I'm going to start this post off by telling you that some of the photos in this post are gross-looking. But let's face it, infected wounds are not very pretty. We're going to be giving you a brief introduction to a new product that we will be working with that we think will revolutionize the wound care industry. Introducing Pure&Clean My first introduction to Pure&Clean was seeing the following series of photos. It is of an infected finger. The description of the photos is below. This was a case study done on the effectiveness of Pure&Clean products, so please read on. Infected finger case study (Information from Pure&Clean materials) A 102-year-old African American female patient with a history of Alzheimer’s, psoriasis, and low BMI presented with paronychia on her right-hand middle finger during a home health visit (Figures A & B). FYI: A paronychia is an infection of the skin that surrounds a toenail or fingernail. There are two different types of paronychia, acute and chronic. The patient was taken to the emergency department where the fingernail was removed. The wound was debrided and oral Amoxycillin was prescribed for 2 weeks. Debrided means, "The removal of foreign material and dead or damaged tissue, esp. in a wound." The patient was sent home with instructions to soak her finger in half-strength hydrogen peroxide solution for 2 minutes twice per day, followed by the application of silvadene cream (Silver sulfadiazine is an antibiotic. It fights bacteria and yeast on the skin. Silvadene (for the skin) is used to treat or prevent serious infection on areas of skin with second- or third-degree burns.) and xeroform gauze. After 7 days, signs of eschar were present on the tip of the finger (Figures C & D). I wasn't sure what eschar meant so I looked it up. Here's the definition: Eschar refers to the dead tissue component of a bed sore or other wounds, such as a burn injury. It appears as a patch of dead skin covering the bed sore. Eschar may be black, brown, or tan in appearance. It may also be crusty, or fluid-filled. The wound was debrided again and treatment was switched to a non-toxic Hypochlorous Acid (HOCl) wound cleanser (Pure&Clean Wound Cleanser OTC). New home health orders were to soak the finger in P&C HOCl for 2-5 minutes twice daily then apply P&C Hydrogel and wrap with gauze and tape. After 7 days of the HOCl solution regimen, eschar and slough were significantly reduced, and the wound was clean (Figures E & F). I wasn't sure so I looked up slough, too. Here is what it means in medical terms: Medicine A layer or mass of dead tissue separated from surrounding living tissue, as in a wound, sore, or inflammation. 2. An outer layer or covering that is shed or removed. Medicine To separate from surrounding living tissue. Used of dead tissue. Dressing changes were switched to once daily. After 2 weeks, the wound was partially reepithelialized (Figures G & H) and treatment with P&C was discontinued. Yes, you probably guessed it, I wanted to make sure I knew what reepithelialized meant. I figured it had something to do with regrowing healthy skin. Here is what one source said it meant: the process of returning to health; the restoration of structure and function of injured or diseased tissues. The healing processes include blood clotting, tissue mending, scarring, and bone healing. The finger remained healed at the 2-week follow-up (Figures I & J). Application of P&C was safe and appeared to assist in healing this infected wound in a nutritionally declining patient of advanced age and at elevated risk for infection. There are other case studies as well, but for the time being, we thought we would tell you a bit more about Pure&Clean. About Pure&Clean Pure&Clean is a young family-owned business that offers an amazing line of Hypochlorous Acid (HOCl) products. What is HOCl? Glad you asked. HOCl is a naturally occurring molecule that is produced by our neutrophils (a type of white blood cell) to fight bacteria and inflammation after trauma. Because it is naturally produced by all mammals, our stable solution is completely non-cytotoxic and can be used in sensitive areas, even around the face, nose, ears, and eyes. HOCl is known to be a broad-spectrum solution that kills bacteria, viruses, funguses, and even spores. Our process and quality of ingredients are unmatched in the marketplace, which is proven by our results and our HOCl industry's best FDA cleared shelf life (not reduced by opening the bottle). What sets Pure&Clean apart? 24-month shelf life, not affected by opening the bottle Stable pH between 5.5 - 6.5, promotes healing without damaging the most delicate cells Produced through a proprietary, electrolysis process In our next post, we will go into more detail about the Pure&Clean products. We will also look at another case study to show the effectiveness of the products versus traditional wound care. If you have questions about Pure&Clean and how Lastgerm is working with them to bring you more quality products that make your life safer and better, contact an agent near you who will be happy to assist you.

For several weeks we have been talking about getting our homes, barns, pens, etc. ready for our new babies/furbabies. In keeping with this framework, this week we are going to look at some events that will be coming up this summer that you might want to keep in mind. Summertime... I love summertime more than anything else in the world. That is the only thing that gets me through the winter, knowing that summer is going to be there. — Jack McBrayer Oh, how so many of us love summertime. The sights, the sounds, the smells of summer! One of the many joys of summer for a lot of people is the county fair. The county fair means carnival rides, exhibits, seeing the 4-H animals, meeting with friends for a footlong hotdog... It means fun times. It means "summertime!" I remember the days of my youth. We would go as a family to the fair and admire the well-kept animals while avoiding their "waste products." My mom would ask the 4-H kids all kinds of questions about their animals. Later in life, I asked my own questions of the 4-Hers as I had become a reporter for a small-town newspaper. The county fair was like the definition of summer. The epitome of growth and life. Getting ready for the fair I was in 4-H for about one whole meeting! It was not an activity for me. But I spent a lot of time watching my sister get ready for the fair. Now, I watch my grandchildren and see the excitement in their eyes and on their faces as they groom their animals, put the finishing touches on their projects, and get ready for the fun of fair time. The county fair was greatly impacted by the emergence of COVID-19 resulting in many county fairs and state fairs being canceled in 2020. Most fairs were back on in 2021, however, some were at a limited capacity. While COVID-19 may not be blocking the fairs from happening this summer, other animal diseases may limit the types of animals that are on show at the fair. You can read more about the avian flu here. Still, the kids are getting their chickens, ducks, geese, bunnies, calves and other animals ready for the fair in the hope that things will be better by June/July/August when many of the fairs take place. Protecting your prize show animals Keeping your animals safe and healthy is a chief concern for 4-H kids and for others who show their animals at the fair in the open classes. It is one thing to keep your pens and barn clean at home. But when you put your animals in a confined space next to other people's animals there is always a risk. We have some excellent articles on keeping your animals' pens at their best with Vital Oxide and BioProtect which is part of the 2-step process. You can read those articles at the following links: Make room for baby The truth about bleach Protect the flock from the Avian Flu Why not give your animals at the fair and everywhere else, the protection they need and deserve? Let's keep the summer strong and the county fair a great place for kids and adults to have a wonderful time! You can also check out this article for more information about Vital Oxide and its many uses not only on the farm or in the barn, but in your home, as well! Questions? Do you have more questions? Find an agent near you who will be happy to assist you.

According to a March 24, 2022 article on Yahoo News, studies are showing that the Omicron COVID variant is lasting longer on surfaces and on the skin than its predecessors (1). This is bad news for those of us with underlying health conditions as well as the population in general. Early in the pandemic, it was questioned as to whether the SARS-CoV-2 could be spread through contact with surfaces containing the virus. This has been a continuous line of study. According to the article, "In two recent studies, teams of researchers found that the omicron variant lasted longer on surfaces and on human skin compared to other variants. The studies test omicron and previous variants on surfaces people would find in their daily lives, and one of the studies tests it on human skin samples... "In the first study (2), researchers obtained human skin samples from autopsy specimens for the experiment. They also used plastic as another test surface. Virus survival time was calculated as time when they were no longer able to detect virus in the samples placed on the surfaces. The original SARS-CoV-2 strain found in Wuhan lasted 56 hours on the plastic surface. Later variants alpha, beta, gamma and delta lasted for about 191, 157, 59 and 114 hours, respectively. The omicron variant lasted 193.5 hours. "On human skin, the original coronavirus lasted 8.6 hours. The later variants ranged from 11 to 19.6 hours, and omicron lasted for 21.1 hours on human skin." These statistics are a little scary but fortunately, we have several powerful tools that can help make things easier and safer for us. In the second study (3), researchers made comparisons between the original strain and the Omicron variant. They used various surfaces for the study. "After four days, [the original] virus was found only on the glass surface. For the omicron variant, the researchers could recover virus from the surfaces seven days later." The Omicron variant was also detectable on porous surfaces for a longer amount of time. A new subvariant . . . According to an article from The Hill publication (4), "A subvariant of Omicron known as BA.2 is now the dominant strain in the United States, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The variant is rising in numbers because it is more transmissible than the original Omicron strain. It is estimated that it is about 30% more transmissible. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of March 26, the BA.2 strain represents 54.9% of the new cases for that week. There is "no evidence that BA.2 causes more severe disease than the original omicron strain or that it evades the protection from vaccines to a greater degree." “CDC says the BA.2 subvariant of Omicron is now dominant in the US,” tweeted Leana Wen, a public health professor at George Washington University. “Reminder that while this appears to be even more contagious than the original Omicron, it is not more virulent than previous strains, and existing vaccines still protect well against severe disease.” The CDC is keeping a close eye on the situation especially in New York and in New England areas where the "BA.2 variant has been reaching levels above 50%," according to CDC Director Rochelle Walensky. “This small increase in cases in the Northeast is something that we are closely watching as we look for any indication of an increase in severe disease from COVID-19 and track whether it represents any strain on our hospitals. We have not yet seen this so far," added Walensky. The tools to kill COVID As we mentioned above, we have the tools to kill COVID and its many variants. You can use Vital Oxide as a daily sanitizer and you can also use it in the 2-step process which can continue to kill germs, bacteria, and viruses for up to 90 days! Vital Oxide Our Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Registered, NSF Approved, Hospital Grade, Deep Disinfection Service Kills 99.999% of Viruses, Bacteria and Pathogens has been approved by the EPA for use against SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that caused the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). We meet the EPA's emerging pathogen requirements for viruses showing efficacy against enveloped and non-enveloped viruses, both large and small. Viruses, bacteria, mold, and mildew have no chance of survival! ​This amazing product is "Step 1" in our system is an EPA-registered hospital disinfectant cleaner, mold killer, and odor eliminator. Its formula contains a unique form of stabilized chlorine dioxide that is very effective at killing bacteria, viruses, and mold yet non-corrosive to treated articles and gentle enough to handle without causing skin irritation. It is ready to use with no mixing required—just spray, wipe, or fog right from the bottle. BioProtect Use as a non-toxic, food-surface safe antimicrobial shield that protects surfaces from microbes such as odor-causing bacteria, algae, fungi (mold and mildew) for your increased health and safety. Effective on hard non-porous washable bathroom and non-food contact kitchen surfaces and fixtures around the home or office, this antimicrobial surface protectant is also able to be used on carpets and upholstery to inhibit the growth of odor-causing bacteria, bacteria that cause staining and discoloration, and fungi (mold and mildew). You can apply this in homes, businesses, school systems, hotels, transportation, and much more in need of inhibiting the growth of bacteria that causes staining and discoloration. Product Benefits: Great for home and office use in large scale settings Invisible micro biostatic coating inhibits bacteria growth for 3 months Safe for use on carpets and upholstery in hotels and houses The water-based formula is odor and color free, safe for any surface BioProtect Hydrating Hand Sanitizer Don't let the fact that the new Omicron variant survives on skin longer prevent you from going out in public. Use some of the specially formulated BioProtect Hydrating Hand Sanitizer to give you an unmatched level of protection and softer skin, too! Germs are all around us, from door handles to airplane trays, to your children’s toys. The most important thing you can do to protect yourself, your family, and your colleagues from getting sick is to keep your hands clean! BIOPROTECT™ Hydrating Hand Sanitizer is an FDA-registered hand sanitizer that kills 99.99% of germs and bacteria on your hands for up to 6 hours! Moisturizes and hydrates hands as it kills germs and bacteria. Infused with soothing aloe vera. Fragrance-free, dye-free, paraben-free, and sulfate-free. Questions? If you have more questions about how any of these products work to make your home, church, school, and workplace safer, please contact us. Our 2-step process begins with completely killing any existing bacteria, viruses, and germs that are on a surface and getting in deep and eliminating those nasty odors, too! If you want to learn more about how Vital Oxide and/or how the 2-step process can help you or if you have any questions about odor elimination, you can contact an agent near you. They will be happy to assist you. Resources https://www.yahoo.com/news/omicron-lasts-longer-surfaces-skin-192113694.html 2. https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.01.18.476607v2 3. https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.03.09.483703v1 4. https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/600172-omicron-subvariant-ba2-now-dominant-strain-in-the-us-cdc

If you are a fan of the British comedy troupe Monty Python, the title of this blog will probably spark memories of some of your favorite skits and sketches that the talented group put on. If you are not familiar with them or simply not a fan, ignore that first sentence, and let's move on to the topic for this week's blog--something completely different. Spring Cleaning I know we did a post about this topic a couple of weeks ago, but it is a topic that has come more and more to mind over the past few days when temperatures have been rising, the snow has been melting and the mud has been tracking in from the outdoors almost as if on its own! It is also important to remember that with spring come smells (like elderberries!), allergies, and the like. Cleaning and disinfecting aren't just about your home, office, church, or wherever looking and smelling good, it is about real sanitary conditions. Most of us probably think we do a pretty good job of keeping our house looking clean (Nah, who am I kidding!) and sanitary. But really are our homes as clean and sanitary as we would like them to be? Probably not. Probably not even close. They might smell good even lemony-fresh, but does smell equal clean? Not really. In fact, most fragrances that we use to "freshen" up our homes, offices, etc. are actually doing more damage than actual good. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), "products that contain synthetic fragrances release harmful particles into the air, called volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These can cause respiratory irritation, headaches, liver and kidney damage, and even cancer." So, yeah, your house might smell terrific but you can be doing more harm than good. In fact, the EPA lists more negative health effects. Health effects may include: (1) Eye, nose, and throat irritation Headaches, loss of coordination, and nausea Damage to liver, kidney, and central nervous system Some organics can cause cancer in animals, some are suspected or known to cause cancer in humans. Key signs or symptoms associated with exposure to VOCs include: conjunctival irritation nose and throat discomfort headache allergic skin reaction dyspnea declines in serum cholinesterase levels nausea emesis epistaxis fatigue dizziness These don't sound like very pleasant "side-effects" for having a "fresh" smelling home or office! Use Vital Oxide to freshen your spaces You may be asking, "Well, what can I use that is safe?" I'm glad you asked because Vital Oxide is the perfect solution for almost any cleaning/sanitizing/disinfecting problem you could encounter. Vital Oxide is effective on some of the most noxious odors, like cat urine. It eliminates these odors at the molecular level, not by covering them up with fragrances! Vital Oxide is fragrance-free, bleach-free, phthalate-free, VOC-free, and allergen-free. Some places you might not think would be causing odors in your home could be the chief culprits, including: Your front-load washer Your dishwasher Your trashcan Your bedding Your pet's bowls Your carpets and rugs Vital Oxide can help remove odors by killing mold, germs, and bacteria that like to hide in these places and more. I would even add your drapes where cooking smells can gather and stink. Safe on your ductwork and HVAC systems If you really want to get to the bottom of some odors, you might consider using Vital Oxide in your HVAC and air ducts. (2) These include: • Furnaces. • Air Handlers. • Packaged units including Rooftops and Packaged Terminal Air Conditioner (PTAC) units. • Fan coil units. • Air distribution components such as air handlers, mixing boxes, transfer boxes, transitions, turning vanes, dampers, fans, fan housings, and associated components. • Condensate drain pans. • Unlined sheet metal ducts. • Air supply and return ducts and plenums fabricated with plywood, OSB , or other wood-like material. • Flexible air ducts fabricated of metal or plastic. • Humidifiers. • Dehumidifiers; both Desiccant and Refrigerated. • Registers, Grills, and other air intake and discharge devices. APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS • Wet the surfaces with the spray, giving special attention to cracks and crevices. • Vital Oxide will not stain any materials not stained by water. We suggest testing for compatibility on the surface of concern first. • Allow ten to twenty minutes for drying. No rinsing or wiping is required. • Following the elapsed drying time it is best practice to purge the system, by increasing the negative pressure through the outdoor exhaust or negative air machine or by turning on the vacuum used to pre-clean the HVAC system, while removing the duct openings seals. This will minimize the release of scent into the spaces served by the system. APPLICATION TECHNIQUES • Vital Oxide must be applied evenly to surfaces that are being treated. • Even and uniform application is essential for satisfactory results. • The procedures, equipment, and techniques described below have been tested and provide the desired results. • Other procedures, equipment, or techniques may also achieve satisfactory results. APPLICATION FREQUENCY Normally, infrequent application (every 3 months for HVAC Systems and every 6 months to every two years for air ducts) will provide effective control. Some critical applications such as HVAC and duct systems serving critical health care spaces or clean rooms where it is essential to minimize the generation of particulate matter that may be released as a byproduct of microbial growth may require more frequent treatment. Do not apply more often than monthly and then only if there is evidence of re-growth. This product must only be used in those cases where visible microbial growth has been detected in the system and then only after removing that growth and identifying and correcting the conditions that led to that growth. Prior to reapplication in such cases, investigate to determine the cause of re-growth and correct that problem prior to re-application. Also make sure the reoccurrence of microbial growth does not have another cause such as persistently high humidity, standing water, or hidden leaks. Prior to reapplication, the interior of the ducts and other surfaces must be inspected and found to be free of accumulated soil. If soil or growth is found, the cause should be determined and corrected and then the ducts cleaned in accordance with accepted industry practice. If microbial growth persists in air ducts following application re-inspect for duct leaks, carryover of water from cooling coils or humidifiers, and other sources of moisture promoting growth. Eliminate such sources of moisture before retreating. Conclusion There you have it. You can make your home, workspace, office, church, school, or other gathering places smell fresher without using potentially harmful chemicals to do so. Our 2-step process begins with completely killing any existing bacteria, viruses, and germs that are on a surface and getting in deep and eliminating those nasty odors, too! If you want to learn more about how Vital Oxide and/or how the 2-step process can help you or if you have any questions about odor elimination, you can contact an agent near you. They will be happy to assist you. Resources: https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/volatile-organic-compounds-impact-indoor-air-quality https://vitaloxide.com/pages/hvac-and-air-ducts

According to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) "some of the recent H5N1 bird flu infections detected in the United States have occurred in commercial turkeys. In mid-January, the USDA first announced finding highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) virus in wild birds, marking the first detection of this virus in wild birds in the United States since 2016. This was followed by announcements of outbreaks of HPAI A(H5N1) virus in commercial poultry beginning February 9, 2022." This can be some bad news for commercial poultry producers. Very bad news. A March 10, 2022 report in the Washington Standard stated, "On top of everything else, now a highly pathogenic avian influenza pandemic is ripping across the United States, and it has already resulted in the deaths of almost 2.8 million birds. Most of the birds that have died have been chickens or turkeys. And since this was just in the very first month of the pandemic, there is no telling how bad it could eventually become. What will the eventual death toll look like? Will it be in the tens of millions? That is definitely a possibility. And what would happen if the bird flu mutates into a version that spreads easily among humans? We might want to start thinking about that because that is possible too. I knew that the bird flu outbreak was bad, but I didn’t know that it had gotten this bad. The following comes from the Successful Farming website… With new outbreaks in Iowa and Missouri, nearly 2.8 million birds — almost entirely chickens and turkeys — have died in one month due to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), the Agriculture Department said on Monday. The viral disease has been identified in 23 poultry farms and backyard flocks in a dozen states since February 8, when the first report of “high path” bird flu in a domestic flock was reported. 2.8 million birds. In one month. The results could be astronomical in terms of dollars lost, but also in terms of food supply lines. The CDC report February 22, 2022—Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) viruses have been detected in U.S. wild birds and commercial and domestic poultry, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspective Service (APHIS). What is the bird flu? Avian influenza is a disease of birds caused by infection with avian influenza A viruses (bird flu viruses). However, avian influenza A virus infection of people is rare. CDC believes that the current risk to the general public’s health from HPAI A(H5N1) virus in the U.S. is low. However, some people may be at a higher risk of infection than others based on their exposures to infected birds, particularly poultry workers. There is existing federal guidance related to bird flu exposures for different groups of people, including hunters pdf, poultry producers, responders to bird flu outbreaks in birdspdf , the general public, as well as health care providers. While these bird flu outbreaks are largely an animal health issue, CDC is working closely with USDA to monitor for potential human infections and taking other routine preparedness and prevention measures in anticipation of possible human infections. As a reminder, it is safe to eat properly handled and cooked poultry and poultry products in the United States. The proper handling and cooking of poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165˚F kill bacteria and viruses, including HPAI A(H5N1) viruses. Wild birds can be infected with HPAI A(H5N1) viruses without showing symptoms, but these viruses can cause illness and death in domestic poultry. History Ancestors of these HPAI A(H5N1) viruses first emerged in southern China and led to large poultry outbreaks in Hong Kong in 1997, which resulted in 18 human infections. The outbreak was controlled, but the HPAI A(H5N1) virus re-surfaced in 2003 to spread widely in birds throughout Asia, and later in Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. What is CDC Doing? Based on available gene sequencing, CDC has determined: CDC has produced a candidate vaccine virus (CVV) that is nearly identical to the recently detected HPAI A(H5N1) viruses in birds that could be used to produce a vaccine for people if needed. These viruses are susceptible to currently available antiviral medications used to treat influenza. These viruses can be detected using CDC’s diagnostic tools for seasonal influenza viruses which are used at more than 100 public health laboratories in all 50 U.S. states and internationally as well. CDC is working with USDA and state public health partners to monitor for potential infections in exposed persons in the states where H5N1 bird flu virus detections in poultry and backyard flocks have occurred. If human infections with H5N1 bird flu virus are identified, CDC will assist with surveillance, contact tracing, and steps to reduce further spread, in the affected jurisdictions. CDC will also alert clinicians and other health professionals through clinician outreach networks. CDC has guidance documents including recommendations for personal protective equipment and information for people exposed to birds infected with avian influenza A viruses and guidance for testing and treatment of suspected cases to prevent severe illness and transmission to other people. CDC is currently reviewing and updating this guidance as needed. According to the report, risk assessment is also ongoing. But why not do all you can to protect your flock now? While no product can claim 100% protection, Vital Oxide is known to protect against the avian flu. See the link to the Environmental Protection Agency information for details. (See page 25). Vital Oxide can clean and protect your entire operation To Disinfect Farm Premises, Poultry Houses, Animal Pens & Vehicles: Remove all animals and feed from the premises, vehicles, and enclosures. Remove all litter and manure from floors, walls, and surfaces of barns, pens, stalls, chutes, and other facilities and fixtures occupied or traversed by animals. Empty all troughs, racks, and other feeding and water appliances. Thoroughly clean all surfaces with soap or detergent and rinse with water. Saturate all surfaces with product undiluted for a period of 10 minutes. Immerse all halters, ropes, and other types of equipment used in handling and restraining animals, as well as forks, shovels, and scrapers used for removing litter and manure. Allow to air dry. Ventilate buildings, cars, boats, and other closed spaces. Drain any pooled product and/or rinse the standing product with potable water. Do not house livestock or employ equipment until treatment has been absorbed, or dried. BOOT/SHOE WASH: To reduce cross-contamination into animal areas, shoe baths containing one inch of the disinfecting solution must be placed at all entrances to the building. Scrape waterproof shoes or boots and place in solution. Allow the solution to come in contact with the boot/shoe for 10 minutes. Change the disinfecting solution when the solution becomes visibly dirty. Vehicles transporting animal feed, animal food, pet food, human food: Product can be used as a part of a FSMA regulations sanitary transportation practices for transporting human and animal food for sanitizing/disinfecting hard non-porous surfaces. Product to be used by the shipper, receiver, loader or carriers transporting human and animal food on Transportation equipment includes bulk and non-bulk containers, bins, totes, pallets, pumps, fittings, hoses, gaskets, partitions, loading systems, and unloading systems. For disinfection allow the surface to remain wet for 10 mins for sanitization 5 mins. Disinfection of animal quarters and kennels: For disinfection of pre-cleaned animal quarters and kennels, apply this product [-or- product name] undiluted. Remove all animals and feed from the premises. Remove all litter and droppings from floors, walls, and surfaces of facilities occupied or traversed by animals. Empty all troughs, racks, and other feeding and watering appliances. Thoroughly clean all surfaces with soap or detergent and rinse with water. Saturate the surfaces with the undiluted disinfecting solution for a contact time of 10 minutes. Ventilate building and other closed spaces. Do not house animals or employ equipment until treatment has been absorbed, set, or dried. If you are concerned about your birds or other animals, give their pens a good cleaning and sanitize them with Vital Oxide. It just may keep your flock (and the rest of the critters) safe and healthy. Questions? Do you have more questions? Find an agent near you who will be happy to assist you.

Is it just me or are those of you who live in areas that get snow and cold during the winter sick of winter? I am so ready for Spring to come. The past few days of warmer weather have been refreshing, but then it snowed again today! Despite this, I am grateful for the nicer weather we have had and I am highly anticipating the Spring weather. Ah, Spring . . . Without a doubt, Spring is my favorite season of the year. There are so many things that are enjoyable including the new babies on the farm! Spring is a wonderful time of year when creatures and creations of all sorts literally "spring" to life! You can see the flowers and grass start to poke their heads through the soil and turn green. The trees bud out and the fruit-bearing ones flower out (which can wreak havoc on allergy sufferers!). The farmers get out into the fields and break ground for planting. Spring just seems to breathe with freshness and newness and life. It reminds me that the long winter was worth it to see the beauty of the world when it wakes up after its hibernation. Oh no, Spring . . . One of the things that many of us find unpleasureable in the Spring is annual "Spring cleaning." I am not a fan of cleaning, but I am a fan of the freshness and wholesomeness that comes with a good cleaning of the house in the Spring. And yes, I use Vital Oxide in all of my spring cleaning! This product is my muscle and helps me to clean virtually anything. It can be used on any surface that needs to be cleaned or disinfected/sanitized. I even use it on my windows, mirrors, computer monitors (I clean those far more frequently that once a year), and almost anything else with a glass surface. It also works great on furniture, toys, countertops, floors, cell phones, fitness equipment, bathtubs, sinks, toilets, pet beds, or anything you might put your mind to cleaning. My daughter has found that it works great on her tile floors in her mudroom and kitchen. She uses it at least three times a week. (More often in the winter and spring when mud seems to find its way to the children's boots and shoes even if there is any around!) Because Vital Oxide is free from harsh chemicals and fumes and is gentle on surfaces, it is ideal for Spring cleaning chores. Remember earlier when I mentioned spring allergies? Vital Oxide can help remove allergens in your home and make it easier to breathe a sigh of relief knowing that not only are you using a product that is safe and environmentally-friendly, but it is also literally helping you breathe easier. One Vital Oxide user referred to the products as the "unicorn" of cleaning/disinfecting/sanitizing products. It's Magical . . . While Spring itself has many "magical" and miraculous qualities, isn't it a good thing to know that you can have a little "sunshine" in a bottle to help you along with your Spring cleaning...or any time of the year cleaning? Once you have used Vital Oxide you will understand the feeling. It really does make you feel differently about disinfecting products. If you want to learn more about Vital Oxide you can check out these links: https://www.lastgerm.com/vital-oxide-step-1 (part of the 2-step process or can be used by itself). https://www.lastgerm.com/post/what-makes-vital-oxide-so-special Spring cleaning doesn't have to be an overwhelming task. Let Vital Oxide help you not just clean, but also safely and oderlessly disinfect your home at the same time. Questions? Do you have more questions? Find an agent near you who will be happy to assist you.

Last week we talked about human babies and the need for keeping their living spaces clean and disinfected. As important as that is for our human babies, it is equally important for our animal babies many of which will be joining us over the coming weeks and months. Without further ado, let's make some clean and disinfected rooms/pens for those babies! Cleaning Having grown up on a dairy farm, I understand the importance of keeping our animal's pens and stalls clean and free from debris and fecal matter. In spite of knowing it, I still didn't like the seemingly endless hours of pitching manure and keeping those pens clean! My favorite part of growing up on the farm was taking care of the babies! I loved the little calves and baby chicks. Now one of my daughters raises goats, chickens, turkeys, calves, rabbits, and horses. It is like being a kid again when I am on her farm. The big benefit is that I don't have to clean pens! But, I digress, back to cleaning! (I procrastinated like this when I had to clean the pens as a kid, too!) When I was a kid, we didn't have the kinds of animal diseases that are prevalent these days like H1N1 (Swine Flu), Avian influenza, canine flu, horse flu, and many others that have adapted to flourish in a variety of hosts including humans. A few years ago, the "bird flu" was especially bad and outbreaks of it still infect and kill many birds. In fact, as reported in November 2021 by the World Organisation for Animal Health, "Since 1 May 2021, outbreaks of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) have been confirmed in 41 countries from different regions in poultry and wild birds. Currently present in Africa, Asia, and Europe, the disease is a threat to economic stability, food security, and livelihoods. Commonly known as bird flu, avian influenza is a very contagious disease that affects several species of poultry, as well as pet birds and wild birds, and occasionally, humans." (1) While cleaning out manure, straw, and other debris from the animal's pen or stall is important, it is also important to disinfect their stalls especially when new babies are expected--typically in the spring. Cleaning the areas where your new babies will be living can be as simple as wishing them down with a power sprayer or hose. But the next step is vital to their health. Disinfecting After you have washed down your pen, stall, calf hutch, or wherever your new babies will call home, it is important to take the next step--disinfecting. You may already know how good Vital Oxide is at disinfecting areas in your home. If you have used it, you also know that it is safe to use on virtually any surface and that it is also safe to use by people or animals. Vital Oxide can be used to disinfect and sanitize dairy parlors, poultry houses, animal pens, and equipment. With livestock (cows, chickens, sheep, goats, etc.), manure covers floors, walls, pens, stalls, and any other place that animals move around. Vital Oxide can be used as a disinfectant and diluted to a sanitizer for spray and/or foam application. There’s no smell and it’s safe for animals and humans. Our newest babies are more susceptible to bacteria and other germs and it is important to give them the best chance at surviving in a world full of disease. "Vital Oxide helps make the likelihood of humans and animals becoming infected with viruses and bacteria less of a threat. Currently, Vital Oxide is used to reduce the spread of pathogens on farm premises, veterinary clinics, and animal care facilities, as well as businesses, schools, hospitals, public mass transit, and in homes across the globe. "Vital Oxide is unique because it is highly effective against pathogens while being colorless, odorless, and free from nauseous fumes and harmful residues. It also has a safety rating that is not common with other disinfectants. Vital Oxide has the lowest toxicity level that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) gives pesticide (disinfectant) applications – Category 4 – which means that you do not need to wear gloves or any other personal protection equipment while applying it for general use. Vital Oxide is safe to use on virtually any surface that can get wet; it’s non-corrosive to treated surfaces." (2) Here are some of the suggested steps to disinfect farm areas, pens, stalls, and more with Vital Oxide. (2) Remove all animals and feed from the premises, vehicles, and enclosures. Remove all litter and manure from floors, walls, and surfaces of barns, pens, stalls, chutes, and other facilities and fixtures occupied or traversed by animals. Empty all troughs, racks, and other feeding and water appliances. Thoroughly clean all surfaces with soap or detergent and rinse with water. Vital Oxide may also be used for this pre-cleaning step. Saturate all surfaces with Vital Oxide undiluted for a period of 10 minutes for disinfection. Immerse all halters, ropes, and other types of equipment used in handling and restraining animals, as well as forks, shovels, and scrapers used for removing litter and manure, in Vital Oxide for 10 minutes. Allow surfaces, tools, and equipment to air dry. Ventilate buildings, vehicles, and other closed spaces. Drain any pooled product and/or rinse the standing product with potable water. Do not house livestock or employ equipment until treatment has been absorbed or dried. So there you have it. Vital Oxide can help keep your farm and your precious new babies safe and healthy in spite of diseases. Questions? If you want to learn more about how Vital Oxide can help you or if you have any questions, you can contact an agent near you. They will be happy to assist you. Resources 1 https://www.oie.int/en/the-world-organisation-for-animal-health-oie-calls-for-increased-surveillance-of-avian-influenza-as-outbreaks-in-poultry-and-wild-birds-intensify/ 2 https://vitaloxide.com/blogs/blog/avian-influenza-spreads-in-europe-and-asia

In 2021 there were 139.82 million reported human births worldwide. That is a whole lot of babies! And a whole lot of dirty diapers! To say that there is a load of extra work with a baby in the house would be an understatement. There are many loads! But there is also no other room in your home that needs to be kept clean than the one in which your child sleeps and plays. We all know that using any kind of cleaning products around children, especially babies can be dangerous. Fumes and other toxic things can be especially hazardous to our young ones during their developmental years. That being said, we also recognize that we have to clean and disinfect their rooms, their toys, and more. Just because a chemical cleaner makes things look good doesn't mean it is actually killing germs or other bacteria that can find their way into your baby's room, toys, clothes, and more. What can we do to protect our smallest humans? According to an article about Vital Oxide (1) this product was "designed around chemistry that is unique in all of nature. Effective on a wide range of viruses and bacteria, including 'superbugs' like MRSA and H1N1, Vital Oxide breaks down to simple table salt and produces no harmful by-products." This is important because that means Vital Oxide is very safe to use. When it comes to our smallest citizens that is a vital part of life! Vital Oxide can help kill all of the bad germs that can make their homes in your child's room. Dr. Benjamin Tanner, Ph.D., and the president of Antimicrobial Test Labs, LLC, is considered an expert on the "germy nature" of a baby's room. Germ hot spots include light switches, doorknobs, drawer handles (1), and the like. These places should be disinfected daily. "The most critical areas are diapers and the millions of germs in them. These germs are easily spread to anything that comes in contact with the baby’s poop. Because germs are invisible to the naked eye, they can be transferred to clean surfaces without our knowing where they will continue to grow exponentially," according to Dr. Tanner. It only makes sense then, that we need to keep the following areas especially disinfected in our baby's room. The Changing Table The changing table or whatever area you use to commonly change your baby's dirty diaper is "the place where diaper messes and germs are transferred from the diaper to the baby's skin and possibly the parent's hands and surfaces. A dirty diaper has more germs in it than anything else in the nursery," according to Dr. Tanner. He suggests cleaning this area every day by washing it with hot, soapy water. After drying, spray the area lightly with Vital Oxide to eliminate any germs. Also, make sure to clean the changing pad, diaper pail, and any other area that comes into contact with a dirty diaper. The Laundry While you should clean and disinfect the laundry hamper for the baby's clothes, you can also use Vital Oxide in the washing machine itself to get rid of those pesky bacteria that don't get washed away and go down the drain. According to Dr. Tanner (1), "A common misconception people have is that detergents kill germs… but detergents don't usually kill germs by themselves. Washing clothes in a normal wash setting is okay when they're lightly soiled because most germs will simply go down the drain. Even if they do remain on clothing they'll likely be present at sub-ineffective levels. Increasing the temperature of the wash cycle to 140 degrees kills the germs that don't go down the drain. Heavily soiled laundry (especially if soiled with fecal matter) is much different because the quantities of germs on the clothes will be much greater." Vital Oxide is safe on your baby's clothes (and your's, too!) and will not harm the colors, but it will get rid of those "stinky, poop odors!" The Floor This is one area that is often forgotten when it comes to disinfecting. When we have a baby or little one who plays on the floor, however, we need to make sure the floor is clean and sanitized giving the baby and you a clean place to play. Dr. Tanner does note that "most floor germs aren't of the harmful type, but it's still a hot spot to keep an eye on." "Vital Oxide can be diluted 5 to 1 to use as a sanitizer on almost any floor or carpet, eliminating 99.999% of harmful bacteria." (1) It can also eliminate bacteria that cause odors. Baby's and Children's Toys Because our little ones tend to put everything in their mouths, keeping their toys washed and then lightly sprayed with Vital Oxide at the end of the play day will help keep those toys more germ-free. "Vital Oxide is so safe to use, you can spray it on a child’s toy without rinsing making it a 'feel-good to use product.'" The Bathtub While the idiom, "Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater" really doesn't have a lot to do with this article, we would be remiss if we didn't mention that disinfecting the bathtub, sink, floor, and toilet are also good practices in which to engage! A light spray of Vital Oxide after washing the surfaces should do the job! Questions? If you want to learn more about how Vital Oxide can help you or if you have any questions, you can contact an agent near you. They will be happy to assist you. Resources https://vitaloxide.com/blogs/blog/how-to-get-rid-of-bacteria-and-mold-in-children-spaces-safely

I remember being in college. Spring break was a big deal for many students then and it remains a big deal today. Spring break plans were dampened as well as nearly everything else for that past couple of springs, but so far it looks like everything is on track for the party to commence! So pack your bags and get ready for a good time whether you are in college or somewhere else. Spring Break Spring break is right around the corner (for those of you living in snowier climates, yes, it really is coming soon!). Spring break has been notorious for behaviors that are, shall we say, not always very becoming of the young men and women engaged in them. Nevertheless, we are not here to cast judgment. We are here to help make your spring break more fun and healthy. Well, at least as much as humanly possible! Spring break, for many, is a time to go and party with your old friends and to make new ones. It typically happens sometime in March and comes after final exams for the quarter. Because of the timing of Easter, spring break can vary a bit on when it takes place. Many people head to warmer areas like Florida, Texas, or California for their spring breaks. But any place that a party can be held, can be a place for spring break! Am I right? So let the party begin . . . WAIT!!! But, I'm all packed and ready to go. Why do I have to wait? Let's check your bags and make sure you really are ready to go and have a safer time while you mingle with the hundreds of thousands of others that could potentially be at the same party. An article on Trip Savvy (1) gives a practical guide to packing your bags with the essentials. Here is an abbreviated list from that article. Clothing. It will depend on where you are going as to what you will pack, but if you are going to the beach, pack at least three swimsuits and a covering and don't forget your jeans in case it is cool in the evenings. Technology. Go light unless you are planning to work on your break. Most smartphones now have fabulous cameras. If you plan to spend time just relaxing and not partying, then bring your tablet or laptop with movies. Toiletries. You don't want to stink, so bring your shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, razor, deodorant, and don't forget the sunscreen if you are going to the beach or any other sunny spot. Medications. Include pain relief medications, too, and maybe some aloe in case you get a sunburn. Other essentials. A journal, beach bag, dry bag, and a safety whistle. Okay. That should about do it, right? Don't forget the most important items to pack But I have my sunscreen, what else do I need? If you are going to pack two additional things in your suitcase, pack these two things: Vital Oxide BioProtect Hydrating Hand Sanitizer The convenient travel sizes are great for short vacations no matter where you are going. I do not leave home without these two products. These products can protect against so many different bacteria, microbes, germs and so much more. I use them in my home, my place of work, when I go to church. I use them everywhere! In a nutshell, Vital Oxide is an all-in-one Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered hospital-grade disinfectant, cleaner, sanitizer, mold and mildew remover, and odor eliminator! While BIOPROTECT™ Hydrating Hand Sanitizer is an FDA-registered hand sanitizer that kills 99.99% of germs and bacteria on your hands up to 6 hours! It moisturizes and hydrates hands as it kills germs and bacteria. It is infused with soothing aloe vera. And my favorite part, it is fragrance-free, dye-free, paraben-free, and sulfate-free. You won't feel sticky or smell like you dipped your hands in alcohol after using this product. Finals You deserve your spring break or vacation. You worked hard, now have a great and safer time! Make sure to pack the essentials and forget about the books for a while! Questions or need more information? Do you have more questions or need more information? Find an agent near you who will be happy to assist you. Resources 1, https://www.tripsavvy.com/the-ultimate-spring-break-packing-list-3894397

Valentine's Day. February 14. It's that one day of the year when we do special "love" things for the ones we love. We may do those things because we feel "obligated" to do so. Or we may feel that it is a special day to honor our loved ones with gifts from floral bouquets to candy to engagement rings. According to an article in the February 2022 issue of the Todd-Wadena Courier, "People love the idea of love. If this were not true, Valentine’s Day would not be the third most-priciest holiday in the United States. In 2021 over $21.8 billion was forked over in the name of love, according to Wallethub. "But, as the article states, 'love might not be the only motivator. Roughly 34% of people expect their Valentine to spend at least $50 on a gift, and 47% of people would also break up with their significant other if he or she spent irresponsibly, so fear is a factor, too.'” (1) Whatever the reason is, it is apparent that we do things in the name of love. It is as true today as it always was. We do so many things for those we love, but do we give much thought to the things we do every day to help show our loved ones just how much they mean to us? Examples of showing our appreciation/love every day Of course, we all have our own unique ways of showing our families, spouses, significant others, children, and other people in our lives that we love them. It might be as simple as making the bed or a meal or as complex as planning out a vacation or special trip. It doesn't matter what our special thing is as long as it conveys to the other person that they are important and loved. According to an article found on Bonobology (2), there are 10 ways to show someone that you love them: Tell them how you feel Little things go a long way to show someone you love them Surprise them to show them you love them Be there for them through thick and thin Show someone you love them by complimenting them Make bonds with people who matter to your partner Remember days/dates that are important to them Ask for their opinion and value it Make them feel special through romantic gestures Try not to hurt them and make up with them if you do Well, we would like to respectfully add the 11th way and it is probably one of the best ways to show someone that you love them. Give them a safer home, workplace, school, and more We would be remiss if we didn't include what we consider vital to the health and well-being of our loved ones—a cleaner/sanitized home, workplace, and more. Keeping a cleaner, safer home is more than just slopping some water on the floor and calling it mopped or running a rag over the dust on the TV screen. We are talking about sanitizing your home, workplace, school, or other places (that you have clearance or permission to clean/sanitize at!!) Since most of us have a reasonable assurance that we can sanitize/clean in our own homes we will stick to that example when we talk about this section. Keeping your home clean and sanitized is more important now than ever and what a great way to show your significant others/family that you care for them. Using Vital Oxide just might be the best Valentine's Day gift you can give your family. This stuff works! We have used it to remove mold and mildew, cat urine smell, and so much more. It kills germs, microbes, bacteria, and other nasty things that can make you sick. Watch this short video to get more information on this simple process to keep your home sanitized for up to 90 days! This Valentine's Day (and all year round) give your loved ones the assurance that you are protecting them in every way possible. Questions or need further information? Do you have more questions? Find an agent near you who will be happy to assist you. Resources 1 https://onedrive.live.com/view.aspxcid=531A6FF7BB5CEF30&authKey=%21AERC4KnwrpSXKbQ&resid=531A6FF7BB5CEF30%2197217&ithint=%2Epdf&open=true&app=WordPdf 2 https://www.bonobology.com/proven-ways-to-show-someone-you-love-them/

Having a safe space to work is important. In fact, employee safety is a top concern for many employers. According to a survey done by Littler, an employment law practice and reported by Industry Week, "The majority of respondents (93%) are worried about ensuring that workplace conditions and policies comply with applicable safety and health regulations. The most common steps taken in response were communicating hygiene practices and prevention measures (98%), restricting travel (83%), and canceling meetings (78%). Several survey respondents also said they were grappling with how to address employee anxiety and how to find the right balance in responding appropriately without panicking employees." 1 A safe space goes beyond just the physical workspace. Many of us work jobs or have side work that requires us (or at least inspires us) to go to exhibitions and other shows where we can display, model, or present our information. Keeping those spaces safe is also a big concern for many because if you are shaking hundreds of hands during a show, you sure don't want to get sick or make others sick. Lastgerm.com has got you covered! Distributor Shows There are a lot of distributor shows and opportunities that come up all year round, but especially in the spring of the year to show off your company's products. What a great time to show your potential customers that you really care about them by giving them added protection during a show. Sure they are going to visit many other booths, even those of your competition, but you just might have an edge by showing your visitors that you care for their health by not only having bottles of BioProtect Hydrating Hand Sanitizer at their disposal but also keeping your show area sanitized throughout the day with Vital Oxide. Looking for someplace to network? There are numerous events happening everywhere, and the Small Business Expo is top-notch!! They are a bit spendy if you want to exhibit, but the payback can be incredible! If you just want to get into an event and do some networking, it's FREE!! Grab a pile of fliers, business cards, or better yet... use your Verb App and start getting those priceless connections! Here is a link for the upcoming small business expo networking events. https://www.thesmallbusinessexpo.com/ There are hundreds of shows around, though, and you could even host one yourself! The options are endless! Special Exhibitor Specials Lastgerm has a couple of really great exhibitor packages to help you have the safe space you are looking for at an exhibition/convention/trade show. This one has everything you need for keeping your booth or area sanitized for a day or two or more conventions. You will not only keep your space sanitized, but you will also have hundreds of hand sanitizer uses with this package. When you have several hundred or several thousand people coming through, you will be set with this package! Questions or need more information? Do you have more questions? Find an agent near you who will be happy to assist you. Resources 1 https://www.industryweek.com/talent/article/21127581/survey-reveals-top-employer-concerns-during-covid19

For many years bleach has been a go-to product for cleaning and disinfecting our homes, businesses, and anyplace else that needs a good cleaning/sanitizing. In this week's blog, we are going to take a look at some of the truths about bleach use that are less than pleasant. "Bleach is a highly hazardous chemical that can be found in many cleaning supplies such as toilet cleaners, stain removers, and even tile residue removers. Unfortunately, many households use these products without the slightest of (sic) clue that it contains chemicals within its composition that can taint the indoor air and potentially impact the health of those exposed to these dangerous chemicals in the air." (1) In and of itself, bleach is an effective disinfectant and is often recommended as the go-to product by several industries. When serving as the program director of a group home, the Minnesota Department of Health required us to use a water/bleach mix for everything several times a day. That was several years ago, but bleach is still widely used today, maybe even more so in the past couple of years. But is bleach okay for daily or even weekly use? Let's look at a few things. What is bleach? According to Wikipedia "Bleach is the generic name for any chemical product that is used industrially and domestically to remove the color from fabric or fiber or to clean or to remove stains in a process called bleaching. It often refers, specifically, to a dilute solution of sodium hypochlorite, also called "liquid bleach". Many bleaches have broad-spectrum bactericidal properties, making them useful for disinfecting and sterilizing, and are used in swimming pool sanitation to control bacteria, viruses, and algae and in many places where sterile conditions are required. They are also used in many industrial processes, notably in the bleaching of wood pulp. Bleaches also have other minor uses like removing mildew, killing weeds, and increasing the longevity of cut flowers. "Chlorine, a powerful oxidizer, is the active agent in many household bleaches. Since pure chlorine is a toxic corrosive gas, these products usually contain hypochlorite, which releases chlorine when needed. "Bleaching powder" usually means a formulation containing calcium hypochlorite. Oxidizing bleaching agents that do not contain chlorine are usually based on peroxides such as hydrogen peroxide, sodium percarbonate, and sodium perborate. These bleaches are called 'non-chlorine bleach,' 'oxygen bleach' or 'color-safe bleach.'" Given the above description of some of the chemical agents, bleach may not always seem like the best "first-choice." (2) Perhaps the $100,000 question is this: Is bleach safe? According to an AARP article titled 6 things you should never do with bleach, "liquid bleach can be a safe and efficient cleaner and disinfectant when handled correctly but can be rather harmful when not used properly. Though a staple in American homes for more than a century, many households appear to be unfamiliar with its potential dangers." (3) The fact is, that bleach by itself is not a "cleaner," but is useful as a disinfectant. Bleach, when combined with certain chemicals can be a good cleaner, but it still may not be the safest or best option. According to the article found at EnviroKlenz Air Purifiers, "The inherent risks and dangers of bleach is a commonly known threat, as the warning labels listed on this product clearly addresses – including risks if swallowed and other exposure risks. According to a publication that addresses Bleach Toxicity, they concluded the following about the toxicity risks of bleach; “The toxicity of bleach depends on where it is applied. Bleach can cause significant eye irritation and irritation to the mouth and throat. A dangerous threat of bleach is when this chemical agent is mixed with other household cleaners, such as ammonia.” (1) According to a fact sheet used to teach about bleach (4) breathing in bleach fumes can be dangerous especially for young children whose lungs are still developing. If you have used bleach, you also are aware that the fumes can be nasty. But there are many ways you can be harmed by bleach. According to a fact sheet from the Michigan Department of Community Health, you can be harmed in the following ways: (5) You can be harmed by bleach by breathing in the chlorine gas it releases, by drinking it, or by touching it. Breathing - People using chlorine-containing household products such as laundry bleach are not usually exposed to chlorine gas when bleach is used as directed on the label. However, you can be exposed to harmful levels of chlorine gas if bleach is mixed with products that contain acid, such as toilet bowl cleaner, or products that contain ammonia. Drinking - People can be harmed by drinking products that contain high amounts of bleach. Drinking water from a municipal water supply has very low levels of chlorine; not enough to be a risk to your health. Touching - Chlorine can irritate or burn the skin, especially moist areas such as the mouth. Chlorine does not absorb very well into the skin, but a small amount can pass through. Eye contact – Your eyes can be exposed to chlorine in the air or through contact with water that contains chlorine. Moisture on the eye combines with chlorine to form an acid, causing burning and irritation. From experience, I can tell you that mixing bleach with other household cleaners is a big no-no! When I was younger and just starting out as a housekeeper, I needed to clean some really nasty showers so I mixed bleach with toilet bowl cleaner... BIG MISTAKE! Fortunately, we had other bathroom facilities within the building and I was able to close off the shower part for the rest of the day and let it air out. The smell was still there for several days afterward, however. I never made that mistake again. After that mishap, I was much more careful to read the labels on products before I used them. Why use bleach when there is a better, longer-lasting, safer alternative? Vital Oxide is a great alternative to using bleach. It doesn't have the toxic fumes or other dangerous chemicals that can cause you, your children, or your pets problems. (Always keep cleaners, disinfectants, sanitizers out of reach of children and pets!) Vital Oxide can be safely used on surfaces that need sanitizing. It kills microbes, bacteria, and other icky things that could harm us humans and our second step, BioProtect, keeps them away for up to 90 days! Can bleach say that? Nope, in fact, bleach has a shelf life of about six months before it starts to degrade—even when stored in its original container. If it is diluted with water, it is much shorter. (6) Check out this article for more information about Vital Oxide and its many uses. Do you have more questions? Find an agent near you who will be happy to assist you. Resources https://enviroklenzairpurifiers.com/hazards-of-bleach-fumes-indoors/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bleach https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2020/bleach-precautions.html https://wspehsu.ucsf.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/FactSheet_Bleach.pdf https://www.michigan.gov/documents/michiganprepares/Bleach_Fact_Sheet_08-2014_466233_7.pdf https://findanyanswer.com/how-long-does-bleach-and-water-solution-last