Kimberly-Clark Professional Introduces Automatic Door Handle Disinfector To Protect Against Germs Left Behind by Others

ROSWELL, Ga., Aug. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Good hand hygiene habits are one of the most important ways to prevent illness. But even if you wash up after using the restroom you could be exposed to germs left behind by those who don't – simply by touching the door handle.

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A new Kimberly-Clark Professional product takes aim at those left-behind germs by automatically disinfecting restroom door handles – offering consistent protection for people at a critical point of cross-contamination. The Kimberly-Clark Professional Automatic Door Handle Disinfector is the latest addition to The Healthy Workplace Project, a Kimberly-Clark Professional initiative designed to stop the spread of germs through an innovative approach to hand and surface hygiene. This new offering supports The Healthy Workplace Project "wash, wipe and sanitize" protocol by helping to maintain hand cleanliness after people wash their hands and leave the restroom.

"The number of people who don't wash their hands when leaving the restroom is staggering," said John Adams, Kimberly-Clark Professional Global Platform Leader, The Healthy Workplace Project.  "This product helps deliver on our platform's promise of improving overall workplace health by disinfecting frequently contaminated and highly touched restroom door handles."

The Kimberly-Clark Professional Automatic Door Handle Disinfector safely and effectively kills 99.9 percent of germs and viruses on the entire door handle, including the underside. It does so by using a quick-drying EPA-registered, hospital-grade alcohol-based disinfectant mist. The product was created by HYSO, a privately held company that develops solutions to address public health and hygiene issues. It is being distributed globally under an exclusive agreement with Kimberly-Clark Professional.

"Programs like The Healthy Workplace Project provide the perfect platform to launch our unique system," said Simon Sassoon, Managing Member of HYSO, LLC. "This product solves the very real problem of poor door handle hygiene and its associated risks. Our exclusive partnership with Kimberly-Clark Professional will allow us to tackle this challenge head-on on a global scale."      

In addition to its ability to kill germs and viruses on contact, the Kimberly-Clark Professional Automatic Door Handle Disinfector is also:

• Compatible with existing door hardware – It can be used on virtually any door.
• Easy to install and maintain – It mounts in minutes with no special tools. Refill canisters can be replaced in seconds and are fully recyclable.
• Programmable – It can be adjusted to meet the traffic needs or hours of any facility.
• Cost-effective – Refill canisters last up to 100 days and ambient light sensors help extend battery and canister life.

Other features include:

• Sensors to prevent the device from accidentally spraying someone's hands
• Precision-engineered technology to ensure a precise dose with every spray
• An LCD display that makes it easy to see when batteries need replacing   

Available in white, black and finished chrome, the Kimberly-Clark Professional Automatic Door Handle Disinfector will fit the look of any restroom. It also coordinates with the sleek aesthetics of the new Kimberly-Clark Professional MOD Dispensing System. This product will be available to U.S. customers in September.

Images are available.

About The Healthy Workplace Project 
The Healthy Workplace Project is a multi-faceted program designed by Kimberly-Clark Professional to help companies provide their employees with a healthier and more productive office environment. It offers a unique approach to hand and surface hygiene that helps employees understand how germs are transmitted to help stop their spread throughout the workplace.  The program provides educational materials in conjunction with hand and surface hygiene products to employees, arming them with the tools and knowledge necessary to break the cycle of germ transmission in the office. By reinforcing the importance of "washing, wiping and sanitizing" through The Healthy Workplace Project, employers can help reduce that impact.

For more information on Kimberly-Clark Professional and The Healthy Workplace Project visit www.healthyworkplaceproject.com.

About Kimberly-Clark Professional
Kimberly-Clark Professional partners with businesses to create Exceptional Workplaces. Kimberly-Clark Professional helps transform workplaces making them safer, healthier, and more productive. Key brands in this segment include: Kleenex, Scott, WypAll, Kimtech, and Jackson Safety. Kimberly-Clark Professional, located in Roswell, Ga., is one of Kimberly-Clark Corporation's four business segments and can be visited on the web at www.kcprofessional.com.

SOURCE Kimberly-Clark Professional