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Perspectives and Attitudes of Newer New Jersey High School Teachers towards Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting Consumer Products Used in School Classrooms

Author

Listed:
  • Juhi Aggarwal

    (NJ Safe Schools Program, Rutgers School of Public Health (SPH), Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA)

  • Maryanne L. Campbell

    (NJ Safe Schools Program, Rutgers School of Public Health (SPH), Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA)

  • Midhat Rehman

    (NJ Safe Schools Program, Rutgers School of Public Health (SPH), Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA)

  • Kimberly T. Nguyen

    (NJ Safe Schools Program, Rutgers School of Public Health (SPH), Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA)

  • Derek G. Shendell

    (NJ Safe Schools Program, Rutgers School of Public Health (SPH), Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
    Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Justice, Rutgers School of Public Health (SPH), Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
    Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA)

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an increased reported use of chemical cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting products (CSDPs), which created public concerns about negative health consequences for both children and adults in public schools. A subset of newer teachers shared experiences regarding safety and health (S&H) while working in school-based settings through a series of online surveys. Surveys were provided to teachers who completed work-based learning supervisory trainings provided by the New Jersey Safe Schools Program between October 2021 and June 2023. The participants answered questions focusing on CSDPs purchased for school use, their attitudes towards CSDPs, their use of personal protective equipment, and symptoms employees may have had due to CSDPs. A total of 205 teacher participants successfully completed the surveys. Over 25% of the teachers did not know where their CSDPs originated from, as they were provided by the school. Most participants “sometimes”, “not often”, or “never” read labels for CSDP ingredients or looked them up on healthy product apps. The participants (60%) tended to wear gloves while cleaning/disinfecting but did not wear masks. A third of the participants experienced respiratory health problems after working at school. Overall, the data suggest that more education on S&H regarding CSDPs needs to be provided to New Jersey teachers.

Suggested Citation

  • Juhi Aggarwal & Maryanne L. Campbell & Midhat Rehman & Kimberly T. Nguyen & Derek G. Shendell, 2024. "Perspectives and Attitudes of Newer New Jersey High School Teachers towards Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting Consumer Products Used in School Classrooms," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(2), pages 1-15, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:2:p:211-:d:1337220
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Juhi Aggarwal & Maureen W. Gichura & Maryanne L. F. Campbell & Kimberly T. Nguyen & Derek G. Shendell, 2022. "COVID-19 School vs. Community-Based Outbreak Trends among New Jersey K–12 Schools during the 2020–2021 School Year," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-10, July.
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