Global Hygiene Home Truths Study 2010

Sagar Media Inc: 21 October 2010

Dr. Narendra Saini, India Representative of the Global Hygiene Council, Mr. Chander Mohan Sethi, Chairman and Managing Director of Reckitt Benckiser (India) Ltd along with Dr. V K Monga, Chairman, Public Health Committee, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) unveiling the Home Hygiene Report 2010 at a press conference toady at Le’ Meredian.

Global Hygiene Home Truths Study 2010 was released today in the capital in collaboration with Dettol, the gold standard for germ protection brand from Reckitt Benckiser’s stable. The study, which was carried out in nine countries across the globe, showed it is not necessarily how frequently cleaning takes place that matters - but targeting the right areas with the


right cleaning method.

The study reveals that the most commonly used surfaces like the bathroom seals, inside fridges, kitchen towels and computer keyboards/ mouse pads were some of the most highly contaminated hygiene hotspots in homes worldwide.

Bathroom seals were the dirtiest site found worldwide, with over two thirds (70%) failing bacterial tests, and over half (56%) failing mould tests, despite over a third (37%) appearing clean.

The inside of fridges came a close second to bathroom seals, as nearly half (46%) of households worldwide failed bacterial contamination tests. Fridges were also one of the least cleaned items.

Kitchen towels were found to be unsatisfactory or unacceptably dirty in over a third (36%) of cases worldwide. Only 42% of global respondents change and clean their kitchen towels daily and 16% change them only when they looked dirty.

19% of computer keyboards were unsatisfactory and it was observed that people will eat and pass on bacteria via the computer.

Releasing the report; Mr. Chander Mohan Sethi, Chairman and Managing Director of Reckitt Benckiser ( India ) Ltd, said, “We believe, as a leader in germ protection, Dettol has a responsibility of educating public masses on correct hygiene practices. This year the study clearly indicates that certain areas in our homes are being neglected when it comes to hygiene. Taking forward our 2009 message of hand washing as our first line of defense, the study further indicates dirty hands can transfer bacteria onto surfaces around the home. Despite poor hygiene conditions in India and half (50%) of samples being unsatisfactory, 90% of households felt that the cleanliness in their home was spotless or satisfactory. Thus, it is recommended that proper cleaning is needed in the areas that seem to be missed.”

Dr. Narendra Saini, India Representative of the Global Hygiene Council, says, “It is imperative that we continue to spread awareness about improving hygiene at home and at the workplace. Bathroom seals and kitchen towels were the dirtiest sites even though they often appeared clean to the naked eye. Time spent cleaning is not as important as the quality of the cleaning carried out. ”

This is a concern, as evidence from existing studies shows a relationship between the presence of household mould or damp and an increase in the incidence of health problems such as fungal infections, respiratory illness, asthma and allergies. Effective cleaning of surfaces in homes is particularly important because the flu virus can remain infectious for up to 24 hours on stainless steel and plastic surfaces, and up to 48 hours on wooden surface