FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 19, 2007

CONTACTS:
Greta Houlahan
NSF International
Phone: (734) 913-5723
Email: houlahan@nsf.org

Scrub Club's Soaper-Heroes Prepare for Flu Season
Website Teaches Children Proper Handwashing Technique


ANN ARBOR , MI - With the cold and flu season quickly upon us, handwashing is more important than ever. A fun, interactive website (www.scrubclub.org) teaches kids how to properly wash their hands in a fun, easy way.

This is important as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications and about 36,000 people die from the flu each year.

According to William Fisher, NSF Vice President, "NSF International developed the Scrub Club to get children excited about handwashing. After all, proper handwashing, he said, is one of the easiest things that we can all do to keep from getting sick and spreading illness."

In an interactive game that features the evil villain "Influenza Enzo," the Scrub Club heroes teach children how the flu is spread and how to prevent it.

Each of the Scrub Club heroes represents one of the six steps in the handwashing process - "Hot Shot" and "Chill" combine to make the warm water essential for proper handwashing; "Squeaks" turns into various forms of soap; "Taki" becomes a clock that counts down the required 20 seconds for proper handwashing; "Scruff" reminds kids to clean around their nails; "Tank" turns into a sink to rinse away the germs and "P.T." transforms into paper towels. Together these "soaper-heroes" help fight off harmful germs and bacteria, including influenza and MRSA, by teaching children the proper way to wash up.

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a "staph" infection that is affecting many school districts nationwide. The harmful bacteria are transmitted mainly through human hands - once again reinforcing the importance of handwashing. Important information on MRSA and influenza, as well as education materials, a teacher's guide, a 6-step handwashing poster and numerous other activities, can be downloaded from the website.

For more information about the Scrub Club please contact William Fisher at 734.827.6824 or fisher@nsf.org or check out the www.scrubclub.org for yourself.

About NSF International: NSF International, an independent, not-for-profit organization, helps protect you by certifying products and writing standards for food, water and consumer goods (www.nsf.org). Founded in 1944, NSF is committed to protecting public health and safety worldwide. NSF is a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Food and Water Safety and Indoor Environment. Additional services include safety audits for the food and water industries, management systems registrations delivered through NSF International Strategic Registrations, organic certification provided by Quality Assurance International and education through the NSF Center for Public Health Education.