Single-Use Wipes Are Making Germs Stronger, with John Shanahan of Ionogen

 

Did you know that the leading blue glass cleaner can kill you? Were you aware that the single-use wipes that many of us have in our kitchens and bathrooms are also putting our health at risk? At least, that’s what our guest today claims after years of research and industry experience.

John Shanahan, President & CEO of Ionogen, was recently at a social function and was questioned by another guest who heard his latest podcast appearance and begged to differ that the products were harmful. After Shanahan read the ingredient list and then asked again if she would use the product around her four-year-old granddaughter, she had a very different take on the safety of the products.

Why aren’t more Americans reading labels and what does a more practical sanitation solution look like? Shanahan’s research has pointed to single-use wipes potentially causing cancer, and yet most people aren’t aware of this because there aren’t many options to choose from. There isn’t a lot of new chemistry from product to product. Looking at the legacy brands (with 100+ years of retailing), they all use quaternary ammonium as a major ingredient, which can be extremely harmful to humans.

The second problem is that these wipes are often misused. Wiping the toilet seat or bathroom counter is “like a snow plow in Chicago in January,” Shanahan said. “It just starts pushing the germs.”

On this podcast, Shanahan explains how Americans are misusing both consumer-grade and commercial-level single-use wipes, why this is especially problematic for hospitals, and what the alternatives are.

For the latest news, videos, and podcasts in the Building Management Industry, be sure to subscribe to our industry publication.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Twitter – @BuildingMKSL
Facebook – facebook.com/marketscale
LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/marketscale

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

rubber
How Precision Engineering and Regulatory Complexity Shape the Future of Rubber Manufacturing
April 9, 2026

In an era where precision manufacturing often hides behind the simplicity of everyday products, the world of rubber components offers a striking reminder that complexity frequently lives beneath the surface. What appears to be a modest gasket or sealing element is, in reality, the product of highly specialized engineering, rigorous testing, and an…

Read More
tekniplex
Inside TekniPlex Gaggiano: How Specialized Manufacturing and Precision Engineering Define a True Center of Excellence
April 9, 2026

Manufacturing excellence today is less about scale alone and more about precision, control, and adaptability—especially in industries where even microscopic inconsistencies can have outsized consequences. As global supply chains grow more complex and regulatory standards tighten, facilities that invest in specialized processes and contamination control are quietly becoming the backbone of innovation. Segregated…

Read More
materials
Tekniplex Showcases Sustainable Materials Innovation at Paris Packaging Week 2026
April 9, 2026

At Paris Packaging Week 2026, Tekniplex didn’t just exhibit—it staged an experience that reflected the evolving intersection of materials science and brand storytelling. The company’s modern booth, complete with a living wall and immersive digital displays, signaled a broader shift in how packaging innovators are choosing to engage a sustainability-conscious audience. Beneath the…

Read More
Paris Packaging
Paris Packaging 2026: How Material Science and Global Innovation Are Reshaping the Future of Packaging
April 9, 2026

In an era where sustainability, performance, and consumer expectations are colliding, packaging has quietly become one of the most dynamic frontiers of innovation. What was once viewed as a functional afterthought is now a strategic lever—one that blends advanced science, manufacturing precision, and an increasingly human-centered understanding of market needs. Material science, in this…

Read More