Refillable bulk systems are prone to environmental and deliberate contamination. The problem can get so severe dispensers must be replaced. The soap in bulk refillable systems must be manually poured into the dispenser’s reservoir, which is messy and labour intensive.
One out of every four refillable bulk dispensers are contaminated with unsafe levels of bacteria, leaving hands with up to 25 times more germs after washing than before.3 Once dispensers are contaminated, even cleaning and soaking in bleach has been proven ineffective. Recontamination can occur within two weeks. Contaminants can be present even when not obvious or visible.
Refillable dispensers can compromise health and social well-being, working against your efforts to create a healthy, productive environment.
How does bulk soap become contaminated? Bulk soap dispensers are open to the environment. Germs grow inside because it isn’t practical for maintenance personnel to properly clean and sanitise them each time they are refilled. New soap becomes tainted as it is added to contaminated soap. Bacteria spread to unsuspecting users who think they are getting clean. The types of germs found in contaminated dispensers can cause fever, vomiting, diarrhea and pink eye.4 Fortunately, there’s a better alternative.
Sanitary sealed dispensing systems
PURELL® and GOJO® SANITARY SEALED™ systems are always a better choice than refillable soap dispensers. These innovative sealed soap systems offer multiple advantages in terms of quality, reliability, sustainability, ease of maintenance and aesthetics.
PURELL® and GOJO® SANITARY SEALED™ REFILLS ARE SAFE, SMART AND SIMPLE
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: Reduced labour time and replacement costs – virtually labour free; snap in a new refill in seconds.
- Chattman M, Maxwell S, Gerba C. 2011. Occurrence of heterotrophic and coliform bacteria in liquid hand soaps from bulk refillable dispensers in public facilities. J Environ Health. 73(7):26-29.
- Lorenz L, Ramsay B, Goeres D, Fields M, Zapka C, Macinga D. 2012. Evaluation and remediation of bulk soap dispensers for biofilm. Biofouling, 28(1): 99-109.
- Zapka C, Campbell E, Maxwell S, Gerba C, Dolan M, Arbogast J, Macinga D. 2011. Bacterial hand contamination and transfer after use of contaminated bulk-soap-refillable dispensers. Appl Environ Microbiol, 77(9):2898-2904
- http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/lab-bio/res/psds-ftss/pseudomonas-spp-eng.php h ttp://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/lab-bio/res/psds-ftss/klebsiella-eng.php, http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/lab-bio/res/psds-ftss/serratia-spp-eng.php
