Green Options » germs

Back to School: Toilet Seats are Cleaner Than Cafeteria Trays!

Jennifer Lance — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:51:56 +0000

Unless your children attend a really cool school with organic, farm to school lunches, you probably pack your child’s lunch each day. That’s a good thing, when considering how clean cafeteria trays are compared to toilet seats. It’s a shocker, but it’s true.

According to a study conducted by NSF International, cafeteria trays contain more germs than toilet seats!

Germ Stop reports on the NSF findings:

– Drinking water fountain spigots had the highest amount of bacteria on the tested surfaces — 2.7 million bacterial cells per square inch.

– A cafeteria tray had more than 10 times as many germs as a toilet seat (33,800 bacterial cells per square inch vs. 3,200 bacterial cells per square inch).

– A student’s hand had 1,500 bacterial cells per square inch.

– Commonly cleaned areas, such as desks and doorknobs had fewer germs (19 bacterial cells per square inch and 5 bacterial cells per square inch respectively), while computer keyboards and ear phones had significantly more at 260 bacterial cells per square inch and 740 bacterial cells per square inch, respectively.

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The Potential Dangers of Vicks VapoRub

Amy Bell — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 16:28:45 +0000

According to a study appearing in this month’s issue of Chest, the peer-reviewed journal of the American College of Chest Physicians, products such as Vicks VapoRub may stimulate mucus production and airway inflammation, which can have serious negative effects on infants and young children.

The ingredients in Vicks can be irritants which cause the body to produce more mucus in order to protect the airway. In children, whose airways are much more narrower than adults, this could lead to severe respiratory distress.

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Top 10 Places That Harbor Cold and Flu Viruses in Your Home

Derek Markham — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 19:58:11 +0000

We’re rapidly approaching cold and flu season, and for families, this can mean passing it back and forth from child to parent to child.

Find the hot spots for germs in your house so you can wipe them out…

According to a new study by the University of Virginia, household surfaces can spread common cold and flu viruses from person to person, with some germs lingering for days. This can mean a world of misery for families, so start today to keep those places sanitized.

What are the most common places for harboring germs?

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Shoes Transmit Disease, Leave Them by the Door

Susan Vallee — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 21:45:36 +0000

Dr. Charles Gerba, a microbiologist and professor at the University of Arizona, joined forces with shoemaker Rockport to study what types of microorganisms are transported by footwear. Ten people were given a brand new pair of shoes to use for two weeks before having them tested for bacteria.

After two weeks, more than 420,000 units of bacteria were found on the outside of the test shoes. Of that bacteria, 27% were deadly E. Coli virus. Also detected was Klebsiella pneumonia, which can cause pneumonia and wound and bloodstream infections and Serratia ficaria, which can lead to infection of the respiratory tract.

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Natural Hand Sanitizer That is Safe for Children

Jennifer Lance — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 19:39:12 +0000

One challenge of working in a rural school is the well water! About two months ago, my school failed its safe drinking water test. While we awaited for a new water tank, UV filter, etc., we became dependent upon hand sanitizer and wipes to keep the children’s hands clean. Most commercial hand sanitizers contain a large amount of alcohol, which can cause accidental alcohol poisoning or intoxication in children, besides these products are unpleasant to smell. Since my son was in the hospital in August, I have carried around EO Hand Sanitizer in my purse. Although this product is made with organic lavender and smells wonderful, it leaves a film on my hands that I can’t stand. Recently, I discovered CleanWell Hand Sanitizer and Wipes.

CleanWell products are all natural and kill 99.99% of germs naturally with a combination of plant oils called “Ingenium”. The active ingredient on the labels of both the CleanWell Hand Sanitizer and Wipes is thyme oil. The company was founded by a concerned father whose son was born with an immune system disorder. CleanWell Sanitizer is a spray, which mists a light layer of the product on your skin. There is no strange residue left on your hands, and it leaves your skin soft. My son, who has super sensitive skin, has not had any negative reactions to CleanWell products. Of course, CleanWell’s products are not tested on animals. The Hand Wipes are strong and large, and in fact, I think you could clean several children’s hands with them before tossing them. You can read CleanWell’s excellent blog by clicking here.

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