We serve as a trusted resource for the latest news and helpful information related to skin health and surface hygiene advancements. GOJO microbiologists, scientists,
nurses and other professionals post regularly
and we also get the views of outside experts and
thought leaders in the field. It’s all part of the
GOJO Purpose, Saving Lives and Making Lives Better Through Well-Being Solutions.
Dawn Yeomans, Ph.D.
Research Principal, GOJO Industries
Dr. Dawn Yeomans joined GOJO Industries in 2020, having spent more than 15 years supporting product development and advancing science and technology at leading FMCG companies including Procter & Gamble and Unilever. In her role at GOJO, Dr. Yeomans is responsible for new product innovation – ensuring GOJO continues to deliver market-leading, superior hygiene solutions to uniquely meet our customers’ needs. Dr. Yeomans holds a BSc. degree in Biochemistry, MSc. degree in Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, and PhD degree in Biomedical Sciences. Her areas of technical expertise are in skin health and hygiene science. For information on her research, visit her ORCiD.
Keeping Outdoor Germs Outside of Your Facility
5/4/2022
By Dawn Yeomans, Ph.D.
Research Principal, GOJO Industries
It’s no surprise that as the weather improves, students and staff are spending more time outdoors taking advantage of playgrounds, outdoor seating, dining areas, and athletic and sports fields. Many campuses, additionally, have begun to utilize temporary or even permanent outdoor learning spaces. While the outdoors is a great place to play and learn, unfortunately, it can also be a major source of illness-causing germs.
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7 Ways to Get a Head Start on Germ Defense Next Year
4/5/2022
By Dawn Yeomans, Ph.D.
Research Principal, GOJO Industries
K-12 facility managers, teachers, and staff deserve a pat on the back for helping their schools stay open this academic year. And there is no rest; while the 2021-2022 school year nears completion, facility managers are already preparing for the next school year, which will likely look different yet again. With the pandemic (hopefully) in the rear-view mirror, facility managers may want to breathe a sigh of relief, but now is not the time to let up the guard. With masks disappearing from use and other COVID practices like social distancing relaxing, germs will likely re-emerge, possibly with a vengeance.
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Surface Disinfecting Wipes Make Classroom Cleaning Easier and Faster
3/15/2022
By Dawn Yeomans, Ph.D.
Research Principal, GOJO Industries
Schools are full of germs. More than a decade ago, leading microbiologist Dr. Chuck Gerba conducted pivotal research showing that 25-50% of surfaces in the classroom can harbor germs that cause stomach bugs and the flu during winter months. With germs ever present in our schools and nearly half of school staff reporting disinfecting their classrooms at least four times a day, many classrooms probably have a stash of disinfectant wipes to help teachers and staff efficiently keep surfaces germ-free.
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How Long Should You Wash Your Hands?
2/21/2022
By Dawn Yeomans, Ph.D.
Research Principal, GOJO Industries
By now, everyone knows that keeping hands clean is important to reduce germs that may cause illness. While washing hands with soap and water is one of the best ways to achieve this, it has to be done correctly. We've all heard leading scientists and health organizations tell us to scrub hands thoroughly with soap and clean water for at least 20 seconds, but have you ever wondered, "Why 20 seconds?"
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4 Cleaning Steps to Avoid a Flu Outbreak on Your Campus
12/9/2021
By Dawn Yeomans, Ph.D.
Research Principal, GOJO Industries
With the fall semester wrapping up and students looking forward to a return to classes in 2022, many colleges and universities are on high alert to see just how bad the flu season will be this year. Obviously, schools want to reduce the impact of flu as well as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Healthy students learn better, and healthy teachers teach better. Unlike previous years, we have no idea what to expect for the 2021-2022 flu season.
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Helping Kids Avoid the “Winter-Hand Blues”
11/9/2021
By Dawn Yeomans, Ph.D.
Research Principal, GOJO Industries
Do your kids suffer from dry, damaged, irritated hands as the weather grows colder? If so, they’re not alone. Winter weather is not fun for skin; cold weather, low humidity, and indoor heating create dry air, which steals moisture away from the skin every second of every day. Scientific studies have shown that the top layers of skin, called the stratum corneum, hold 25% less water in low humidity conditions.
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Bouncing Back After a COVID Outbreak in Your School
9/30/2021
By Dawn Yeomans, Ph.D.
Research Principal, GOJO Industries
With trusted organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics advocating for in-person learning this school year, keeping schools open and safe for students and staff is a top priority. Unfortunately, no matter how good your school's infection prevention strategy and how many mitigation layers it contains, COVID-19 outbreaks and school closures are on the rise, with schools across the country temporarily shutting down as infection rates soar in their classrooms and communities.
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Interactive Hand Hygiene Experiments for K-12 Students
8/10/2021
By Dawn Yeomans, Ph.D.
Research Principal, GOJO Industries
Schools are germy settings. As students go about their day at school, they touch shared objects like computer mice, water fountains, gym equipment, or the lunch checkout keypad, which contains thousands of germs. Some of those germs will hang out on their hands and can be introduced into their bodies when they touch their eyes, nose, and mouth.
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Aren’t All Hand Soaps Essentially the Same?
7/20/2021
By Dawn Yeomans, Ph.D.
Research Principal, GOJO Industries
The short answer is a confusing “yes and no.” We’ve all had the experience of using a soap that didn’t lather properly or that left our skin feeling tight and dry. This is because the soap formulation itself – as well as the practice related to dispensing the formulation – matter, for how the soap performs and feels during use, its germ and dirt removal efficacy, and how the soap leaves skin feeling after use. Here’s a little science to help understand why something as simple as soap can perform so differently and what to look out for when choosing a hand soap for your school district or college campus.
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What Chemicals Are In Your School's Cleaning Products?
7/6/2021
By Dawn Yeomans, Ph.D.
Research Principal, GOJO Industries
With back-to-school right around the corner, our hopes for the 2021-2022 school year are for our children to return to an in-person learning environment that is safe and healthy for all. But, unfortunately, some products used to disinfect school facilities are a better choice than others, especially for use around children.
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