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Bleach Fact Sheet for Schools

How and when to use Bleach as a disinfectant EFFECTIVELY!

  

     MILD BLEACH MIXTURE

  • 1 tsp bleach to 1 quart water (more is NOT better, so measure bleach carefully)
  • Areas mandating use:  Nurses office, cafeteria cooking area, lunch room tables

              (at end of school day – not between lunch periods; areas of vomit)

  • Used after surface has been cleaned (soap/water is sufficient)
  • Allow bleach to air-dry for a minimum of 7-10 minutes before wiping with soap/water
  • Children should not using any cleaning chemicals in school. 

              Do not allow them to be mixing any bleach/water   solution, or clean with this chemical/pesticide.  

  • Application of bleach should be done without children present to avoid any allergy triggered asthmatic attacks.
  • Application is best if done rag to bucket, not in spray bottles.

 

   

    BLEACH MIXTURE – FOR BLOOD BORNE PATHOGENS

 
  • 1 tbsp bleach to 1 quart water (do not exceed 1 tbsp ...  MEASURE!)
  • Areas mandating use:  When visible blood is present (as needed; is a regulation for Nurse's office)
  • All agencies allow this bleach mixture for surface cleaning to account for HIV, Hepatitis B or C, and Tuberculosis)
  • Treating surfaces with a disinfectant for TB or the Flu are ineffective.
  • NOTE BODILY FLUID USE:  Constitutes use of those fluids that were not meant to leave the body

              (vomit; blood; sperm; spinal fluid, etc). 

        It is not meant to include small amounts of mucus, snot; or spit droplets.              

       *This is where the promoting of hand washing comes into play!

 

     ADDED NOTES:
  • ALL BLEACH MIXTURES should be disposed of at the day’s end, and not stored in bottles for the next day. 
  • If a school houses a pre-school with a diaper changing table, this area must be cleaned according to the Mild Bleach

               definition after each changing (must wait 7-10 minutes between diaper changes to allow bleach to evaporate)

  • If bleach is mixed and put into a separate bottle, it should be properly labeled.
  • No bleach buckets or containers should go unattended
      FACTS:
  • Bleach is NOT a cleaner, it is a disinfectant (pesticide). 
  • Surface must be cleaned prior to disinfecting if bleach is to work effectively.
  • Schools do not require the use of hospital/industrial grade disinfectants within the classroom

               as they offer no additional benefit or advantage over normal cleaning products

               (Some hospital grade types of disinfectant choices may increase health risks to children).

  • No regulation, legally or by OSHA, the Health Department or EPA to use industrial/hospital strength disinfectants or  

                cleaners within a school (outside the Nurse’s Office/with cooking area of Kitchen and AFTER all students have

                left the lunchroom for the day of meals).

  • NO CHILD should be using a disinfectant or having one used in his/her presence while in the school.
  • There are NO benefits, and only adverse affects from mixing bleach at a stronger concentration with water.
  • DISEASE PREVENTION FACTTuberculosis is spread through airborne droplets that are inhaled deeply into the lungs. If there was a contaminated surface it would essentially present no danger of transmission.    HIV, Hepatitis B & C are only disinfected for when there is visible blood and an apparent danger of infection (see above remedy)

 

 

There are EPA approved NATURAL Disinfectants             TO NoNoLIST                                       

         

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