• Hand washing is basic to food safety, personal health and disease prevention.

• Most people--including children and adults do not wash their hands as often or as well as needed.

How Germ City Works

• Germ City in schools: Germ City is a science-based, interactive education program for elementary and middle school students. A presentation includes a hands-on opportunity to learn about the importance of frequent and effective hand washing. Supporting educational resource materials and assessments are available to supplement the learning experience.
• Germ City for community events, fairs and festivals: The traveling, interactive exhibit is an educational attraction for school fairs, county fairs, health fairs as well as employee trainings. Participants of all ages learn good hygiene habits.
• "The Germ City Unit" is a lightproof, tunnel or tent, equipped with two black lights.  A UV light sensitive-lotion is applied to hands as "pretend germs."  Participants go through the tunnel to observe the amount of germs on their hands, wash their hands normally and revisit Germ City to assess how well they washed their hands.

About Germ City

What People Have To Say

Resources and Links

• American Society of Microbiology
• Center For Disease Control
• Clean Hands Coalition
• Handwashing for Life
• Hawaii Consumer Food Safety
• USDA Foodborne Illness Education Information Center
• NSF Scrub Club