SAFETY, HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT By: Course: Tutor: University: Date: TABLE OF CONTENT THE TOPIC…………………………………………………………………3 RATIONALE……………………………………………………………….3-4 AIM……………………………………………………………………………4 OBJECTIVE……………………………………………………………………5 HYPOTHESIS………………………………………………………………….5 THE RESEARCH STRATEGY……………………………………………….5-9 SWOT ANALYSIS………………………………………………………………..9 STRENGTHS……………………………………………………………..9 WEAKNESSESS…………………………………………………………..9 OPPORTUNITIES…………………………………………………………10 THREATS……………………………………………………………………11 GANTT CHART……………………………………………………………………13 REFERENCES………………………………………………………………………15 THE TOPIC Discuss the Infection risks that are associated with the second hand clothing and the household linens. RATIONALE The purpose of the dissertation is to examine the microbial noxious waste of the already used clothes and linen. 60 samples of various used clothes such as pants, children wears and the women bra were sampled in different markets whereby the research analyzed the microbial pollutant. The study therefore showed that the second hand markets clothes comprise of great number of microbial load. Mostly, the most affected people are women and children, since their second hand clothes bought from these markets are densely infected by pathogens thus increasing the chances for the unhealthiness to the victims. When mentioning second hand clothes (SHC), mainly these are clothing pieces already used by the first person before the current user possesses it (Didymus, 2012). Some of these pieces include; panties, skirts, socks, shirts, bedding, towels, curtains, pillowcases and table clothes among others (Didymus, 2012). The biggest source of these clothes to UK is West and Asia (Adow, 2012; Oyekanne, 2012). However, the most known exporter of the second hand clothes worldwide is United States of America, seconded by Germany. On the other hand, United Kingdom (U.K), and Netherlands, South East Asia, Sahara African and Eastern Europe are said to be the most recognized markets for the importation of second hand clothes (Wallander, 2011). Second hand clothes are much risky to health of human being. Due to antecedents, and the prevalent use of the second hand clothe items, the humanity is posed to a main health risk. For instance, the realization of the contribution of the second hand clothe items towards health hazards, prompted the Rwanda Bureau Standard to shun off the import of already used garments in Rwanda (Kamama, 2013). Mostly important, the second hand clothes have a high chance of spreading disease especially candidiasis, skin diseases like ringworms, scabies, all types of hepatitis (A, B and C) (Sharifzada, 2011; NAN, 2012). The documentation by Bloomfield demonstrated the capability of this second hand clothes items to keep hold of bacteria, viruses and fungi agents for an anecdotal duration of time (Bloomfield et. al., 2011). Obviously, second hand clothes are susceptible to retain as well as transmit microorganisms carried from the initial user to the current user of such garments. However, the use of detergents and antiseptic measures to treat such clothe pieces has positively demonstrated substantial disinfection. No doubt that the effectiveness of this process of disinfection is determined by a number of variables (Muthaini et. al., 2010). AIM The sole aim of this dissertation paper is examine the review concerning the infection dangers allied with second hand clothing along with household linens (towels, bed linen and others). This involves information on the manner in which and the level at what these second hand clothing items turn out to be imputed with infectious agents, their survival tactics and spread. The paper also investigates the epidemiological data as well as the information derived from the quantitative risk representation systems examining the connectivity flanged between the laundry cleaningness along with contagious disease dangers. The level at which the dangers that are connected to the second hand clothing is as well assessed in respect to the risks related surfaces. THE OBJECTIVE The purpose of this dissertation is to understand the diffusion of infection through second hand clothing, domestic linens as well as laundry. To identify the origin of the infection on the second hand clothing as well as family linens. To evaluate the nature and the occurrence of the pathogen infections upon the second hand garments and the domestic clothing. HYPOTHESIS Second hand clothes are much risky to health of human being. Due to antecedents, and the prevalent use of the second hand clothe items, the humanity is posed to a main health risk. The diseases contracted through the secondary use of the clothes are deadly and highly contagious. Therefore, the UK countries should ban the second hand clothing markets to avoid such diseases. THE RESEARCH STRATEGY The research was conducted through BS EN 14065; a European standard describing an administrative system for giving an assurance the microbiological quality of manufactured clothing. The UK Department of Health “Choice Framework for Local Policy and Procedures” suggests that this standard system applies the Risk Analysis and Biocontainment Control (RABC) perspective to make sure that the processed clothing has sustainable microbial quality always. Gibson et al. uses Quantitative Microbial Risk (QMRA) as an instrumental approach responsible for evaluating the effects of second hand clothing usage and the prevention measures for the infection transmission. Also the instrument estimates the comparative infection dangers that are linked with the second hand clothing. The review was modeled to create devolution of Shigella from hand-to-mouth and subsequently examine the effect of it towards the second hand clothing usage. To conduct this danger assessment on second hand clothing, information comprising the concentration of the infectious agents’ o clothing, and contagion of ingested pathogens were derived from the literature, subsequently; the data was screened and was used to create possibility distributions. The data gotten from the literature shows the substantial dangers for bacterial, viral and fungal infections carriage through the second hand clothing and the domestic garments. The information is derived from two origins: Firstly, the data was gotten from microbiological reviews exhibiting the manner in which these pathogens are transmitted to clothing during the common day-to-day life activities and the level to which such pathogenic agents can thrive, spread and survive contaminated cloth to body surfaces to an extent we can be susceptible to potentially stable infectious doses. Secondly, it comes from observational studies of documented cases or outbreaks of infection which were carried out to elucidate likely sources or mode of transmission. The degree of the hazard coupled with second hand clothing and home linens is evaluated by assessing the microbiological records concerning the stages of the diffusion succession. Pathogens that are mostly evident on or transmitted through the second hand clothing along with household garments originate from varying sources. Some of the most tangible sources are microbial agents mainly found on the human skin and the faecal flora. On the other hand, the other possible source of the clothing contamination is respiratory viruses that are normally present in tainted mucous and watery discharges from the eyes. Enteric pathogenic agents found on the second hand clothing may originate from impure foodstuffs, caring an infected member of the family and looking after animals. The transmission of these pathogens normally occurs directly when the infected clothing come into contact with the body, unhygienic food surfaces. However, it is similarly probable to happen by relocate from these springs to clothing by use of hands. In addition, in case the laundry course of action fails to get rid of contamination agents from dirty clothing, these agents can diffuse to the adjacent items within the laundry load, and in this manner pass on a disease to other family members. It is implausible that virus or bacterial agents that causes contamination on garments (separately from desiccation-challenging strains like S. aureus and C. difficile) originates when a person get in touch with furniture such as chairs, and spaces on communal transport. This is possible because these places are the dwelling places for the pathogenic bacteria and viruses. However in Boone and Gerba (2010) study, they reported segregation of human being par influenza virus from furniture in the office buildings. A quantitative analyzes concerning the infection dangers related to second hand clothing and the household garments was conducted using the QMRA studies. The information was produced by Gerba together with his co-workers. The data suggested that there is risk of contracting shigellosis when a person comes into contact with clothing that immediately from launder. Given 0.1g of faecal pollution currently in the consignment, were premeditated as far above 10 per million populace to much subordinate intensities allied with inferior seepage tolls of the bacteria in the faeces. The authors of this literature concluded by saying that; “Whereas the number of cases potentially acquired through handling contaminated laundry is estimated through this example as rare events, this estimate was for a single pathogen and a one-time exposure and likely underestimates the risk”. P.g 437 Despite the fact that risk modeling is the most significant approach towards the prevention and control measures of the second hand clothing infection, has considerable restrictions because of the multi-factorial temperament of contamination conduction and the small number of data to identify representation parameters. This risk modeling illustrates how a comparatively diminutive reduction of the infection on the surface of the clothing. The illustration is deemed to be insignificant in stipulations of individual natives, however, is translated to cause significant reduction of the risk of infectivity contained by a national populace. For instance, Gibson et al., predicted a 90 percent decrease in the likelihood of spread of shigella from unhygienic clothing in the course of “normal” laundering while anticipated to bring into being 88.9 percent reduction in contagion on laundered pieces of clothing, when compared and contrasted with a 99% decline by application of a sanitizing detergent which is approximated to generate 99.9 percent decrease in infections on laundered items. The ultimate information that was generated on the contributory relationship between cleanliness and transmittable infection rates domestically and in day after day life settings is lay down out of the 2011 IFH account on the series of diseases conduction in domicile and everyday life backgrounds. These figures make obvious a physically powerful underlying link flanked by hygiene moreover transmittable ailment spread in residence and day by day life settings which is well recognized during an assortment of intercession reviews evaluating solitary involvement like hand sanitation and home water treatment, or amalgamation of environmental sanitation procedures with or not including hand hygiene. Even though these facts over and over again give an idea about the permutation of ecological actions and the noteworthy impact they have on disease malady rates. They provide no information about the impact of an explicit intervention like facade sanitation either one by one, or comparative to each other, or virtual to hand cleanliness. SWOT ANALYSIS Strengths The access to the markets that import the second hand clothing was easy and conducive. The study was supported by the people around the place where there were very negligible obstacles for the conduction of the study. There was substantial and extensive background knowledge on the infection problem of the second hand clothing and the methodology know-how of the appropriate instrumental application towards the similar issue in Rwanda. The knowledge of data collection such as quantitative and qualitative analysis and the questionnaire usage from the books and the previous dissertations made. The presence of the technical skills and competencies in statistical and arithmetic analysis for the aftermaths of the research study. Weaknesses Despite all the advantages and the strengths of the dissertation report, unfortunately, the data generated is not adequate to conduct the quantitative assessment concerning the dangers in regards to the impacts of enhancing an effectual laundry performance on infection rates. Even though it give the impression of the risk being significant, the “daily life risks” are in all probability to some extent fewer compared to those related with hands, hand contact and foodstuff contact facades and washing clothing that are viewed as the chief channels of infectivity transmission. More importantly, the information demonstrates that in a number of situations i.e. where somebody in the quarters is tainted, or there is somebody with abridged invulnerability to contamination, the contagion risks can to a large extent increase. The resources are required to perform the study and particularly the laboratory testing of the infections available in the second hand clothing that are traded. These resources are expensive to acquire therefore, the research was not to the maximum satisfactory. The financial cost for every test and laboratory procedure is comparatively high that eventually may restrict the volume of the sample for the dissertation study. The research study will be carried out over a limited time span of around nine months thus the outcomes cannot be maximally exhausted. Opportunities The data that is generated from this dissertation report point toward the role played by the second clothing and household linens in transmitting the contagious diseases both domestically along with day by day life settings especially during usual on a daily basis activities. The study found in this dissertation provided the opportunity for the health care’s and the people concerned people to understand and comprehend the manner in which the second hand clothes cause the infection that is passed from the initial user to the current user of the garment infected. The literature review conducted during the presentation of the dissertation report helps the victims to identify the origin of the infection on the second hand clothing as well as family linens. With this kind of background knowledge, the health care facilitators can be able to monitor the infections through the recommended antiseptics and detergents. The dissertation is able to evaluate the nature and the occurrence of the pathogen infections upon the second hand garments and the domestic clothing. Therefore, the people have knowledge on the causal, origin, the spread and the nature of the infections that are found in the second hand clothing and their correspondent preventions and controls. Threats The final information of the research suggests that the supreme risks transpire instantaneously after the body come into contact with a contaminated source. Although the dangers diminish while the numbers of feasible units progressively turn down, indications shows that pathogenic agents can persevere on the clothing surfaces for a number of hours; for viruses as well as the Gram negative bacteria, can stay for days and even sometimes weeks for desiccation-resistant strains such as S. aureus, C. difficile. Most predominantly, the information demonstrates that conduction by means of clothing along with domestic linen contribute significantly in the spread of S. aureus infections, MRSA included too. In particular, the information put forward that clothing and domestic linens are imperative threat dynamics for the broadening of S. aureus (both antibiotic responsiveness and defiant strains). Risks are likely to be greater than before in rising country circumstances where clothing etc. is cleaned by hand, at ambient temperatures, in water which may be abhorrently contaminated. The preponderance of the information accessible in this report is obtained from developed country conditions. Figure 1 – Positioning of areas and sites in the home based on risk of transmission of infections Objectives 2015-2016 2016 2016 2016 A R&D/Testing Specific Aims Dec Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept       1 AIM 1: Prototype Development (e.g.)                                                                                                   1.1 Sub Task                                                                                                   1.2 Sub Task                                                                                                   2 AIM 2: Proof of Principle studies (e.g.)                                                                                                   2.1 - initial experiment A                                                                                                   2.2 - initial experiment B                                                                                                   3 AIM 3                                                                                                   3.1 Sub Task                                                                                                   3.2 Sub Task                                                                                                   4 AIM 4                                                                                                   4.1 Sub Task                                                                                                   4.2 Sub Task                                                                                                   B IP/Commercialization Strategy                                                                                                   1 Goal 1: IP/Commercialization Meeting (e.g.)                                                                                                   2 Goal 2: Provisional patent filing (e.g.)                                                                                                   3 Goal 3: etc                                                                                                   C Regulatory Strategy                                                                                                   1 Goal 1: Initial Regulatory Planning w Consultant                                                                                                   2 Task 9: Analysis of the data                                                                                                   3 Goal 2: Regulatory Submission                                                                                                   D Follow on Funding Plan                                                                                                   1 Business Plan Development                                                                                                   2 Apply for additional grant(s) (A, B, C) (e.g.)                                                                                                   3 Engage Commercial partner                                                                                                   4 Task 12                                                                                                     Completed   Projected Figure 1: A Gantt chart for the Dissertation. Task 1: Identification of the research markets areas Task 2: The literature review to gain the background knowledge of the research Task 3: Creation and development of the research hypothesis Task 4: Formulating the research strategy and methodological approach Task 5: The start of screening the literature review Task 6: Data collection Task 7: The laboratory tests for the pathogens available in second hand clothing Task 8: Pathogenic agent determination Task 9: Data analysis Task 10: The discussion of the data obtained Task 11: Data presentation Task 12: The writing of the dissertation REFERENCE Adow, M (2012).Nigeria second hand clothes industry thrives Availablefrom http:// blogs.aljazeera.com/blog/Africa Nigeria Bloomfield SF, Exner M, Fara GM, Nath KJ, Scott EA and Van der Voorden C. (2009). International Scientific Forum on Home Hygiene. The global burden of hygiene-related diseases in relation to the home and community. Available from: Didymus,J.T(2012).Second hand clothes trade booming in Nigerias flea market.Digital journal, Gibson LL, Rose JB and Haas CN (2009). Use of quantitative microbial risk assessment for evaluation of the benefits of laundry sanitation. American Journal of Infection Control. http://www.ifh- homehygiene.org/IntegratedCRD.nsf/111e68ea0824afe1802575070003f039/29858aa006faaa22802572970064b6e8?OpenDocument International Scientific Forum on Home Hygiene 2013. Hygiene procedures in the home and their effectiveness: a review of the scientific evidence base. Available from: http://www.ifh-homehygiene.org/IntegratedCRD.nsf/f5236e2da2822fef8025750b000dc985/c9bf235b5d76ad09802572970063c5d8?OpenDocument. International Scientific Forum on Home Hygiene 2011 The chain of infection transmission in the home and everyday life settings, and the role of hygiene in reducing the risk of infection. Available from: http://www.ifh-homehygiene.org/IntegratedCRD.nsf/111e68ea0824afe1802575070003f039/9df1597d905889868025729700617093?OpenDocument Larson E and Aiello AE (2010). Systematic risk assessment methods for the infection control professional. American Journal of Infection Control. S. Bloomfield et al. (2013). The infection risks associated with clothing and household linens in home and everyday life settings, and the role of laundry. International Scientific Forum on Home Hygiene (2013). Wallander, M (2011).A second life for unwanted clothing. http://mhuffpost.com/us/entry 914723 Read More