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Jim Arbogast, Ph.D.
Hygiene Sciences and Public Health Advancements Vice President, GOJO Industries
James W. Arbogast, Ph.D., joined GOJO in 2002 and currently serves as Vice President of Hygiene Sciences and Public Health Advancements. Prior to his appointment to his current role in 2014, Dr. Arbogast held a variety of technical leadership roles in Skin Care Science, Product Development and New Technology with the company. Before joining GOJO, he gained experience in the consumer products industry with Clorox and Dial.
Dr. Arbogast has been directly involved in the formulation and national launch of hundreds of products in the laundry, air freshening, hair care, skin care, and hand hygiene markets. Under his leadership, the Skin Care Science team has conducted numerous field outcome studies with hand hygiene products to determine their real-world effect on skin condition and infection related rates. Additionally, there have been many contributions to advancing the science of hand hygiene around microbiology, clinical studies, analytical chemistry, drug stability and new product development.
Dr. Arbogast has made presentations at major scientific conferences and has authored multiple articles and patents. Dr. Arbogast, who earned a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of California at Los Angeles, has more than 25 years of experience in consumer product development with more than the last 20 years focused on skin care. He resides in Bath, Ohio, with his wife and three children. For information on his research, visit his ORCiD.
Debunking 7 Common Myths About Hand Sanitizer
7/14/2020
By Jim Arbogast, Ph.D.
Hygiene Sciences and Public Health Advancements Vice President, GOJO Industries
Alcohol-based hand sanitizers play a role in reducing germs on your hands that may cause illness. In fact, practicing good hand hygiene – handwashing with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when hands are not visibly soiled – is one of the most effective ways to kill germs that may cause disease.
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3 Reasons Why Ethyl Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizers are More Effective
5/13/2020
By Jim Arbogast, Ph.D.
Hygiene Sciences and Public Health Advancements Vice President, GOJO Industries
Nearly all PURELL® hand sanitizing products are ethyl alcohol-based for one very simple reason: alcohol is the most proven effective germ-killing agent for use on skin. So it’s no wonder that when the website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urges frequent handwashing, the internationally-respected health organization adds that, “If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.”1,2
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Healthy Hand Habits for Everyday Life at Home
4/14/2020
By Jim Arbogast, Ph.D.
Hygiene Sciences and Public Health Advancements Vice President, GOJO Industries
While we continue to spend more time at home during this unprecedented pandemic, it’s now more important than ever to pay attention to the key moments throughout your day that you and your loved ones should be washing or sanitizing your hands. Keeping your hands clean is one of the best ways to kill germs that may cause illness.
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Update on the 2019 Novel Coronavirus, Wuhan, China
1/24/2020
By Jim Arbogast, Ph.D.
Hygiene Sciences and Public Health Advancements Vice President, GOJO Industries
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is reporting that they are closely monitoring an outbreak caused by a novel (new) coronavirus first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Chinese authorities identified the new coronavirus, which has resulted in hundreds of confirmed cases in China, including cases outside Wuhan, with additional cases being identified in a growing number of countries internationally. The first case in the United States was announced on January 21, 2020.
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Let’s Celebrate with Clean Hands!
10/15/2019
By Jim Arbogast, Ph.D.
Hygiene Sciences and Public Health Advancements Vice President, GOJO Industries
Global Handwashing Day is celebrated on October 15, an annual reminder of the importance of handwashing and hand sanitizing. At GOJO, we know one of the most important measures to prevent illness and infection is through effective hand hygiene. In honor of Global Handwashing Day, we’ve partnered with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Foundation and Staples to collaboratively improve the health of our communities, through improved hand hygiene education.
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Know the Facts About Antibiotics
11/12/2018
By Jim Arbogast, Ph.D.
Hygiene Sciences and Public Health Advancements Vice President, GOJO Industries
In observance of Antibiotic Awareness Week taking place from November 12-18, 2018, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) will raise awareness and understanding to the threat of antibiotic resistance and the importance of appropriate antibiotic use among the public, health workers, and policy makers.
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Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizers Do Not Create Superbugs
8/3/2018
By Jim Arbogast, Ph.D.
Hygiene Sciences and Public Health Advancements Vice President, GOJO Industries
A recent study in Science Translational Medicine is causing concern amongst public health thought leaders because it is misleading, applying results inappropriately to (ethyl) alcohol-based hand sanitizers. The study tested efficacy of isopropanol (isopropyl) alcohol in a 23% concentration, whereby hand sanitizers typically use ethyl alcohol in a 70% concentration.
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