Lysol Challenges Elementary Students to Expose Germs in the Classroom, Revealing the True Number of "Students" in US Schools

With millions of school days missed each year due to common, preventable illnesses such as the cold and flu¹ , Lysol®, an RB brand, partnered with Madison Square Boys and Girls Club of America in New York City to teach students about the millions of surprise "students" - germs! - lingering in the classroom. Through a series of science experiments, fourth-grade students measured germs on commonly touched surfaces, such as desks, light switches and doorknobs, and proposed simple yet effective steps and solutions everyone can take to help prevent the spread of these "germ-mates" from classmate to classmate. By practicing healthy habits, students can help reduce the number of sick days caused by cold & flu, ensuring they are in the classroom to learn.

"Lysol is committed to working with student's families and teachers to provide resources and products that help create a healthier living and learning environment," said Rory Tait, Marketing Director, Lysol. "By instilling healthy habits in students at a young age and supplying parents and teachers with proper disinfection products, like Lysol Disinfecting Wipes and Lysol Disinfectant Spray, which kill 99.9% of germs on commonly touched surfaces, we can help prevent the spread of germs and hopefully help reduce absenteeism in our schools caused by sicknesses like cold & flu."

Participating students embarked on a special Crash Course on Germs, led by microbiologist Joe Rubino, Research & Development Director, Hygiene Personal Care & Surface at RB. Using the Scientific Method, students examined the number and types of germs living in their classroom and discovered that the Influenza virus can live on hard surfaces for up to 48 hours². Students then learned how simple healthy habits, like regular handwashing, proper cough and sneeze etiquette and regular surface disinfection by an adult, can help prevent the spread of these illness-causing germs in the classroom. Students will reveal their germ findings and healthy solutions at a special Science Fair Event in New York City. Judges, including actress and Lysol spokesperson, Ali Larter, microbiologist Joe Rubino and National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners representative Dr. Mary Beth Koslap-Petraco will review and award the projects.

"As a mom of two, it is so important to me that I am doing everything to keep my kids healthy and in school learning," said Ali Larter. "We make sure our children are prepared with notebooks and pencils going into the back to school season, but it is equally important to teach them the importance of healthy habits, like regular handwashing, to help them stay healthy year round."

The National Parent Teacher Association, National Education Association and Lysol have worked together to create the Healthy Habits Program, recognizing the significance of educating students about health and hygiene, both in the classroom and at home. Now in its third year, the Healthy Habits coalition works to equip teachers and parents with resources to help support student health and well-being through fun activities and simple lessons. The foundation of the Healthy Habits Program is Healthy Habits Week, a nationwide educational effort that takes place every year during the third week of September to teach healthy habits to kids. This back to school season, Lysol is partnering with Box Tops for Education as the exclusive household cleaning brand. By suppling the classroom with disinfecting products like Lysol Disinfecting Wipes and Lysol Disinfectant Spray, now eligible for Box Tops redemption, families can support schools one clean surface at a time to promote healthy habits across the U.S. and provide classroom disinfecting products, like Lysol Disinfecting Wipes and Lysol Disinfectant Spray, eligible for Box Tops redemption.

For more information visit Lysol.com/HealthyHabits

1 CDC. "Vital Health and Statistics. Current Estimates from the National Health Interview Survey, 1996."; Published October 1999
2 US National Library of Medicine. "Survival of influenza viruses on environmental surfaces"; Published July 1982