The ISSA Clean Standard: K-12 is specifically intended to provide scientific validation of cleaning effectiveness. That said, the development process by guided by independent and unbiased scientific research conducted by the CIRI “Science Advisory Panel”. The research included thousands of ATP measurements from high touch surfaces recognized as posing health risks in schools (i.e.: student desks, cafeteria tables, restroom sinks and stall doors). The ATP measurements were conducted in numerous schools across the United States to account for potential geographic or climatic variations

The details of the research are set forth in “ATP as a Marker for Surface Contamination of Biological Origin in Schools and as a Potential Approach to the Measurement of Cleaning Effectiveness,” as published in the June 2013 issue of Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene by Shaughnessy and Cole, et.al. Each school selected its own cleaning method which was then rigorously monitored for compliance by research personnel. Following cleaning, sampling procedures were conducted on the cleaned surface.