The soap
in one of four refillable bulk soap dispensers in public
restrooms is contaminated, according to studies conducted by academic
researchers.1 New studies show that contaminated soap contributes
to unsafe conditions beyond the dispenser, because contaminants stay on
hands. Even worse, these contaminants can be transferred from washed
hands to other surfaces, according to an independent laboratory that is a
leading resource for antimicrobial product testing.
The soap in contaminated dispensers contains potential disease-causing
organisms including Klebsiella pneumoniae (which could cause
pneumonia, bronchitis, and other respiratory infections), and Serratia
marcescens (which could cause infections of blood, wounds, eye infections,
urinary tract and the respiratory tract).
To analyze whether or not bacteria is transferred to other surfaces by
hands washed with contaminated soap, two separate studies were conducted.
The studies evaluated the presence of bacteria on the hands of
people who washed their hands with contaminated soap, and assessed
the potential of bacteria being transferred from hands to another surface.
Study participants’ hands were tested for contamination using a modified
method specified by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Common skin cleanser detergents contaminated with the Klebsiella
pneumoniae and Serratia marcescens organisms were used. Study
participants were tested for these two bacteria, and then washed
their hands using one of three different soaps: uncontaminated
hand soap, soap contaminated with Klebsiella pneumoniae, or soap
contaminated with Serratia marcescens. To replicate conditions
typically found in bulk soap dispensers in public restrooms, the
level of contamination in the soap was varied, and two different
hand washing techniques were used. The amount of bacteria
present on each hand before and after hand washing was measured.
Results
Study results showed that participants who washed their hands
with uncontaminated soap had none of the contaminating bacteria
on their hands after washing. For those who washed their hands
with the tainted soap, these bacteria were present on their
hands after hand washing, especially when there was a high level
of soap contamination.
Solution
It is known that washing hands with contaminated bulk soap
results in contamination of the hands. This research also shows
that bacteria left on hands after the use of contaminated soap
can be transferred to other surfaces. This is also substantiated
by other published literature.2,3
“Bulk hand soap dispensers are susceptible to contamination, and
can contain unsafe levels of bacteria. There is no protocol for
cleaning and sanitizing these refillable dispensers. Even when
someone attempts to clean a bulk soap dispenser, it is
time-consuming and impractical. Facilities managers cannot trust
that bulk soap dispensers are free of bacterial contamination,”
said Nicole Koharik, marketing manager, GOJO Industries, maker
of products and programs to kill germs on hands and solve skin
care-related problems.
“We have suspected for some time that bacteria stays on hands
washed with contaminated soap from bulk dispensers, and this
study confirms our fears. Bulk soap contamination is an
unnecessary health risk,” said Koharik. “The need to use
factory-sealed containers for hand soap in public restrooms,
rather than dispensing bulk soap through reusable, fillable
containers, is a healthier choice –and some might say the only
choice— in order to avoid the bacterial contamination of hands
and of surfaces touched by those hands.” ❑
For more information about the study, go to http://www.gojo.com/
or contact Angela Watkins, communications & media relations
manager, 330-255-6612, email
watkinsa@GOJO.com.
1. Gerba, C.P. et al, The Occurrence of Heterotrophic Bacteria,
Coliforms, and Staphylococcus Aureus in Liquid Soap Samples From
Public Restrooms. Unpublished study 2006. Bacterial
Contamination of Liquid Hand Soaps. Unpublished Study. 2007
University of Arizona.
2. Sartor, C. et al, Nosocomial Serratia marcescens Infections
Associated with Extrinsic Contamination of a Liquid Nonmedicated
Soap. Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology. 2000,
21:196-199.
3. Casewell, M., Phillips, I. Hands as route of
Transmission for Klebsiella Species. British Medical Journal.
1977, 2:1315-1317.
