The hottest Hygiene Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top History Topics

Why Lab Coats are White

Asimov Press • 386 implied HN points • 18 Mar 26
🔬 Science Hygiene
  1. The white lab coat began in 19th-century surgery as a practical, washable garment tied to new hygiene practices, replacing the dark, blood-stained frock coats.
  2. Over time the white coat turned into a powerful public symbol of science and medicine, signaling professionalism, cleanliness, and group identity.
  3. The coat’s symbolic power often outpaces its actual safety, so researchers are inventing better, functional materials and designs—but widespread change requires cultural as well as technological shifts.

224 | Seek and Destroy: Real-world lessons in Listeria eradication |

The Rotten Apple • 52 implied HN points • 02 Feb 26
🍲 Food & Drink Hygiene
  1. Listeria can hide deep inside equipment parts like conveyor belt fibres and hollow rollers where surface swabs and routine cleaning miss them.
  2. Eradicating persistent Listeria often requires a multifaceted 'seek and destroy' approach — thorough disassembly, chemical and heat treatments, intensive sampling — and sometimes replacing the contaminated equipment to stop product contamination.
  3. Reports that food fraud is “surging” may overstate the trend because higher counts can reflect increased awareness and enforcement; nonetheless food fraud remains widespread with many ongoing incidents, so vigilance and tools like webinars and resources are still needed.

Old pandemics: Yellow Fever in Buenos Aires

BowTiedMara - Geoarbitrage & Mobility Assets • 137 implied HN points • 14 Feb 23
💾 History Hygiene
  1. The yellow fever pandemic in Buenos Aires in 1871 was devastating, with a high death toll of about 11-15% of the city's population.
  2. Hygiene standards in Buenos Aires in the 1870s were lacking, leading to ideal breeding grounds for disease-carrying mosquitoes.
  3. The Chacarita Cemetery in Buenos Aires, a result of the yellow fever pandemic, is a hidden gem with historical significance and famous burials.

The Surreal Solidarity of Women's Deodorant

Brands Mean a Lot • 220 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Hygiene
  1. Women's friendships are often face to face and thrive on intimacy and emotional connection.
  2. Surrealism in media can create fantastical worlds through incongruous narratives and ideas.
  3. The ad portrayed a strong sense of solidarity between women, showcasing vulnerability and trust in friendship.
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Totally Devoted to Blue Roll

Vittles • 141 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🍲 Food & Drink Hygiene
  1. Hospitality industry heavily relies on blue tissue paper for hygiene and cleaning purposes.
  2. Blue roll became popular in kitchens post-1990 due to food safety outbreaks and hygiene regulations.
  3. Blue roll's blue color is chosen for its association with cleanliness and hygiene, reflecting a shift towards disposable products for sanitation.

Bidets and butt wipes

The Rectangle • 141 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Hygiene
  1. Toilet paper isn't the best option for cleaning, bidets and wipes are better.
  2. The use of toilet paper is linked to consumerism and capitalism.
  3. Switching to bidets can bring hygiene benefits and help the environment, but cultural habits and aversions may be obstacles.

Plague in Suffolk, 1910

The Quack Doctor • 19 implied HN points • 08 Dec 23
💾 History Hygiene
  1. Plague, a feared disease in history, unexpectedly invaded Suffolk in 1910, spreading rapidly and causing tragic deaths.
  2. The outbreak highlighted the importance of sanitary measures, including eradicating rats to prevent the spread of the deadly disease.
  3. Efforts to contain the outbreak involved isolating patients, quarantining contacts, and implementing strict hygiene practices to protect the community.

A Philosophical History of Soap

Tessa Fights Robots • 27 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
💾 History Hygiene
  1. Soap has a long and diverse history, originating from ancient civilizations like Sumerians and Egyptians.
  2. The concept of hygiene and soap usage evolved over time, from ancient times to modern-day practices.
  3. The modern obsession with hygiene and soap may have unintended consequences, like antimicrobial resistance.

What's Wrong With This Picture (Team Training Exercise)

The Rotten Apple • 10 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
🍲 Food & Drink Hygiene
  1. The post discusses a team training exercise for front-line workers in food service to identify food safety issues.
  2. The activity aims to get team members thinking about food safety, engage in a risk assessment, and learn about food safety principles such as hygienic design and hand hygiene.
  3. The exercise involves showing an image of someone slicing bacon and asking team members to identify potential food safety problems, errors, or non-conformities.

Help! How can I stop the spread of a “stomach flu” caused by Norovirus?

News from Those Nerdy Girls • 0 implied HN points • 17 Feb 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Hygiene
  1. To stop the spread of Norovirus, use bleach, wash hands, avoid sharing, close the lid, and stay home if possible for two days.
  2. Norovirus is highly contagious and causes symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, fever, headaches, and fatigue.
  3. Key tips to prevent Norovirus spread: clean with bleach, wash hands thoroughly, avoid sharing items, close the toilet lid, and stay home to recover and prevent further spread.

Hit the Road

Are You Okay? • 0 implied HN points • 16 Jun 20
🏥 Health & Wellness Hygiene
  1. Know where you are going and consider the COVID-19 situation in that area to plan your road trip accordingly.
  2. Prepare by mapping out your travel route, filling up your gas tank before departure, and packing snacks for the journey.
  3. Be cautious during overnight stays in hotels, bring cleaning supplies, wash glassware before using, and opt for stairs over elevators when possible.

New Data Suggesting the Open Air Is Safe During a COVID-19 Outbreak

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 14 Apr 20
🏥 Health & Wellness Hygiene
  1. Study on the Diamond Princess Cruise Ship suggests that COVID-19 does not travel far in the air, supporting the safety of being outdoors with proper distancing and hygiene measures.
  2. The research showed that transmission mostly occurred in close quarters on the ship, emphasizing the importance of avoiding mass gatherings.
  3. Fresh air and sunlight have benefits; going outside is safe as long as social distancing is maintained, helping reduce stress and improve well-being.

The Coronavirus May Circulate in a Community For 4-6 Weeks Before Detection

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 08 Apr 20
🏥 Health & Wellness Hygiene
  1. The Coronavirus can spread in a community for 4-6 weeks before being detected, making it challenging to prevent further transmission.
  2. By the time the first case is identified, the virus has already spread significantly and may be harder to control.
  3. Research suggests COVID-19 cases double every few days prior to detection, highlighting the rapid spread and importance of proactive measures like hygiene and social distancing.