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Jim Arbogast, Ph.D.
Hygiene Sciences and Public Health Advancements Vice President, GOJO Industries
James W. Arbogast, Ph.D., joined GOJO in 2002 and currently serves as Vice President of Hygiene Sciences and Public Health Advancements. Prior to his appointment to his current role in 2014, Dr. Arbogast held a variety of technical leadership roles in Skin Care Science, Product Development and New Technology with the company. Before joining GOJO, he gained experience in the consumer products industry with Clorox and Dial.
Dr. Arbogast has been directly involved in the formulation and national launch of hundreds of products in the laundry, air freshening, hair care, skin care, and hand hygiene markets. Under his leadership, the Skin Care Science team has conducted numerous field outcome studies with hand hygiene products to determine their real-world effect on skin condition and infection related rates. Additionally, there have been many contributions to advancing the science of hand hygiene around microbiology, clinical studies, analytical chemistry, drug stability and new product development.
Dr. Arbogast has made presentations at major scientific conferences and has authored multiple articles and patents. Dr. Arbogast, who earned a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of California at Los Angeles, has more than 25 years of experience in consumer product development with more than the last 20 years focused on skin care. He resides in Bath, Ohio, with his wife and three children. For information on his research, visit his ORCiD.
Together, We Can Accelerate Action in Improving Hand Hygiene
4/26/2023
By Jim Arbogast, Ph.D.
Hygiene Sciences and Public Health Advancements Vice President, GOJO Industries
As World Hand Hygiene Day approaches on May 5th, we join hospitals around the globe and the World Health Organization (WHO) in raising awareness about the importance of hand hygiene. Using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (ABHS) frequently at key moments and washing with soap and water when hands are visibly soiled or contaminated are key steps in any infection prevention program. Public health organizations all over the world join in this celebration, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Health Canada.
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When to Use Hand Sanitizer
3/28/2023
By Jim Arbogast, Ph.D.
Hygiene Sciences and Public Health Advancements Vice President, GOJO Industries
Here at GOJO, we know hand sanitizer – and when it's best to use it. After all, we invented PURELL® hand sanitizer in 1988. Our team of scientists has been doing industry and public health-leading research on hand hygiene for decades. Our employees set hand sanitizer around the house, in their cars, handbags, and pockets … we give bottles to friends and family for the holidays. We know the key moments that we turn to our product. But maybe you aren't sure.
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Promoting Wellness in the Workplace
3/3/2023
By Jim Arbogast, Ph.D.
Hygiene Sciences and Public Health Advancements Vice President, GOJO Industries
Workplaces have evolved over the course of the pandemic. For some, what once was a daily commute to the office has shifted to hybrid and flexible work schedules. Over the past year, workers have been returning to their offices more frequently. Recently, Kastle Systems data passed 50% office occupancy in the U.S. for the first time since the pandemic began.
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Promoting Public Health Through Collaboration
12/27/2022
By Jim Arbogast, Ph.D.
Hygiene Sciences and Public Health Advancements Vice President, GOJO Industries
Also By David Light
Chief Executive Officer, Valisure
GOJO and Valisure, a leader in independent testing, are collaborating to accelerate independent quality assurance and help ensure that only safe and effective hand hygiene products are available in public settings.
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Hand Hygiene Now and Forever
11/30/2021
By Jim Arbogast, Ph.D.
Hygiene Sciences and Public Health Advancements Vice President, GOJO Industries
Handwashing Awareness Week is a good time to reflect on how our hand hygiene habits have changed since the pandemic began. You may have been negligent about keeping your hands clean pre-pandemic, but one of many things the pandemic has taught us is the importance of hand hygiene and infection prevention best practices. Experts globally, from the World Health Organization (WHO) to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), strongly agree that promoting – and practicing – good hand hygiene is an incredibly effective way to wash away or kill germs that may cause illness. Even after this pandemic passes, we should all continue practicing proper hand hygiene.
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Let’s Celebrate World Hand Hygiene Day
4/30/2021
By Jim Arbogast, Ph.D.
Hygiene Sciences and Public Health Advancements Vice President, GOJO Industries
Every year on May 5th, hospitals around the globe join the World Health Organization (WHO) to celebrate World Hand Hygiene Day and raise awareness for the importance of hand hygiene. Public health organizations around the globe join this celebration, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Health Canada.
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When to Use Soap vs. Hand Sanitizer
8/11/2020
By Jim Arbogast, Ph.D.
Hygiene Sciences and Public Health Advancements Vice President, GOJO Industries
Hand hygiene has been a primary tool in keeping the public healthy during this pandemic. Americans are washing their hands more frequently and for longer. Keeping your hands clean is one of the best ways to remove germs from your hands, but the overuse of some soaps and water can lead to dry and damaged skin. It’s important to not only keep your skin clean, but also healthy. So, when should you wash your hands and when should you sanitize them?
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Debunking 7 Common Myths About Hand Sanitizer
7/14/2020
By Jim Arbogast, Ph.D.
Hygiene Sciences and Public Health Advancements Vice President, GOJO Industries
Alcohol-based hand sanitizers play a role in reducing germs on your hands that may cause illness. In fact, practicing good hand hygiene – handwashing with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when hands are not visibly soiled – is one of the most effective ways to kill germs that may cause disease.
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3 Reasons Why Ethyl Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizers are More Effective
5/13/2020
By Jim Arbogast, Ph.D.
Hygiene Sciences and Public Health Advancements Vice President, GOJO Industries
Nearly all PURELL® hand sanitizing products are ethyl alcohol-based for one very simple reason: alcohol is the most proven effective germ-killing agent for use on skin. So it’s no wonder that when the website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urges frequent handwashing, the internationally-respected health organization adds that, “If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.”1,2
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Healthy Hand Habits for Everyday Life at Home
4/14/2020
By Jim Arbogast, Ph.D.
Hygiene Sciences and Public Health Advancements Vice President, GOJO Industries
While we continue to spend more time at home during this unprecedented pandemic, it’s now more important than ever to pay attention to the key moments throughout your day that you and your loved ones should be washing or sanitizing your hands. Keeping your hands clean is one of the best ways to kill germs that may cause illness.
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