Minnesota researcher receives award for improving food service worker safety

Chemist Steven E. Lentsch, Ph.D., of Ecolab Inc., in Mendota Heights, Minn., will be honored June 11 by the world's largest scientific society for developing a safer, more environmentally friendly dishwashing system for commercial kitchens. He will receive one of four 2001 Industrial Innovation Awards at the American Chemical Society's Central/Great Lakes joint regional meeting in Grand Rapids, Mich.

"Steve is the top commercial scientist at Ecolab with an impressive track record of innovation and commercial impact," said Mary Schumacher, senior vice president and chief technical officer at Ecolab Inc., of Lentsch's 26-year career.

Lentsch has developed an industrial dishwashing system, the GeoSystemŽ 9000, that uses a non-corrosive, tablet form of detergent that is easier and safer for food service workers to handle. The tablet has many environmental benefits, too: it takes less energy to produce than conventional detergent, requires 98 percent less packaging, and produces wastewater with fewer harmful chemicals.

The American Chemical Society's Industrial Innovation Awards recognize individuals and teams whose discoveries and inventions contribute to the commercial success of their companies and enhance our quality of life.

Steven E. Lentsch, Ph.D., is principal product development program leader of formulation and technology platforms at Ecolab Inc. He received his B.A. in chemistry from the University of St. Thomas in 1969, his M.S. in chemistry from Western Illinois University in 1973, and his Ph.D. in chemistry from Texas A&M University in 1974. He also received an M.B.A. from the University of St. Thomas in 1977. He resides in St. Paul, Minn.