What are the aforementioned organizations involved in this forum doing to protect Veterans from the overuse and misuse of Disinfectants ?

PFC Sherrie Pace-Truitt — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 12:51:59 -0400

"French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm) looked at the incidence of the disease in more than 55,000 nurses in the US and identified a link between the use of bleach and other common disinfectants and a higher incidence of COPD. "
https://www.ioshmagazine.com/regular-use-disinfectants-linked-higher-risk-fatal-lung-disease?
"Disinfectants are not cleaners; they are pesticides designed to kill or inactivate microbes. Therefore, they are not products that should be used freely. Overuse of some disinfectant products can potentially create microbes that are resistant to particular disinfectants or that become “superbugs.”"
https://www.turi.org/Our_Work/Cleaning_Laboratory/Resources_and_Information/Disinfection/Guide_to_Safe_and_Effective_Cleaning_and_Disinfecting
"The report by Womens Voices for the Earth (WVE) -- titled Disinfectant Overkill: How Too Clean May Be Hazardous to Our Health -- cites more than 40 scientific studies that illustrate the health risks associated with chemicals found in kitchen cleaners, handy wipes, and other common cleaning products."
https://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/11/disinfectants.html?

Regular use of disinfectants linked to higher risk of fatal lung disease | IOSH Magazine

A 30-year study by scientists at Harvard University and the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm) looked at the incidence of the disease in more than 55,000 nurses in the US and identified a link between the use of bleach and other common disinfectants and a higher incidence of COPD. Certain tasks that involved frequent exposure to disinfectants, such as cleaning surfaces and specific chemicals in disinfectants,...

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jul 21 at 2020 1:16 PM

LTC John Shaw — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 13:16:04 -0400

I never really thought about the dangers of overuse or toxic impacts of use in closed rooms.

Response by CW5 Jack Cardwell made Jul 21 at 2020 1:17 PM

CW5 Jack Cardwell — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 13:17:57 -0400

Are you still a 63B mechanic??

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jul 21 at 2020 1:34 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 13:34:57 -0400

Thank you Sherrie for this eye opening info, I know that it's dangerous to mix certain cleaning chemicals.

Response by Maj John Bell made Jul 21 at 2020 2:21 PM

Maj John Bell — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 14:21:41 -0400

I know it is not a popular perspective right now, but...

The government should require the producers of disinfectants to put appropriate labels on their products.

Then veterans should take responsibility for their own use or overuse of disinfectants.

When I was a kid, (like under 10) I knew enough to not breathe in the fumes from cleaning products, make sure the windows were open and to get a fan to exhaust the fumes out a window. I've about had it up to here with people and organizations trying to protect me. I'm not a child. Give me the appropriate information, then lead, follow, or get out of the way.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jul 21 at 2020 4:10 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 16:10:13 -0400

I guess I do not see enough information to comment at length. While there are risks to the use of disinfectants, there are often far greater hazards that come about in the absence of disinfecting. If you are referring to VA hospitals and clinics, I would hope that they are following manufacturers guidance and that of their internal specialists. I would rather have sterile surfaces than hazardous ones. Non the less your concerns are obviously valid.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Jul 22 at 2020 3:11 PM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Wed, 22 Jul 2020 15:11:01 -0400

Study needs to include housekeepers as at many hospital the largest responsibility of cleaning and disinfecting falls with housekeepers.