Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are a large classification group of chemicals widely used in kitchen cookware, fire-fighting foams, adhesives, clothing apparel, and polymer coatings. PFAS, or “Forever Chemicals”, were first produced in the 1940’s, for non-stick coatings on cookware.

These substances are concerning because:

They do not break down in the environment. They can move through soil and contaminate drinking water. They build up (bioaccumulate) in fish, wildlife, and humans. PFAS are manmade chemicals that have been used in consumer products worldwide since the 1940s.

The EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency) states that exposure to particular levels of certain PFAS may lead to:

• Adverse health outcomes include immune system effects and natural hormone interference. Research is ongoing to enhance understanding of any health impacts.
• In a lifetime, a person may be exposed to PFAS from various ways, including:
  • Eating food packaged in materials that contain PFAS.
  • Swallowing residue or dust from PFAS products, such as stain-resistant carpet or water-repellent clothing.
  • Drinking water that has been contaminated with PFAS.

Some adults and children may have a higher risk of being exposed to PFAS:

• Industrial workers are more likely to be exposed to products through active contact.
• Pregnant and lactating women are more susceptible to being exposed due to the need to drink more water per pound of body weight.
• Children tend to drink more water, eat more food, and breathe more than adults, which can increase their exposure to PFAS
• Younger children who put items in their mouths are more likely to be exposed to PFAS in carpets, toys, and cleaning products.

Resources and Products

PFAS have historically been used in the cleaning and polish industry to give such qualities as wetting, leveling, and water/oil repellency to floor care products.  Buckeye has never intentionally added PFAS to most of our products.  We are working hard to remove PFAS from all our products, ensuring that they are safe and sustainable for our customers. We will continue to update our PFAS-free product listings as more information and research is conducted.

To stay proactive of the emerging EPA guidance and new state legislations for PFAS, Buckeye removed this material in early 2023 from the following products: 

• Base Hit™
• Juggernaut®
• Liquid Shovel®
• Penetrate™
• Revelation®
• Ripsaw®
• S.W.A.T.® NA

In our sustainability efforts, we have always prioritized safety for workers and the environment. We are committed to enhancing product performance and safety through specialized training programs and education. In continuation of this, Buckeye has also field tested and approved changes to the following products that do not contain intentionally added PFAS:  

• Clarion®25
• Aspida™
• Arena®300
• Verde®
• Verde™Ultra

If you want to learn more about PFAS, check out our Research fact Sheet about PFAS, and visit the CDC or EPA Websites.

CDC data shows that more than 9,100 positive flu tests have been recorded over the first three weeks of the flu season. This is the highest number of positive tests that have been recorded early in a season since the 2009-10 season.

To prevent the flu, the CDC recommends getting the yearly flu vaccine. You can also take a number of everyday preventative actions including avoiding close contact with those who are sick, covering your coughs and sneezes, cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, and washing your hands often.

It’s important for schools, hospitals, and retail facilities to take steps to protect students, patients, and employees from the flu and other diseases that spread during this time of year. One of the first lines of defense is hand hygiene. Ensure people in your facility have access to effective, gentle hand hygiene products that are proven to reduce common disease-causing bacteria.

Symmetry^® offers hand sanitizers and hand washes that people want to use. The Symmetry Hand Hygiene Program offers unique tools that can help educate employees and visitors about hand hygiene and promote proper hand hygiene practices. The Symmetry Behavior Modification System utilizes unique placards and signs that draw attention to hand hygiene opportunities, helping you create a culture of hand hygiene and reduce illness in your facility.

Establishing a consistent, effective cleaning and disinfecting program can reduce the spread of the flu and other germs in your facility. The Buckeye Eco^® Proportioning Program has cleaners and disinfectants for all surface types. Several Eco disinfectants have also been approved by the EPA for use against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19).

For schools and universities, the Buckeye Honors^® Custodial Training Program can provide an additional level of support during flu season. With training modules on proper cleaning and disinfecting procedures for classroom, hallways, restrooms, cafeterias, and more, Honors can ensure your custodial staff are trained and prepared during the 2022-23 flu season and beyond.

Contact your Buckeye representative for more information about how Buckeye products and programs can help you combat the flu this year.

Following the World Health Organization’s (WHO) declaration of the monkeypox outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on Jul 23, on August 4 the White House declared monkeypox a public health emergency. Both WHO and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are working to track the outbreak and provide resources to those who are at risk. Find up-to-date information on the monkeypox outbreak on the CDC and WHO websites below:CDC: 2022 U.S. Monkeypox Outbreak

 

WHO: Monkeypox Outbreak 2022

As the monkeypox outbreak continues to spread, the CDC recommends getting vaccinated if you have been exposed to monkeypox and to speak to your healthcare provider if you are showing symptoms.

Monkeypox spreads through direct contact with an infectious rash or bodily fluids. It can also be transferred by respiratory contact and can survive on environmental surfaces, especially in dark, cool, and low humidity environments. To protect yourself and others it’s important to disinfect potentially contaminated surfaces with an EPA registered disinfectant.

In May 2022 the US EPA activated its Emerging Viral Pathogens (EVP) Policy to allow registrants of disinfectants to make off-label claims against monkeypox virus. The qualified disinfectants must have an EPA stamped master label with an EVP claim for enveloped viruses. Buckeye International has a number of eligible disinfectants. The following products have demonstrated effectiveness against viruses similar to monkeypox virus on hard, non-porous surfaces. Therefore, these products can be used against monkeypox virus when used in accordance with the directions for use against the virus listed for each product in the table on hard, non-porous surfaces. Refer to the CDC for more information.

Product	Use as Directed Against This Virus
Buckeye Eco® Neutral Disinfectant E23	Adenovirus type 7 ATCC VR-7
Buckeye Eco One-Step Disinfectant-Deodorizer-Cleaner E22	Rotavirus, WA strain, University of Ottawa
Buckeye Sanicare Quat-256™	Adenovirus type 7, ATCC VR-7
Buckeye Sanicare Quat-128™	Adenovirus type 7, ATCC VR-7
Buckeye Sanicare Lemon Quat™	Adenovirus type 7, ATCC VR-7
Buckeye Sanicare Mint Quat™	Adenovirus type 7, ATCC VR-7
Buckeye Sanicare Pine Quat™	Adenovirus type 7, ATCC VR-7
Buckeye Terminator™	Rotavirus, WA strain, University of Ottawa
Buckeye Sani-Q2	Norovirus
Buckeye Sanicare TBX™	Human Rotavirus or Rhinovirus Type 39
Sanicare Disinfecting Wipes	Rotavirus
Buckeye Sanicare Quat-64™	Rotavirus
Buckeye Watchdog™ NF	Feline Picornavirus

The reported number of monkeypox cases has risen rapidly over the course of the last month. It’s important to have a disinfection plan for your facility to help prevent the spread of this virus. Contact your local Buckeye representative for more information about Buckeye disinfectants, proper product usage, and combatting monkeypox.

Buckeye’s quality management system has once again achieved registration to the ISO 9001:2015 standard for the design, production, and delivery of over-the-counter and cosmetic products! We’re proud to meet the quality standards of the Performance Review Institute (PRI) Registrar and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

The ISO 9001:2015 standard has helped Buckeye implement the right procedures to ensure quality, consistency, and safety. We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with PRI as we continue to improvement our quality management system to benefit our customers.

“Buckeye has demonstrated its commitment to world class quality by implementing and becoming certified to the ISO 9001:2015 standard. They have joined an elite number of organizations worldwide who have achieved certification to this globally recognized quality standard,” said Randy Daugharthy, Director of the Registrar Program at the Performance Review Institute Registrar. “PRI Registrar is proud to partner with Buckeye in this accomplishment and look forward to continued support of their objective of quality excellence.”

About PRI Registrar

Since 1995, Performance Review Institute Registrar, an independent certification body, has certified a multitude of organizations to international quality, environment, health & safety and information security standards. As an affiliate of SAE International, PRI Registrar is a not-for-profit organization, uniquely motivated with a mission and commitment to improve performance in any industry it serves.

Buckeye provides quality, environmentally conscious products that are safer for workers without sacrificing product performance. Contact a representative today to learn more about Buckeye’s comprehensive line of maintenance products.

As the COVID-19 global pandemic continues to evolve, it’s important to take steps to protect yourself and those around you. Buckeye takes COVID-19 seriously and continues to take a proactive approach in our effort to prevent the spread of germs. Buckeye programs strive to educate the public on the importance of best cleaning, disinfecting, and hand hygiene practices.

CDC Recommendations

Because there is no vaccine to prevent COVID-19, the CDC has presented several guidelines to help slow the spread. The CDC recommends:

Cleaning Your Hands OftenAvoid Close ContactCovering Your Mouth and Nose with a Cloth in PublicCovering Coughs and SneezesCleaning and Disinfecting

Cleaning and Disinfecting

According to the CDC, everyone should clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. As always, if surfaces are dirty, clean them. Then disinfect with an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered disinfectant.

Several Buckeye products have been pre-approved by the EPA for use against emerging enveloped viral pathogens and can be used during the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak. This list includes:

Buckeye Sanicare Mint Quat^®  Buckeye Eco Neutral Disinfectant E23  Buckeye Eco One-Step Disinfectant-Deodorizer-Cleaner E22  Buckeye Sanicare Lemon Quat^®  Buckeye Sanicare Pine Quat^®  Buckeye Sanicare Quat 128^®  Buckeye Sanicare Quat 256^®  Buckeye Sani-Q2™  Buckeye Terminator^®    

24/7 Antimicrobial Product Protection 

A recent study confirmed that bacteria and fungi can live on soles of shoes for up to five days, making it important to remember to disinfect floors and shoes. In Intensive Care Units (ICUs) and a COVID-19 General Ward (GW) at Huoshenshan Hospital in Wuhan China, another study showed SARS-CoV-2 positive tests for surfaces samples of floors, shoe soles of medical staff, computer mice, trash cans, sickbed handrails, and doorknobs.

Buckeye’s Clarion^® 25 Antimicrobial Floor Finish can proactively and continuously fight microbes on floors. With 24/7 protection, Microban^® technology disrupts the cells microorganisms making them unable to grow and reproduce. While not a substitute for normal cleaning practices, Microban protection continuously fights the growth of microbes, and makes floors easier to clean - keeping them cleaner, longer.

Hand HygieneCleaning your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is essential to slowing the spread of COVID-19. The CDC suggests using hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap is not readily available. The Symmetry^® Hand Hygiene Program offers hand soaps and hand sanitizers that will help keep your hands clean after blowing your nose, coughing, sneezing, or touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

To find the most up-to-date information about CVOID-19 and how you can help slow the spread, visit the CDC and WHO websites.

Last year the spread of the flu reached epidemic levels across the United States. With flu season upon us, it’s important to remember the best ways to keep the flu at bay. The most effective way to prevent the flu is to get the flu vaccine. The CDC is recommending individuals get vaccinated by the end of October.

There are other important ways to prevent the spread of the flu. Because the flu is spread through contact, the CDC also recommends washing hands often. The CDC provides tips for when and how to wash your hands to help protect the health of those around you here.

In your facility, implementing a complete hand hygiene program can help reduce the spread of germs. The Symmetry^® Hand Hygiene Program has all the tools needed to tackle the flu in any facility. First and foremost, Symmetry products reduce common disease-causing bacteria. All Symmetry products clean your hands without drying them out or leaving behind a sticky residue.

Additionally, encouraging people in your facility to practice proper hand hygiene is one of the most important steps in reducing the spread of the flu and other germs. Symmetry has education and awareness tools like posters, wall charts, and handwashing videos designed to demonstrate and explain the importance of proper hand hygiene.

The Symmetry Hand Hygiene Program also implements behavioral science with the Symmetry Behavior Modification System (SBMS). These tools help drive immediate hand hygiene practices, encouraging people to wash or sanitize their hands with eye-catching placards and signs. Both SBMS and education and awareness tools offered by Symmetry can be customized for any facility. Use your facility logo, colors, or catchphrase to help inspire proper hand hygiene.

The flu can spread fast, but Symmetry hand hygiene products and tools can help keep the well-being of the people in your facility in mind. Contact your local Buckeye representative to find out more about Symmetry and fighting the flu.

On May 5th, the World Health Organization (WHO) is celebrating World Hand Hygiene Day. This year, their goal is to prevent sepsis in healthcare. Sepsis is a life-threatening organ disfunction that can be a result of infection. According to WHO, “Sepsis is estimated to affect more than 30 million patients every year worldwide.” The CDC reports that one in three patients who die in a hospital have sepsis.

WHO’s calls to action for May 5th, 2018 include:

Sepsis is not the only complication that can result from infection. The best way to counteract these complications is to stop the spread of infection. On their website, WHO has a variety of resources and tools for anyone looking to understand or promote hand hygiene awareness.

The best way to prevent the spread of healthcare associated infections, HAIs, is to improve hand hygiene practices. In healthcare facilities, healthy hand hygiene practices can sometimes be neglected or avoided if hand sanitizers dry out the skin or staff members are not constantly reminded.

The best way to ensure both patients and staff are washing and sanitizing their hands regularly is with a complete hand hygiene program. The Symmetry® Hand Hygiene Program has a variety of hand washes and sanitizers that reduce common disease-causing bacteria. Symmetry dispensers have large sight windows to check product levels, and Symmetry hand hygiene products are packaged in no-drip bags.

Symmetry also has important added benefits. Having access to hand hygiene products is often not enough to encourage the people in your facility to wash their hands. Symmetry has customizable education and awareness tools, designed to maximize hand hygiene practices in your facility. These include wall charts, posters, product literature, and hand washing videos. The Symmetry program incorporates behavioral science into placards and signs to inspire people to wash or sanitize their hands.

Careful attention to hand hygiene in healthcare facilities can improve hand hygiene compliance. Contact your local Symmetry representative to find out more about how Symmetry can improve hand hygiene compliance in your facility.

In December 2017, the FDA issued a final rule in regards to triclosan and 23 other active ingredients in healthcare antiseptic products. They have given companies a year to remove antiseptics containing triclosan from their facilities.

Triclosan was originally added to products like healthcare antiseptics to reduce bacterial contamination. Currently, the FDA has no evidence that products containing triclosan are any more effective than products without it. Because of this, triclosan adds more risk than benefit to consumers.

Though studies are ongoing, some research has shown that triclosan has been associated with health risks and may contribute to antibiotic resistance. According to the FDA, companies have not been able to provide sufficient data regarding the safety and effectiveness of triclosan.

For healthcare facilities, this means taking a second look at your hand hygiene program and products. The Symmetry® Hand Hygiene Program is an FDA-compliant hand hygiene program. Symmetry hand washes and sanitizers are effective and triclosan-free. They are also gentle on the hands of healthcare workers who sanitize multiple times a day. Symmetry provides a variety of product options, including Green Seal™ certified products and fragrance-free products. The complete Symmetry Hand Hygiene Program can be customized to fit the needs of your facility.

For more information on how to improve your hand hygiene program or about the FDA’s triclosan ban, contact your local Buckeye representative.

Buckeye’s goal is to manufacture products that are safer for the worker and environment with a commitment to uncompromised product performance. Buckeye’s Green Seal™ certified products not only outperform other green products, they also outperform non-green, conventional chemistries.

So what exactly does Green Seal certified mean? “Green Seal is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to safeguarding the environment and transforming the marketplace by promoting the manufacture, purchase, and use of environmentally responsible products and services.” For a product to be Green Seal certified means that is meets rigorous health, performance and environmental criteria and Buckeye has over 20 products that are Green Seal certified. Buckeye Green Seal certified products are dilutable (where applicable), butyl-free, and contain no APEO’s or EDTA, and may be used in multiple applications while maintaining maximum product performance.

Having Green Seal certified products is part of Buckeye’s sustainability commitment, which is to provide the most innovative, high performance products, packaging, and programs that promote human health and safety. Buckeye also proactively eliminated products that contained potentially hazardous ingredients including butyl, ammonia, solvents, and alcohol bases. To learn more about Green Seal go to https://www.greenseal.org.