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    Bulk Soap Contamination

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    KaitoReal
    Recent studies evaluating bulk soap in public restroom soap dispensers have demonstrated up to 25% of open refillable bulk-soap dispensers were contaminated with ~ 6 log(10)(CFU ml(-1)) heterotrophic bacteria. In this study, plastic counter-mounted, plastic wall-mounted and stainless steel wall-mounted dispensers were analyzed for suspended and biofilm bacteria using total cell and viable plate counts. Independent of dispenser type or construction material, the bulk soap was contaminated with 4-7 log(10)(CFU ml(-1)) bacteria, while 4-6 log(10)(CFU cm(-2)) biofilm bacteria were isolated from the inside surfaces of the dispensers (n = 6). Dispenser remediation studies, including a 10 min soak with 5000 mg l(-1) sodium hypochlorite, were then conducted to determine the efficacy of cleaning and disinfectant procedures against established biofilms. The testing showed that contamination of the bulk soap returned to pre-test levels within 7-14 days. These results demonstrate biofilm is present in contaminated bulk-soap dispensers and remediation studies to clean and sanitize the dispensers are temporary.

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    Bulk Soap Contamination

    Uploaded by

    KaitoReal
    52 views13 pages
    Recent studies evaluating bulk soap in public restroom soap dispensers have demonstrated up to 25% of open refillable bulk-soap dispensers were contaminated with ~ 6 log(10)(CFU ml(-1)) heterotrophic bacteria. In this study, plastic counter-mounted, plastic wall-mounted and stainless steel wall-mounted dispensers were analyzed for suspended and biofilm bacteria using total cell and viable plate counts. Independent of dispenser type or construction material, the bulk soap was contaminated with 4-7 log(10)(CFU ml(-1)) bacteria, while 4-6 log(10)(CFU cm(-2)) biofilm bacteria were isolated from the inside surfaces of the dispensers (n = 6). Dispenser remediation studies, including a 10 min soak with 5000 mg l(-1) sodium hypochlorite, were then conducted to determine the efficacy of cleaning and disinfectant procedures against established biofilms. The testing showed that contamination of the bulk soap returned to pre-test levels within 7-14 days. These results demonstrate biofilm is present in contaminated bulk-soap dispensers and remediation studies to clean and sanitize the dispensers are temporary.

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    Recent studies evaluating bulk soap in public restroom soap dispensers have demonstrated up to 25% of open refillable bulk-soap dispensers were contaminated with ~ 6 log(10)(CFU ml(-1)) heterotrophic bacteria. In this study, plastic counter-mounted, plastic wall-mounted and stainless steel wall-mounted dispensers were analyzed for suspended and biofilm bacteria using total cell and viable plate counts. Independent of dispenser type or construction material, the bulk soap was contaminated with 4-7 log(10)(CFU ml(-1)) bacteria, while 4-6 log(10)(CFU cm(-2)) biofilm bacteria were isolated from the inside surfaces of the dispensers (n = 6). Dispenser remediation studies, including a 10 min soak with 5000 mg l(-1) sodium hypochlorite, were then conducted to determine the efficacy of cleaning and disinfectant procedures against established biofilms. The testing showed that contamination of the bulk soap returned to pre-test levels within 7-14 days. These results demonstrate biofilm is present in contaminated bulk-soap dispensers and remediation studies to clean and sanitize the dispensers are temporary.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    52 views13 pages

    Bulk Soap Contamination

    Uploaded by

    KaitoReal
    Recent studies evaluating bulk soap in public restroom soap dispensers have demonstrated up to 25% of open refillable bulk-soap dispensers were contaminated with ~ 6 log(10)(CFU ml(-1)) heterotrophic bacteria. In this study, plastic counter-mounted, plastic wall-mounted and stainless steel wall-mounted dispensers were analyzed for suspended and biofilm bacteria using total cell and viable plate counts. Independent of dispenser type or construction material, the bulk soap was contaminated with 4-7 log(10)(CFU ml(-1)) bacteria, while 4-6 log(10)(CFU cm(-2)) biofilm bacteria were isolated from the inside surfaces of the dispensers (n = 6). Dispenser remediation studies, including a 10 min soak with 5000 mg l(-1) sodium hypochlorite, were then conducted to determine the efficacy of cleaning and disinfectant procedures against established biofilms. The testing showed that contamination of the bulk soap returned to pre-test levels within 7-14 days. These results demonstrate biofilm is present in contaminated bulk-soap dispensers and remediation studies to clean and sanitize the dispensers are temporary.

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    Bulk Soap

    Contamination:
    An Unnecessary
    Public Health Risk

    Background
    Open refillable (bulk) soap is used daily by
    millions of hand washers in many
    environments including
    Public restrooms
    Schools
    Office buildings
    Restaurants
    Health & fitness clubs
    Food processing plants

    Background
    Studies have proven
    bacterial contamination of
    open refillable (bulk) soap
    dispensers.
    Open refillable (bulk) soap refers
    to liquid or foam hand soap
    commonly packaged in gallon
    containers, designed to be
    poured in to soap dispensers.

    Background - CDC
    Recommendations
    How should hand care products be stored?
    Liquid products should be stored in closed containers and
    dispensed from either disposable containers or containers
    that are washed and dried thoroughly before refilling.

    Soap should not be added to a partially empty dispenser


    because this practice of topping off might lead to bacterial
    contamination of soap and negate the beneficial effect of
    hand cleaning and disinfection.

    Background
    Every time someone
    washes their hands
    using soap from an
    open refillable
    reservoir dispenser,
    they are gambling
    with their health.
    University of Arizona
    Microbiologist Dr.
    Charles P. Gerba.

    Study Findings
    Total number of
    open refillable
    soap samples

    Number of
    samples with
    bacteria

    Number of
    samples with
    coliforms

    541

    133 (25%)

    87 (16%)

    Study Findings
    50

    Percent

    40

    Locations containing bacteria and percent of


    bacteria that were coliforms

    Bacteria
    Coliform

    39%
    33%

    30
    18%

    20

    17%

    10
    0
    Office

    Health club Foodservice

    Retail
    7

    Study Findings

    No bacteria were
    found in soap
    dispensed from
    sealed systems

    Contamination Factors
    Open dispenser design

    Bulk soap dispensers are open to the environment.

    Inadequate cleaning

    Germs can grow inside because it isnt practical for


    maintenance personnel to properly clean and sanitize
    dispensers each time they are refilled.

    Improper refilling (topping off)

    New soap can become tainted as it is added to


    contaminated soap.

    Improper preparation

    Can compromise soap preservative efficacy.

    Dilution with water

    Can compromise soap preservative efficacy.

    Health Risks
    Bacteria found in bulk soap are
    opportunistic pathogens
    Youth and immunocompromised at
    greater risk
    Opportunistic pathogens are seen in
    the following infections

    Respiratory infections
    Eye infections
    Skin infections
    Blood infections
    Urinary tract infections

    Health Risks: Bacteria Remains


    on the Hands After Washing

    Before washing with


    contaminated bulk soap

    After washing with


    contaminated bulk soap

    Solutions to Contamination
    The industry must be aligned to solve
    this problem.
    The simplest solution is to discontinue
    using open refillable (bulk) dispensers.
    Switching to systems requiring disposable
    sealed soap refills would help to avoid this
    unnecessary public health risk.

    GOJO Solution
    GOJO SANITARY SEALED
    Refill Systems
    Safe: The soap inside is protected
    from contamination because it is
    factory sealed and includes a fresh
    nozzle with each refill.
    Smart: The logical choice for
    helping prevent the spread of
    germs.

    Simple: Virtually labor free; snap


    in a new refill in seconds.

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