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.
What to Be Aware of This Winter Germ Season
2/15/2024
By Dawn Yeomans, Ph.D.
Research Principal, GOJO Industries
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the amount of respiratory illness causing people to seek healthcare is elevated across most areas of the country.1 And thought it’s classified as decreasing, there should still be heightened awareness of illnesses circulating as many areas still have high and very high activity.1
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What to Look Out for on a Hand Sanitizer Label
8/14/2023
By Dawn Yeomans, Ph.D.
Research Principal, GOJO Industries
Have you ever wondered what all those ingredients are on the label of a hand sanitizer bottle? It’s easy to see that the main “active” ingredient (the ingredient that kills germs) in alcohol-based hand sanitizers is alcohol (like ethanol or ethyl alcohol). And, since it’s the main ingredient, it is the majority of what is in the bottle. (Effective hand sanitizers have an alcohol content between 60% and 95%.)
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Back-to-School Shopping? 6 Things to Look for in Hand Sanitizer
8/1/2023
By Dawn Yeomans, Ph.D.
Research Principal, GOJO Industries
As summer winds down, parents are digging out their children's supply lists for back-to-school shopping, and teachers are stocking up their classrooms. But back to school also means back to germs. As students and staff gather indoors, touching germy shared surfaces all day, it's important they're cleaning their hands throughout the day. An easy and convenient way to help keep hands clean is to ensure students have access to hand sanitizer at school.
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Do Your School's Disinfectants Leave Chemicals Behind?
5/1/2023
By Dawn Yeomans, Ph.D.
Research Principal, GOJO Industries
Schools are a breeding ground for germs – they're forever plagued by illness outbreaks that potentially disrupt student learning and facility operations. We know that surface disinfection is one key way to break the germ cycle, providing peace of mind that killing germs on surfaces means healthier school facilities. But have we thought enough about what is left behind after we kill the germs, and are we confident it's not another risk to our students and staff?
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New Study Shows Sanitizer May Help Get Kids’ Hands Cleaner
2/24/2023
By Dawn Yeomans, Ph.D.
Research Principal, GOJO Industries
Schools are full of germs. With large numbers of children in close contact with each other, sharing supplies or equipment, campuses often become germ breeding grounds. If you think about all the different objects and surfaces that kids touch daily, handwashing is, without a doubt, one of the easiest and most important ways to help reduce germs that may cause illness in schools.
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Tips to Prevent Norovirus Outbreaks in K-12 Schools
2/16/2023
By Dawn Yeomans, Ph.D.
Research Principal, GOJO Industries
Schools are common settings for spreading germs and illnesses, particularly during the cold winter months when people spend more time inside. While the flu and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) seem to have peaked for this season, norovirus and other "stomach bugs" are wreaking havoc on K-12 schools. A few elementary schools have even been in the U.S. news recently with norovirus outbreaks, some even canceling school for a few days.
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Tips to Prevent Norovirus Outbreaks on Campus
1/27/2023
By Dawn Yeomans, Ph.D.
Research Principal, GOJO Industries
Every January, as K-12 schools, colleges, and universities return to campus after winter break, schools brace for a flare-up of seasonal illnesses as students and staff bring germs from around the country back to campus. This year, high cases of RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) and the flu have been reported throughout the U.S., with COVID-19 cases rising. But, so far, one illness that appears to be hiding just below the radar is the dreaded "winter vomiting bug" or "stomach flu."
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Helping to Engineer a Future of STEM Professionals in Our Own Backyard
1/24/2023
By Dawn Yeomans, Ph.D.
Research Principal, GOJO Industries
For many of us, January is a time of self-reflection, new beginnings, and a renewed focus on personal growth. January is also National Mentoring Month, a time to think about how we can look outward to help others develop their potential and foster our communities to flourish. As a third-generation Family Enterprise, GOJO is committed to strengthening its local community through continued collaboration and cooperation. Our co-founders, Jerry and Goldie Lippman, instilled this vision when they founded GOJO – with a mission to find a better hand-cleaning solution to promote the well-being of factory workers in their hometown of Akron, Ohio.
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Fun Facts and Tips to Encourage Handwashing in Schools
1/19/2023
By Dawn Yeomans, Ph.D.
Research Principal, GOJO Industries
As students return to classrooms after winter break – bringing their germs with them – it's a good time to refresh our hand hygiene technique. But, after living through a pandemic for three years, many kids may be tired of hearing about it and really sick of DOING it! In fact, a recent study by the Global Hygiene Council showed that globally, almost half of 5-10-year-olds (42%) are not always washing their hands with soap at school. This is a serious issue since handwashing with soap and water is one of the best ways to reduce germs that may cause illness.
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Why You Catch a Cold – Is It the Weather, Biology of Your Nose, or Both?
12/9/2022
By Dawn Yeomans, Ph.D.
Research Principal, GOJO Industries
As you may know, winter is prime time for the circulation of respiratory viruses like those that cause colds and the flu. But have you ever wondered why we are more likely to catch colds when the weather cools down? One reasonable explanation is that we tend to spend more time inside during the day when it’s cold and dreary outside – in schools, offices, and other indoor environments – which means lower ventilation levels and closer contact with each other. These factors mean that once one person catches a cold or another respiratory virus like those that cause the flu or COVID, it can more easily spread to others.
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