"Household disinfectants provide important protection under normal circumstances, but their usefulness would be limited in an anthrax exposure," according to Christopher Cathcart, CSPA's president and chief operating officer. "If anyone feels they have been exposed to anthrax, they should immediately move away from suspicious material, notify health and law enforcement authorities and take common sense hygiene measures, such as washing hands and changing clothes," he added.

The recent anthrax attacks have resulted in a rash of inquiries about the effectiveness of over-the-counter disinfecting products. Because of the risk of infection from highly refined anthrax spores and the difficulty of complete decontamination, disinfection in suspected exposures should always be the responsibility of public health professionals.

CSPA emphasized that while household disinfectants have a role in combating common health threats, they should not be viewed as preventative for high-risk exposures such as those resulting from terrorist activity. Despite their limitations in dealing with specific biological agents likely to be used by terrorists, household and institutional disinfectants play an important role in decreasing the spread of common infectious agents.

The US Environmental Protection Agency recently announced that it will prioritize the review and registration of products that can be used against anthrax. The Consumer Specialty Products industry is constantly developing new products to provide additional protection in homes and institutions.

Additional information about the risks from anthrax and other biological agents can be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, http://www.cdc.gov/ or 800-311-3435.

SOURCE: Consumer Specialty Products Association

WEB SITE: http://www.cdc.gov/

CO: Consumer Specialty Products Association; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; EPA; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention