Swine Flu Information
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been tracking the H1N1 virus (Swine Flu), a contagious influenza virus that has caused infections in humans in this country as well as others. Here at Kennedy Industries we are aware that this outbreak is a cause of concern among the athletic community and schools in general. We want you to know that we are here to help answer any questions you may have regarding keeping your facilities and athletes clean and as germ-free as possible. The information that follows is what we know to date.
With regard to individual hygiene, the first and best line of defense always is to keep hands clean. Frequent hand washing with soap and water or the use of alcohol based wipes or sanitizers when soap and water is not available is highly recommended. As usual, the sooner an athlete can shower after working out, the better. And the use of a wash cloth or shower mesh is also important. (Remind your athletes that they wouldn’t wash their cars with their bare hands, so they shouldn’t wash their bodies that way either!)
As for surfaces that could become contaminated with the virus, proper disinfecting is necessary. Disinfectants must be tested and registered with the EPA where their germ kill claims and label instructions are approved. At this time there are no disinfectants on the market that can rightly claim to kill the H1N1 virus or Swine Flu. However, based on the scientific information available to the EPA, their position is that any disinfectant that can currently claim to kill the Influenza A virus on hard, non-porous surfaces will also be effective against the 2009-H1N1 flu strain (Swine Flu)*. Kenclean Plus Athletic Surface Disinfectant Cleaner does kill the Influenza A virus and thus can be used to help prevent the spread of Swine Flu.
To properly disinfect however, the instructions printed on your disinfectant’s label must be strictly followed. The right amount of disinfectant must be mixed with the right amount of water. If your disinfectant didn’t come with a measuring aid, invest in a measuring cup that shows ounces and keep it with the disinfectant. Not sure how much water your bucket holds? Use a gallon water container and mark your bucket with an indelible marker to show how many gallons you use. Also the “dwell time” or the amount of time that the surface being disinfected must remain wet with the disinfectant solution in order to give the disinfectant time to kill the germs it can kill must be allowed to pass. Don’t wet the area to be disinfected and immediately wipe it dry. Most disinfectants, including Kenclean Plus, have a dwell time of 10 minutes. If your surface dries before the 10 minutes have gone by, that surface may not be disinfected.
To summarize: 1. Choose a disinfectant that says it kills the Influenza A virus and has an EPA Registration # on its label. 2. Read your disinfectant’s directions. Make sure you use the proper ratio of product to water. And allow the surfaces being disinfected to remain wet with the disinfectant solution for the proper amount of time. At Kennedy Industries we remain committed to helping you have a productive, successful and healthy athletic season.
For more hygiene tips, click here. *http://www.epa.gov/oppad001/influenza-disinfectants.html
Tea Tree Oil
A study published February 1, 2007 in the New England Journal of Medicine suggests that both tea tree oil and lavender oil may cause enlarged breast tissue in young males. In laboratory tests, researchers at the National Institute of Health found that both of these oils boost estrogen levels, the female hormone that stimulates breast growth while also inhibiting androgens, the hormone that inhibits breast tissue growth.
Although no Kennedy products contain either of these oils, there are soaps, shampoos and body lotions containing tea tree oil which are marketed to the athletic community. Athletes, coaches and parents need to be aware of these findings. To read more about this research, visit National Institutes of Health website.
Reference: Henley D, Lipson N, Korach K, Bloch C. Prepubertal Gynecomastia Linked to Lavender and Tea Tree Oils. New England Journal of Medicine, Feb. 1, 2007.
Kennedy Industries Vs. Driving Force
A federal judge ordered Driving Force and their distributors to stop selling “99” athletic instant skin sanitizer based on claims proven to be literally false. Claims ruled literally false include “99” killed 99.99% of harmful bacteria on contact, ringworm, impetigo, MRSA and 32 other literally false claims that may affect wrestlers.
