Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 18th April 2024 Issue no. 1110

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Hero Wipes to launch new bloodborne pathogen antiseptic wipes for EMS providers

The Hero Wipes brand has expanded its product line to tackle another threat faced by first responders: bloodborne pathogens.

With the launch of Hero Wipes EMS, first responders now have a wipe that effectively cleans and kills 99.9% of germs to reduce the risk of infection that bloodborne pathogens present. And, of course, if they are good for first responders, they are good for anyone who risks coming into contact with someone else's blood - such as cleaners.

Bloodborne pathogens are infectious microorganisms present in blood than can cause disease in humans.

Workers such as first responders, and those who have to clean in locations where blood may have been spilled (such as crime scenes) or where used syringes may be encountered, and who are exposed to bloodborne pathogens as a result, are at risk of contracting serious and life-threatening illnesses. The Occupational Safety & Health Administration provides a Bloodborne Pathogens standard that provides for what employers should do to protect workers.

As exposure to needlesticks and bloodborne pathogens is the second most common type of injury to EMS providers, according to a research study by the National Institute for Occupational Health & Safety (NIOSH), Hero Wipes endeavoured to create a product that addressed their needs. The company held listening sessions with several first responders regarding their concerns about bloodborne pathogens whereby the key takeaways included:

* Encounters with blood and thus bloodborne pathogens are common
* There is a need for a product that is durable and effective
* Hard surface disinfectant wipes are sometimes made available; however, they're harsh on skin and are prohibited in some countries for use as personal care

Utilising the company's experience in formulating and creating wipe products, Hero Wipes EMS was created as a safe and effective healthcare antiseptic wipe. The wipes are thick and stretchable enough to stand up to vigorous use in cleaning. The product also features an exceptional absorption quality, and log reduction testing showed it kills 99.9% of germs. Moreover, as with original Hero Wipes Fire, which have been shown to effectively remove carcinogens and harmful toxins, namely the flame retardant TCEP and Benzopyrene (BaP), which is commonly found in soot following fires, Hero Wipes EMS are kind to the skin. Further, the product is EWG (Environmental Working Group) verified for its commitment to using safe ingredients, providing transparency and engaging in quality manufacturing practices.

Hero Wipes EMS also complies with OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens standard requirements and meets the Centres for Disease Control & Prevention's guideline for hand hygiene in healthcare settings.

"With our original Hero Wipes, we educated ourselves about the very real cancer threat that firefighters are facing and we put our capabilities to work to create the only tested on-site decon wipe available," says Eve Yen, founder and CEO of Diamond Wipes International, parent company of Hero Wipes. "Now, with Hero Wipes EMS, we are utilising that same ingenuity to make a wipe that is remarkably effective and also meets rigorous standards for safety."

T: 1 (800) 454-1077
W: www.myherowipes.com

19th April 2018