Foaming forward to the future
February 1st 2004

Georgia Pacific GB has commissioned research to investigate the effect of different soap substances on user behaviour, as part of the launch of its new foam soap, after recognising that hand hygiene remains the single most important measure to prevent cross infection

The research is currently taking place in the School of Psychology at the University of Birmingham, headed up by Professor of Human Movement, Alan Wing. The research is an initial investigation into how the brain uses sensory input after washing the hands to maintain accurate touch perception and control of movement. The effect of a pleasant soap substance may encourage end users to more regularly use soap by turning it into a pleasurable experience, and one that becomes automatic to washroom visitors. This in turn may increase the use of soap in hand washing, which has been proven to reduce cross infection.

As part of the launch of its Lotus Professional Foam Soap, Georgia Pacific GB is using this research to test the effect of the foam soap on end users. Foam soap is a natural evolution of the soap product and increases the quality of wash as it provides fast and effective hand coverage without the need to invigorate into a lather and doesnt leave the hands sticky.

Professor Wing comments on the study: We are expecting some exciting results from this project which will give a clear indication of users attitudes to foam soap. The quality and innovation of the foam soap may affect users sensory perception and behaviour and we are using a variety of psychometric tests to assess this.

Lotus Professional Foam Soap helps to improve hygiene by enabling users to release the soap using an elbow operation on the push lever, and with every cartridge coming complete with a new pump and nozzle the end user contact with dirty, contaminated nozzles is eliminated. This also improves the reliability and performance of the soap dispensers as pumps and nozzles dont get clogged or leak.

According to Georgia Pacific Trade, marketing manager Karen Halifax: We felt that it was important to demonstrate the importance of using soap during hand washing and investigate what can be done to help encourage its use. This foam soap will answer many market requirements with regards to reliability and hygiene and will help to create a higher standard of washroom environment.

In conjunction with the launch of Lotus Professional Foam Soap, Georgia Pacific GB has also commissioned a report on the impact of smell on peoples emotions, reactions and behaviour. As part of the launch of another product, Lotus Professional Air Freshener, Professor Tim Jacob from the University of Cardiff has concluded that: Positive odours can have a remarkable effect on emotions. A study in 1990 found that people experiencing a pleasant ambient odour rated themselves as more pleasant and positive than a no-odour control group.

With only 6% of companies in the UK and Europe using automatic air freshening systems in washrooms there is still a long way to go to make the working environment more positive for employees and customers. The four fragrances, designed for the Lotus Professional Air Freshener are designed to have a positive impact on the senses and perceptions of washroom users.

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