Health Care & Safety

'If Anything, We're Worse Off': What's Going On With America's PPE Supply Chain? (and How the Market Has Changed in Promo)
August 19, 2020 at 9:59 am

After shortages early in the coronavirus pandemic, America’s PPE supply seems to have caught up. But why do so many hospitals and frontline health workers say they still don’t have enough? In this story, we look at the disconnect between supply and demand, plus revisit PPE in the promotional products industry to see how the market has changed and where it might go...

These Are the Most Effective Face Mask Types (According to New Study)
August 13, 2020 at 10:57 am

There has been little debate among public health professionals that widespread mask use is crucial to slowing the spread of the coronavirus. Where there has been some debate, though, is over the most effective face mask types outside of the approved medical-grade varieties. Which of the many available face coverings protects most against transmission of the virus? We finally have some data...

FDA Dangerous Hand Sanitizer List Tops 135, Adds Another U.S. Manufacturer
August 12, 2020 at 1:01 pm

The FDA’s constantly-updating list of potentially harmful hand sanitizers has now risen to more than 135 products. Another U.S.-based manufacturer has now joined the list, too, with Dallas’s Santa Cruz Biotechnology initiating a voluntary recall. Georgia-based SG24 LLC also had to recall its SkinGuard24 All-Day Hand Sanitizer after it was labeled to contain methanol...

Los Angeles Apparel Responds to LA Subpoena Over Workplace Practices
August 12, 2020 at 11:30 am

Los Angeles Apparel has responded to a subpoena from the city of Los Angeles looking to enforce compliance rules now that Los Angeles Apparel has reopened. The apparel company, founded by American Apparel founder and former CEO Dov Charney, was in the media spotlight after more than 300 workers in the company's manufacturing facilities tested…

Bella+Canvas, Serena Williams Team Up With National School Boards Association and Scholastic to Bring Millions of Masks and COVID Safety Education to Children
August 11, 2020 at 12:20 pm

Bella+Canvas and Serena Williams have pledged to donate a minimum of 4.25 million masks—the number of students living below the poverty line—working with the National School Boards Association to distribute them to schools most in need. Bella+Canvas will provide free and discounted access to breathable, comfortable face masks—distributing masks to 115,000 schools nationwide...

Single-Use Face Masks Could Be the Next Major Ocean Pollutant
August 10, 2020 at 11:36 am

Environmental experts worry that improperly disposed single-use face masks could make the issue of ocean pollution worse. More face masks are popping up in waterways across the world as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread and people take precautions to protect themselves and others...

Some Distilleries That Pivoted to Hand Sanitizer Are Now Struggling to Sell It
August 6, 2020 at 2:18 pm

For months after the start of the pandemic, hand sanitizer was in short supply. In response, many alcoholic beverage distilleries stepped up to make it. And they made a lot of it. They made so much that, with the hand sanitizer supply starting to catch up and prices per gallon dropping, they now have more than they know what to do with...

FDA List of Dangerous Hand Sanitizers Reaches 114, Includes Ohio Manufacturer
August 5, 2020 at 2:11 pm

The FDA list of potentially dangerous hand sanitizers containing or manufactured in facilities containing methanol has reached 114 products. The latest round of additions includes products from several suppliers based in Mexico, as well as Ohio-based Spartan Chemical Co. Inc....

People & Brands Need USA Made Sanitizer They Can Count On
July 27, 2020 at 11:34 am

“Normal life” (whatever that may mean to you) as we know it has changed, forever, or at least the foreseeable future. Think back to only a few months ago when you could gather with friends and family for memorable parties, tailgate and cheer on your favorite college football team, or simply...