How Cleaning Products Demonstrate Germ Killing Claims: A Closer Look

When considering products like Lysol or Purell, companies often tout that their products can kill 99.99% of germs and bacteria. But how do they prove this?

Challenges in Testing Germ Killing Claims

Firstly, it's important to recognize that the term 'germ' is not a scientific term with a clear definition. This makes it difficult to test claims about killing germs thoroughly. Additionally, the target isn't as extensive as it may seem. Cleaner manufacturers often use assertive numbers like '99.9', which is a purposely vague number to avoid potential lawsuits. While it is true that most effective sanitizers and disinfectants can kill almost all known pathogens, including viruses like the Coronavirus, there are some important considerations.

Relevant Federal Regulations

The U.S. manufacturers of disinfectants are legally required by federal law to be truthful and accurate with their claims on product labels. They must also use standard testing methods. However, these claims are usually more specific than the general '99.9%' figure implied by the original question. For example, a product like Chlorox claims it kills 99.9% of bacteria and viruses found in the home. This specificity significantly narrows the scope of what the product aims to address.

Regulatory Oversight and Truth in Advertising

It's crucial to note that there are no laws mandating truth in advertising for products that are not ingested, such as cleaning products. Companies can advertise almost anything they wish if it’s not something intended to be consumed. Furthermore, many products that are consumed aren’t always accurately represented. There's relatively little oversight for alternative remedies or non-food products, which means that claims made by these companies may not always be entirely truthful.

Understanding Claims Like "kills 99.9%"

When a company like Lysol claims their product kills 99.9% of germs and bacteria, it doesn't necessarily mean that they have tested their product against every known bacteria in the world. This would be an impractical and unrealistic task. The claim is usually based on a set of standard tests against a specific set of pathogens, not a comprehensive list of all bacteria and viruses.

Conclusion

In essence, the claims made by cleaning product manufacturers are based on scientific testing and are far more specific than the general statement 'kills 99.9% of germs'. While there is no requirement for every product to be tested against every possible pathogen, the standards for testing and the claims made must be accurate and truthful within the parameters tested. This highlights the importance of understanding the scope of these claims and the regulatory landscape that governs them.