Dr. Charles P. Gerba Interview

An interview with Dr. Charles P. Gerba, University of Arizona Microbiologist and directory of the study on bulk soap contamination.

When you use soap from a contaminated bulk soap dispenser, what are you actually putting on your hands? Video

Every time you use that soap you’re getting hundreds of million fecal bacteria on your hands which is actually more than is in the toilet after you flush it. That’s why I can’t really use it anymore. I look at it and go "I got a hundred million fecal bacteria on my hands". As a microbiologist I don’t like the idea of putting a 100 million fecal bacteria on my hands [when I’m washing them, when I’m trying to remove them].

What is the difference between SANITARY SEALED™ Systems and open refillable bulk soap dispensers? Video

A sealed system is sealed at the factory during manufacturing where the bulk system is actually refilled at the facility. It may actually be diluted with water and may be contaminated from the water and people putting their fingers in the soap. That doesn’t happen with a sealed system.

Will stainless steel help control the growth of bacteria? Video

Stainless steel will not actually control microbial growth. They are very easy surfaces to clean. They won’t control microbial growth.

What is the responsibility of the industry with regard to the contamination issues surrounding bulk soap dispensers? Video

I think the industry that supplies bulk soap should promote the use of sealed containers and not reusable fillable containers. I think it’s their responsibility to do that.

Dr. Charles P. Gerba

B.A. in Microbiology, Arizona State University, 1969
Ph.D. in Microbiology, University of Miami, Florida, 1973

Dr. Gerba has authored more than 400 articles including several text books in environmental microbiology and pollution science. He actively conducts research on the development of new disinfectants and drinking water treatment processes, new methods for the detection of waterborne pathogens, occurrence and fate of pathogens in the environment, and microbial risk assessment. He was a member of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Committee on the development of the "Guide Standard and Protocol for Testing Microbiological Water Purifiers," which forms the basis for testing the performance of water treatment devices used for outdoor recreation. He is a member of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Science Advisory Board Committees on Drinking Water and Research Strategies. He is a member of the American Academy of Microbiology.