Healthcare facilities face the challenge of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In this context, the use of surface disinfectant wipes as a component of infection control requires special consideration. This study examined options for using disinfectant wipes that ensure a favourable eco-balance without compromising patient or occupational safety. User application routines and laboratory test parameters were considered. The study comprised a clinical observational study and complementary laboratory analyses. Laboratory tests evaluated three different alcohol-based wipe types and assessed surface coverage and liquid release on different surfaces. The risk of persistent microbial contamination of the wipe after use and the risk of microbial transfer from wipe to gloved hand was investigated. In the observational study, 69 wipe procedures were recorded across three clinical departments. The cellulose-based wipe demonstrated superior surface coverage compared with two different wipes, with double-ply application consistently outperforming single-ply use across all wipes and all tested surfaces. The wipes fulfilled efficacy criteria even at the end of their wiping range. Transfer risk evaluation indicated that microorganisms may remain viable within the wipe and can be transferred onto gloves. Clinical observations further revealed substantial variability in folding and wiping techniques. This study highlights key aspects of surface coverage and handling-related variability, and contamination risks associated with disinfectant wipe use. The findings underscore the importance of proper wipe handling and glove use to support sustainable use of ready-to-use wipes while maintaining infection prevention standards.
Lead home investigations following the confirmation of a lead-poisoned child in the home require a lead-certified technician using an X-ray-fluorescence (XRF) portable analyzer, but XRFs are not always available. Colorimetric surface wipes that immediately change color on a gradient from yellow-to-red with lead could address this gap, but they have not been tested or utilized extensively in non-occupational settings. To understand the usability of colorimetric wipes in lead home investigations with different potential sources of lead. We collected 104 colorimetric wipes to assess lead levels on surfaces from nine homes and seven vehicles from lead-exposed construction workers living with children. Colorimetric wipe results (n = 81) were compared with inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy laboratory analysis. Lead was detected on 46(58%) of home surface wipes, with highest percentage of red wipes from surfaces in kitchen, followed by entrance, living room, bedroom, and laundry room samples. For vehicle surface wipes, 17 (71%) detected lead, with the highest percent of red wipes in the trunk, followed by back and front seat areas. Wipe color readings were significantly and positively correlated with laboratory analysis (Kendall's τ = 0.42). At the 18 μg/sample threshold (i.e., level at which the wipe is expected to turn pink/red), the method showed high specificity (87%), moderate accuracy (78%), high negative predictive value (87%), and low false positive rate (13%). Of the wipes above 10 µg/sample public-health lead guideline, 80% changed color, suggesting high sensitivity. The dissemination of colorimetric wipes for lead home investigations can reduce costs and improve the immediate screening of lead dust-contaminated surfaces in residential settings. Colorimetric wipes proved invaluable in identifying sources from lead take-home and lead-in-paint in the homes and vehicles of lead-exposed construction workers.
This study aimed to investigate the impact of different types of baby wipes on the barrier recovery of compromised skin after repeated wiping. The forearm skin of adult females was compromised through repeated tape-stripping. Baby wipes with different compositions and water and cloth were used to repeatedly wipe the compromised forearm skin. The health of the skin barrier was evaluated by transepidermal water loss and erythema over the course of 5 days. Skin wiped with pH-buffered baby wipes containing emollients had better barrier health in comparison to skin wiped with baby wipes lacking these features. Additionally, one of the pH-buffered wipes with emollients was gentler on compromised skin than the other baby wipes, as well as water and cloth and performed similarly to unwiped skin. Baby wipes composition can affect the barrier health of compromised skin after wiping.
Bloodstain pattern types, such as wipes and swipes, are frequently encountered at crime scenes and can offer critical insight into the sequence of events. However, these pattern types can be difficult to reliably distinguish, highlighting the need for modern, objective approaches to classification that reduce the potential for human error. In this study, 50 participants were asked to classify 40 test bloodstain pattern images (20 wipes and 20 swipes). These same images were subsequently classified using Microsoft Azure Custom Vision (MACV), an artificial intelligence (AI) image recognition platform. The MACV model was trained using 5425 bloodstain pattern images, including impact, expirated, cessation cast-off, wipe, and swipe stains, across a range of background colors. At the 50th training iteration, the AI achieved 100% accuracy in classifying both wipe and swipe patterns, outperforming participants who achieved an average accuracy of 52% (47% for wipes and 57% for swipes), marking a 48% improvement in classification performance. The model was further trained to the 80th iteration using rotated images, achieving 98.75% accuracy on the rotated test set.
Xylitol is widely used in caries prevention and has been shown to reduce cariogenic activity in children. However, limited evidence exists regarding the effectiveness of xylitol wipes in infants and toddlers. To investigate the effect of xylitol wipes on cariogenic activity in infants and toddlers. This prospective, longitudinal, single–arm interventional study included 20 healthy, caries–free children aged 9 months to 1.5 years. Mothers were instructed to wipe their children’s teeth with xylitol wipes (Spiffies Baby Tooth Wipes™) three times daily for four weeks. Salivary samples were collected at baseline and weekly follow–up visits. Cariogenic activity was assessed by measuring lactic acid production using a chairside kit (Clinpro Cario L–Pop), and salivary mutans streptococci (MS) levels were determined using the CRT bacteria caries risk test. A highly significant reduction in salivary lactic acid levels was observed after one week of xylitol wipe use (P < 0.0001). A significant reduction in MS counts was observed by the fourth week (P = 0.02). Daily application of xylitol wipes reduced cariogenic activity in young children, suggesting that this delivery method may be a practical preventive approach during early childhood. This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT07245433) on 14 November 2025.
Synthetic antioxidants (SAs), a group of emerging contaminants, have attracted great attention recently due to their widespread environmental occurrence and potential toxicity. Yet, there is a knowledge gap regarding their occurrence and associated infant exposure in baby wipes, one of the most frequently used baby products. Here, we analyzed SAs-including synthetic phenolic antioxidants (SPAs) and organophosphite antioxidants (OPAs)-along with their transformation products in baby wipes. Eleven SPAs and five OPAs were detected in baby wipes from different countries (median total concentration: 3.09 ×103 ng g-1), indicating that SA contamination in baby wipes is a common issue, regardless of the wipe type (non-woven fabric-based and wood pulp-based wipes) and manufacturer. The dominant SAs detected in the samples were pentaerythritol tetrakis(3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)-propionate) (AO1010), tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphite (TDtBPPi), and TDtBPPi-derived novel organophosphate ester tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphate (TDtBPP). Based upon the concentrations detected, the annual uses of SAs in baby wipes worldwide is estimated as 6.7 tons, suggesting that discarded baby wipes can be a source of environmental SAs. While our preliminary exposure assessment indicates that SAs and their transformation products pose low health risks to infants, this work highlights the importance of investigating the occurrence and risks of more emerging contaminants including SAs in baby products.
The microbiome is increasingly recognized as a key factor in health. Intestinal microbiota modulates gut homeostasis via a range of diverse metabolites. In particular, molecules such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), the microbial fermentation products of dietary fiber, have been established to be reflective of microbiome and/or dietary shifts, and SCFAs alterations have been linked to multiple gastrointestinal disorders, from cancer to colitis. Despite their potential as biomarkers, technical challenges in stool collection have limited clinical translation. Here, we present Stool Wipe (S'Wipe), an ultra-low-cost fecal collection method using lint-free, mass spectrometry (MS)-compatible cellulose wipes as toilet paper. Specimens are preserved in ethanol without refrigeration and can be shipped via regular mail. Mass spectrometry analysis demonstrated that S'Wipe captures both volatile and non-volatile metabolites with reproducibility and stability validated for diagnostically relevant molecules. We show that S'Wipe performs equivalently to direct stool collection, enabling interchangeable use and comparison with existing studies. This methodology is ideally suited for large-scale population studies, longitudinal tracking, and personalized medicine applications. Gut microbiome and intestinal metabolome present invaluable diagnostic and therapeutic targets. However, conventional stool testing has several barriers, limiting bioassessment from populations. Routine, high-temporal-resolution monitoring of stool metabolome, including extensively validated and broadly informative biomarkers such as short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), is not implemented due to relatively high cost and inconvenience of sampling, possible need for clinical setting for sample collection, difficulty in collecting samples reproducibly-especially due to potential for user errors-requirement for freezer storage and maintenance of the cold chain during shipment. We present a sampling strategy specifically designed to overcome these obstacles. We demonstrate how this method can enable capturing accurate molecular snapshots at massive scales, at ultra-low cost. The approach collapses complex medical-grade collection into easy self-administration. Individuals can thereby self-monitor therapeutic responses through routine metabolome tracking, including the volatilome, otherwise hindered by infrastructure restrictions. Ultimately, this sampling approach is intended to enable participatory wellness transformation through practical high-frequency self-sampling.
The environmental degradation and fate of cellulose-based 'biodegradable' wet wipes under real-world conditions remain underexplored, particularly in urban freshwater systems where they are frequently discharged via toilet flushing. Building on previous mesocosm-based experiment, this study quantified in-situ degradation of two commercially available cellulose-based wipes labelled 'biodegradable' across ten urban rivers and streams and identified key environmental drivers of degradation. Tensile strength loss was used as a proxy measurement for wipe degradation alongside cotton strip bioassays as ecological benchmarks. Wipes rich in natural cellulose degraded substantially faster (Brand A: 6.69 ± 3.19 % per day) than those dominated by regenerated cellulose (Brand B: 3.12 ± 1.93 % per day) or cotton bioassay controls (2.22 ± 1.00 % per day). Degradation rates were shaped by microbial biomass, total dissolved solids, temperature, and river-level fluctuations, although exposure duration had the largest effect - suggesting complex interactions between physical and biological processes. Despite early-stage degradation, most wipes persisted after five weeks, challenging their biodegradability claims. These findings highlight potential ecological risks from persistent textile fibre pollution, emphasising the need for updated labelling and biodegradability standards that appropriately reflect real-world freshwater conditions, as well as greater scrutiny of plastic-free alternative products and their environmental fates in general.
Introduction/Rationale for Study: This retrospective, observational analysis evaluated real-world hazardous drug (HD) surface wipe test data collected from U.S. healthcare facilities following implementation of a closed-system transfer device (CSTD). Methods: Wipe test submissions collected between 2018 and 2022 were analyzed to characterize the frequency, magnitude, and distribution of HD contamination across hospital systems, care locations, and drug analytes under routine clinical practice conditions. Although pre-implementation (baseline) wipe data were not available, this analysis reflects real-world effectiveness of CSTD use in minimizing detectable HD surface contamination within participating facilities. Results: Among 5531 wipe samples analyzed, 4.45% demonstrated measurable contamination, with the majority originating from two hospital systems. Higher contamination frequencies were observed in patient administration rooms and infusion areas compared with other locations, with 5-fluorouracil demonstrating higher contamination frequency relative to other analytes. Conclusion: An independent statistical analysis corroborated the initial Sponsor findings, confirming that using the CSTD significantly minimizes contamination and the potential for HD exposure risks. Variability in contamination across facilities and locations highlights the need for standardized cleaning protocols and clear standards for acceptable limits in hazardous drug handling. Overall, these data provide insight into HD contamination patterns observed during routine clinical use of a CSTD and support continued optimization of handling practices, along with prospective studies employing standardized wipe protocols and pre/post implementation designs.
Antibiotics are handled in large amounts at hospitals at many different wards due to the wide range of bacterial infections that are treated. Unnecessary use and occupational exposure to antibiotics should be avoided due to the risk of bacterial resistance development and adverse health effects including skin and respiratory hypersensitivity reactions in persons handling these drugs. To develop a wipe test method for sampling and quantification of surface contaminations of antibiotics, to assess the current contamination levels in Swedish hospitals, and to propose hygienic guidance values for antibiotics based on these measurements. A screening wipe test method and subsequent mass spectrometric analysis of 6 of the most frequently used antibiotics in healthcare was developed and applied in a screening campaign of 16 hospital wards. Wipe tests were sampled from surfaces such as workbenches, floors, storage shelves and handles in medicine rooms, patient rooms, rinsing rooms, utility rooms and corridors. Antibiotics were detected in most of the samples (cefotaxime 84% positive samples, piperacillin 81%, cloxacillin 65%, metronidazole 53%, ciprofloxacin 20%, and penicillin V 14%). Median values ranged from not detected up to 160 pg/cm2 for the 6 different compounds and the highest results from an individual wipe sample were 27 × 106 pg/cm2 (cefotaxime) and 3.0 × 106 pg/cm2 (piperacillin). For cloxacillin, piperacillin, and metronidazole, lower levels of contamination were observed in medicine rooms when closed systems were used compared with samples collected in rooms where preparations were made without closed systems. Comparison of contamination levels showed that there were significant differences between different surface categories. Out of the most frequently detected antibiotics, ie cloxacillin, piperacillin, and cefotaxime, highest median values were found for surface categories floor and storage whereas lower median values were found for workbenches. A widespread environmental contamination of antibiotics was observed in hospital wards that potentially can contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria as well as health impacts of exposed personnel. Probable sources include compounding, handling and administration of drug tablets, antibiotic contaminated waste as well as other sources such as excretions from patients and contaminated drug vials. Current surface cleaning routines do not sufficiently reduce spills and leakage regardless of source.
Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) pose a significant threat to patient safety, particularly for vulnerable populations such as critically ill patients, the elderly, and individuals with multiple comorbidities. Hospital surfaces often act as reservoirs for pathogens, including multidrug-resistant strains, yet conventional disinfectants frequently lack sustained activity. We evaluated the real-world effectiveness of a novel disinfectant wipe combining low-concentration didecyldimethylammonium chloride (DDAC) and organosilane quaternary ammonium compound (Si-QAC) for its immediate and persistent antimicrobial properties across multiple hospitals. A multi-center, paired-design study was conducted at five university-affiliated hospitals between March and April 2025. Eight high-touch surfaces were categorized into dry zones (e.g., bed rails, nurse station desks) and wet zones (e.g., ward sinks, toilet lids). We compared the disinfection effectiveness of DDAC+Si-QAC wipes (experimental group) against each hospital's standard disinfection protocol (control group). Microbial samples were collected at baseline and at 1, 6, and 24 hours post-disinfection. Effectiveness was measured by the change in microbial load (Δ colony-forming unit/mL) from baseline. A total of 640 specimens were analyzed from 160 surfaces. To ensure rigorous analysis, pairs containing "zero-point" baseline surfaces were excluded, resulting in 39 pairs (78 surfaces) for final evaluation. The experimental group showed significant reductions from baseline at 1, 6, and 24 hours (P<0.001), whereas the control group failed to exhibit significant changes. In comparative analysis, the experimental group demonstrated superior effectiveness over the control group at 1 hour (P=0.041) and 6 hours (P=0.042). Although the difference at 24 hours (P=0.276) was not statistically significant, the experimental group maintained a lower median microbial load. Sub-group analysis revealed that the experimental group's potency was most pronounced in wet zones at 1 hour (P=0.004), where the bioburden was highest. The DDAC+Si-QAC wipe provides superior and sustained antimicrobial activity compared to standard hospital protocols, particularly in challenging high-bioburden wet environments. While the statistical advantage diminished at 24 hours, the persistent coating effect of Si-QAC offers a robust alternative to conventional point-in-time disinfection. Integrating these wipes into routine environmental management may help prevent the formation of microbial reservoirs and contribute to reducing HAIs.
Breast cancer is a highly prevalent disease. Chemical exposures may contribute to breast cancer risk, though most chemicals to which humans are exposed remain understudied in breast cancer research. This study tested the hypothesis that environmental chemicals present in households of women who do and do not develop breast cancer will have differential abundance, and that chemical profiles relate to self-reported sources of exposures. Household dust wipe samples were collected at enrollment in the Sister Study cohort in 2003-2009. We evaluated a subsample of Sister Study participants who developed hormone receptor positive breast cancer within 10 years after enrollment (N = 40, "cases") and who remained breast cancer free during the same period (N = 40, "controls"). Dust wipes were analyzed via liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry coupled with database mining approaches. Participants self-reported personal care product usage and proximity to environmental pollution sources. Frequent itemset mining (FIM) was used to evaluate chemical occurrence and associations with questionnaire data. In the dust wipe samples, there were 189 features annotated to potential chemicals that significantly differed (adjusted p < 0.1) in abundance between cases and controls. Example chemicals included suspected endocrine disruptors 23-(Nonylphenoxy)-3,6,9,12,15,18,21-heptaoxatricosan-1-ol, triethanolamine, and thiabendazole. Analysis of questionnaire data identified the chemical 6-benzyl-2-[bis[(2S)-2-aminopropanoyl]amino]-3-methylphenyl] (2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-(3-hydroxyhexanoylamino)-3-methylbutanoyl]amino]-3-methylbutanoate to be of high interest due to its link, derived through FIM, to 45 exposure scenarios, largely described by elevated personal care product usage habits. Overall, this study builds the evidence base for understudied chemicals in everyday household environments that may alter breast cancer risk. Coupling chemical analysis results with participant survey data highlighted behaviors and environmental factors that may influence exposures to these chemicals, informing the design of future investigations to better understand sources of breast cancer risk in women. There is much to understand about household exposures that can affect breast cancer risk. This study aimed to generate a novel household exposomic dataset leveraging dust wipe samples from the Sister Study cohort. A subset of the detected chemicals was found to be differentially detected in the houses of women who developed breast cancer. Additional analysis of self-reported questionnaire data demonstrated linkages between increased personal care product usage and elevated chemical abundance. The results of this study lend important insights into understudied chemicals in the home that may alter breast cancer risk and possible sources of exposure to these substances.
The unhygienic practices in retail poultry meat shops adversely affect chicken meat quality and shelf life. To address this issue, a meat-surface-decontaminating wipe was developed. Deionized water, jamun leaf (Syzygium cumini) extracts, and other generally recognized as safe ingredients were used to prepare a decontamination solution. A sterile non-woven cloth soaked in the solution was applied over the meat surface as a decontamination wipe. Treated and untreated meat samples were stored at 4 ± 1 °C under aerobic packaging conditions, and various meat quality parameters were evaluated at every 1-day interval until the onset of spoilage. It was observed that the wipe could significantly reduce 2.31 log microbial loads (p = 0.00005, CI-95%, 1.85, 2.77) over the meat surface. With the increasing storage intervals, the meat quality parameters changed significantly (p < 0.05), and the treated chicken samples spoiled on day 6, whereas the control spoiled on day 5. The meat spoilage was confirmed by the evaluation of quality changes in the stored meat. Additionally, the wipe could cause 1.14 (p = 0.00000, CI-95%, 1.01, 1.25) and 1.03 (p = 0.00005, CI-95%, 0.90, 1.16) log reductions of E. coli and S. aureus, respectively. Based on the results, it was concluded that the decontamination wipe could improve the meat quality and shelf life of retail chicken meat without affecting the sensory quality attributes.
Decontamination of working dogs at the point of exposure is critical for military, law enforcement, and search and rescue operations in austere or hazardous environments where water may be scarce and conventional wet decontamination poses logistical and safety challenges. Prototype dry (waterless) wipe decontamination kits were evaluated for efficacy in removing a surrogate contaminant (GloGerm™) when used by canine handler teams performing total body field decontaminations. The prototype kit procedures employed a sequence of three microfiber towel types: (1) dry, to remove gross contaminants; (2) wet, saturated with a surfactant to clean away residual contaminants; and, (3) dry, to remove final contamination and residual surfactant. Several variables were investigated to refine the final design, test the effectiveness of decontamination at different anatomical locations on the canine, and evaluate the handlers' success in removing the surrogate contaminant after reading the instructional pamphlet alone versus having the instructions and receiving in-person training on kit use. Three form factors (single towel, multi-towel small, and multi-towel large) and simulated contamination at three anatomical regions (back, inguinal, and forelimb) were tested by 64 canine handler teams randomized to "trained" (15-min verbal instruction plus pamphlet) or "untrained" (pamphlet only) groups. Across all form factors and training groups, mean removal efficiencies were highest on the back (91.38% ± 0.18), followed by the forelimb (82.04% ± 0.26) and inguinal region (70.15% ± 0.31). No statistically significant differences were observed among the form factors or training variables. Average decontamination time was 9 min and 24 s (range = 3 min 4 s to 26 min 0 s). Dry wipe decontamination can provide rapid and effective removal of contaminants without water, improving canine and handler safety and enabling early intervention at the point of exposure prior to additional wet decontamination or medical treatment when necessary. Personnel with minimal training can effectively conduct dry wipe decontamination.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the cleaning performance and disinfection efficacy of a validated manual wipe-based reprocessing procedure for endocavitary ultrasound probes under realistic worst-case conditions. Used transvaginal and transrectal ultrasound probes were artificially contaminated with interfering substances (ultrasound gel, mucin and protein soil) and test organisms (Enterococcus hirae, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans and Simian Virus 40 [SV40] as a surrogate for human papillomavirus [HPV]). Effectiveness of the cleaning procedure with ready-to-use wipes was evaluated using protein quantification and total organic carbon (TOC) analysis. For disinfection testing, the full two-step protocol (cleaning followed by disinfection) was applied and microbial reduction was measured on defined probe test fields. After the cleaning process, protein and TOC levels were within the required limits of <100 μg/instrument test field and <6.0 μg/cm2, respectively. The combined cleaning and disinfection procedure achieved reproducible microbial reductions above the log reductions required according to the European Standard EN 14485 for all tested organisms, including complete inactivation of SV40 as an HPV surrogate, confirming bactericidal, yeasticidal and virucidal efficacy. The method proved reproducible across multiple individual users and all test runs. Manual wipe-based reprocessing can achieve reproducible and validatable disinfection of transvaginal and transrectal ultrasound probes for the complete probe surface, including difficult-to-access niches, is effectively cleaned and training and validation requirements are met. The method may serve as a practical alternative in settings where automated or immersion-based reprocessing is not feasible.
To evaluate the effectiveness of a twice-daily application of a wipe impregnated with emollient and barrier ingredients in reducing incidence of pressure injury (PI) in aged care consumers. A single-blinded, multicentre randomised controlled trial. Randomisation was stratified by facility, using simple 1:1 randomisation within each stratum. 20 residential aged care facilities in Rural and Metropolitan New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 858 aged care consumers aged ≥65 years at risk of developing a PI. Participants were randomised 1:1 to receive either standard hygiene practices, repositioning and use of pressure redistribution surfaces (standard care) or twice-daily applications of a pre-packaged wipe impregnated with emollient and barrier ingredients (Contiplan) to the sacrum, buttocks and heels in addition to standard care for the study duration. The primary outcome was the incidence of PIs per 1000 consumer days. Treatment effects were estimated using an intention-to-treat approach, with the absolute difference and 95% CI estimated using the Wald method. The relative difference in the incidence of PIs was estimated using a negative binomial regression model (with log link). 858 participants were included in the study. There was a 50% relative reduction in the incidence of PI in the intervention compared with the control (95% CI 0.31 to 0.81, p=0.005), with an absolute rate difference of 0.31 fewer PIs per 1000 consumer days (95% CI 0.11 to 0.51). The use of wipes with emollient and barrier properties significantly reduced the incidence of PIs and prolonged the time to first PI, demonstrating efficacy as a PI preventive strategy in aged care. Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, ACTRN12622001360707.
Dechlorane Plus (DP) is a widely used flame retardant in various electronic devices. E-waste (EW) dismantling workers could be widely exposed to DP, but related studies are still limited. Therefore, we conducted an extensive study on the levels of DP and its dechlorinated derivatives (anti-Cl11-DP and Cl10-DP) in various environmental and human samples from a typical e-waste dismantling site located in China. Paired hair, hand wipe, indoor air, and indoor dust samples were collected from EW workers, non-EW workers and nearby residents. Hair was divided into an external fraction (hair-Ex) from surface washing and an internal fraction (hair-In) from digested washed hair. Our findings indicated that the DP concentrations in air and dust samples varied between 7.44 and 6200 pg m-3 and 0.355 and 7000 ng g-1, respectively. The DP concentrations in hair-internal, hair-external, and hand wipe samples varied between 0.896 and 39.9 ng g-1, 0.954 and 66.1 ng g-1, and 1.25 and 1080 ng g-1, respectively. The fractional abundance of anti-DP (fanti) in hair-internal samples was significantly lower than in other samples (P < 0.05). Concentrations of anti-Cl11-DP in both internal and external hair samples collected from EW recycling workers demonstrated statistically significant reductions relative to adult non-occupationally exposed individuals. This disparity may arise from the restricted metabolic clearance capacity of anti-Cl11-DP in human physiological systems. The median proportion of anti-Cl11-DP relative to ∑DPs was significantly elevated in hair-internal samples compared to both indoor dust samples (P < 0.05) and hair-external samples (P < 0.05), indicating a substantial enrichment of anti-Cl11-DP in humans.
Phthalates, widely used as plasticizers, pose significant health risks due to their endocrine-disrupting properties. This study aimed to determine the concentrations of 11 phthalate derivatives, including diethyl phthalate (DEP), bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), di-n-octyl phthalate, and dimethyl phthalate, in wet wipe samples using LC-MS/MS. A total of 15 wet wipe samples were randomly selected from supermarkets and restaurants. DEP was detected in all samples, with the highest concentration observed in one sample, while five samples contained additional phthalate derivatives. A risk assessment was conducted to evaluate non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks associated with dermal exposure to phthalates. The Margin of Safety values for non-carcinogenic effects were within acceptable limits, and the lifetime cancer risk for DEHP remained below the accepted safety threshold. LC-QTOF/MS analysis revealed additional undeclared compounds, including potential allergens and irritants, raising concerns about product safety. However, despite these risk-based findings, the detection of DEHP and DBP represents regulatory noncompliance, as these substances are explicitly prohibited in cosmetic products under European Union and Turkish regulations. Packaging assessment showed that six out of fifteen samples failed to meet national labeling requirements. Overall, the findings emphasize the need for stricter regulatory enforcement and transparent labeling to ensure consumer safety.
Environmental services (EVS) programs may choose dilutable or ready-to-use (RTU) disinfectants. Dilutable products are generally less expensive but may have greater potential for incorrect use. We conducted a time and motion evaluation of EVS post-discharge and daily room cleaning and disinfection practices before and after a facility-wide switch from dilutable to RTU quaternary ammonium disinfectants. Observations were completed to determine the time required for tasks, appropriateness of product use, and percentage of high-touch sites wiped. Personnel were graded using a standardized compliance scale (17-20, highly compliant). We observed 40 total hours of post-discharge room cleaning and disinfection by 10 personnel before and 9 after the product substitution. After the substitution, mean compliance scores increased from 11.5 to 17.7 (P=0.003) and there was a reduction in time gathering supplies (3.8 versus 13.2 minutes; P=0.002) but not in total time per post-discharge room (50.8 versus 65.2 minutes; P=0.08). Noncompliance with dilutable disinfectants was often due to incorrect product use, including inappropriate mixing of disinfectants. For daily rooms, less than 3 minutes was spent wiping high-touch surfaces. In our facility, switching from dilutable to RTU disinfectants was associated with reduced time gathering supplies and improved compliance with recommended practices.
Clostridioides difficile spores remain viable in the environment for months to years. To detect C. difficile spores in the environment, many studies have used Polywipe™ sponges to wipe surfaces and subsequently extract and culture C. difficile. This study aimed to evaluate a new simpler, cheaper method utilising an alcohol wipe, suitable for low-resource settings. From February to March 2022, Polywipe™ sponges and alcohol wipes were used to swab surfaces in a microbiology laboratory that specialised in working on C. difficile. Culture in Robertson's cooked meat broth (CMB) and supplemented brain heart infusion broth (BHIB-S), both incubated aerobically to mimic conditions in low resource settings where neither anaerobe jars nor chambers were available, was compared. The overall prevalence of C. difficile contamination in the anaerobe laboratory was 3.4% (17/500). Recovery for alcohol wipes and Polywipe™ sponges was 3.2% and 3.6%, respectively, not significantly different. Alcohol wipes inoculated into CMB recovered 80% of C. difficile when there was ∼100 CFU inoculated, and recovery was 100% with a 300 CFU inoculum. BHIB-S recovered only 40% of C. difficile with a 300 CFU inoculum. While BHIB-S successfully recovered C. difficile from all known positive human stool samples (100%, 10/10), outperforming CMB which recovered 80% (8/10), the observed difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.143). Alcohol wipes could be used in low resource settings to recover C. difficile spores from the environment. CMB is a good enrichment medium to use with alcohol wipes as it is transportable around the world at ambient temperature with little impact.