Disinfectants and cleaning products harboring toxic chemicals are widely used despite lack of screening for potential health hazards

Quaternary ammonium compounds, also known as QACs or quats, are commonly used antimicrobials also found in many household products. Soap and water may be a safer bet when cleaning surfaces.

Courtney Carignan, Assistant Professor of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University • conversation
May 9, 2023 • ~6 min

While spending holidays at home, here are a dozen more things you can do to help stop COVID-19

Inaction over the next few months could cost tens of thousands of lives. Here are things you should do now to stay safe and to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Pamela M. Aaltonen, Professor Emerita; Immediate Past President, APHA, Purdue University • conversation
Nov. 19, 2020 • ~7 min

As CDC warns against Thanksgiving travel, here are a dozen more things you can do to help stop COVID-19

Inaction over the next few months could cost tens of thousands of lives. Here are things you should do now to stay safe and to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Pamela M. Aaltonen, Professor Emerita; Immediate Past President, APHA, Purdue University • conversation
Nov. 19, 2020 • ~6 min

Hoarding, stockpiling, panic buying: What's normal behavior in an abnormal time?

The pandemic has put a spotlight on a once little-discussed disorder – hoarding. But hoarding disorder is not what you might think.

Carol Mathews, Professor of Psychiatry, University of Florida • conversation
Nov. 17, 2020 • ~8 min

Sketchy darknet websites are taking advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic – buyer beware

The global pandemic has fueled illicit online sales of COVID-19 commodities, some of which are dangerous or illegal. Researchers are assessing the size and reach of this underground market.

David Maimon, Associate Professor of Criminal Justice and Criminology, Georgia State University • conversation
Aug. 19, 2020 • ~7 min

Coronavirus: heavy use of hand sanitisers could boost antimicrobial resistance

Misuse of common cleaning products or hand sanitisers can lead to antimcrobial resistance in bacteria.

Winston Morgan, Reader in Toxicology and Clinical Biochemistry, University of East London • conversation
April 17, 2020 • ~6 min

Viruses live on doorknobs and phones and can get you sick – smart cleaning and good habits can help protect you

The coronavirus, like many infectious diseases, can live and spread on inanimate objects in the world around us. An epidemiologist explains how and gives some advice on how to minimize the risk.

Joseph Eisenberg, Professor and Chair of Epidemiology, University of Michigan • conversation
March 17, 2020 • ~7 min

Vodka won't protect you from coronavirus, and 4 other things to know about hand sanitizer

Most commercial hand sanitizers are mainly alcohol, but forget about hitting the liquor store and mixing your own.

Jeffrey Gardner, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore County • conversation
March 13, 2020 • ~4 min

Coronavirus: not all hand sanitisers work against it – here's what you should use

It needs to contain at least 60% alcohol content to be effective.

Manal Mohammed, Lecturer, Medical Microbiology, University of Westminster • conversation
March 13, 2020 • ~5 min

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