--- title: "Safe, Safer, Safely, Safest - Who knew they were \"Bathroom\" words!" description: "Safe, Safer, Safely, Safest - Who knew they were \"Bathroom\" words!" --- - **[SEARCH](https://www.viroxanimalhealth.com/search-0)** ** - **[CONTACT US](https://www.viroxanimalhealth.com/contact-us)** - **SDS** - [**Companion Animal**](https://www.viroxanimalhealth.com/companion-animal-msds) - [**Farm Animal**](https://www.viroxanimalhealth.com/farm-animal-msds) ## Something Powerful # Resources     ## Safe, Safer, Safely, Safest - Who knew they were "Bathroom" words! Knowing that I am likely to be mocked by my colleagues for using my son in yet another blog, I think those of you with children will appreciate this analogy. Kids are sieves.  They soak up everything you say and in particular EVERYTHING you don't want them to repeat.  In our house, these are deemed "Bathroom" words.  Aside from the obvious "bad" words, I did not realize the list of unobvious words that have now become taboo in my vocabulary such as stupid, idiot, butt or butthead, nerd or loser. I am really running out of descriptive words to use when on the verge of road rage because the IDIOT in front of me has braked for no apparent reason.  Inevitably from the back seat I hear "MOM - that's a BATHROOM word!" From a manufacturer's perspective, EPA registration of disinfectants is a long and windy road often filled with potholes, U-turns and the occasional dead end.  It's true, there are defined test methods that a manufacturer must use to prove product disinfectant efficacy, toxicity profiles and chemistry profiles etc.  There are also a number of supporting documents that the EPA has published such as the [EPA Label Review Manual](http://www.epa.gov/oppfead1/labeling/lrm/) and [Code of Federal Regulations -  Labeling Requirements](http://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/40/156.10) to "help" ensure that disinfectant product labels, marketing materials, advertisements, websites and even tradeshow booth graphics use "approved" language and avoid the use of "inappropriate" language. Safe, Safely, Safer, Safest, Green, Non-Toxic, Harmless... etc, etc are wonderfully simple yet descriptive words that clearly impart in plain English a meaning that the general population can understand. These words can easily be found in the Merriam or Webster dictionary, however, in the EPA's Dictionary of Approved Words that CAN be used on Disinfectant Product Labels or Marketing Materials they do not exist. They are banned, they are taboo, they are to be avoided at all costs and if used....there can be hefty repercussions. Unfortunately, from a consumer perspective there is no class that can be taken to learn what can and cannot, should and should not be included on disinfectant product labels or marketing materials.  "*Policing*" of disinfectant marketing materials, advertisement etc is primarily left to industry to monitor their competitors. Most reputable manufacturers follow the rules and ensure that they do not use words or phrases that are considered false or misleading, however, there are those unscrupulous companies that know the general consumer does not understand what can be said by law on their marketing materials and also know that "simple" words such as Safe or Harmless will resonate with the consumer looking to choose a product.  They have no qualms pulling the wool over your eyes to sell more product or position their product against similar competitive products to gain a competitive edge so to speak and make another buck. To become a "Pro" at reading and interpreting disinfectant labels and marketing materials you certainly can use the EPA Label Review Manual or CFR Labeling Requirements regulation, but having read them myself, save yourself the trouble.  Instead when reviewing new disinfectant products ask yourself the following: 1. Do these claims seem too good to be true?  If they do, ask to see the data used to make the claims. 2. Is the wool being pulled over my eyes? Do these claims or statements seem misleading?  If so, investigate further and ask lots of questions and gather the data to support the claims. 3. Are they using "Bathroom" words?  If they are, you should question the accuracy and appropriateness of such claims. As a consumer if you are uncertain as to the appropriateness of claims or statements made on disinfectant products and their associated marketing materials you can submit an inquiry to the EPA or just call or email me...I'd be happy to provide clarification for you! *Bugging Off!* * * * * Nicole ## Search All Resources ## Browse by Category - MSDS/SDS - [• Companion Animal →](https://www.viroxanimalhealth.com/companion-animal-msds) - [• Farm Animal →](https://www.viroxanimalhealth.com/farm-animal-msds) - [Protocols & Procedures](https://www.viroxanimalhealth.com/resources/talkcleantome/2013/06/safe-safer-safely-safest-who-knew-they.html#) - [• Companion Animal →](https://www.viroxanimalhealth.com/resources/topic/protocols-and-procedures-companion-animal) - • Farm Animal → [CDN](https://www.viroxanimalhealth.com/resources/topic/farm-animal-canada) | [USA](https://www.viroxanimalhealth.com/resources/topic/protocols-and-procedures-farm-animal) - [Technical Bulletins](https://www.viroxanimalhealth.com/resources/talkcleantome/2013/06/safe-safer-safely-safest-who-knew-they.html#) - [• Companion Animal →](https://www.viroxanimalhealth.com/resources/topic/techncial-bulletins-companion-animal) - [• Farm Animal →](https://www.viroxanimalhealth.com/resources/topic/technical-bulletins-farm-animal) - [Pathogen Fact Sheets](https://www.viroxanimalhealth.com/pathogen-fact-sheets) - [Industry Guidelines](https://www.viroxanimalhealth.com/resources/topic/industry-guidelines) - [Industry Publications](https://www.viroxanimalhealth.com/resources/talkcleantome/2013/06/safe-safer-safely-safest-who-knew-they.html#) - [• Companion Animal →](https://www.viroxanimalhealth.com/resources/topic/industry-publications-companion-animal) - [• Farm Animal →](https://www.viroxanimalhealth.com/resources/topic/industry-publications-farm-animal) - [Product Use Information](https://www.viroxanimalhealth.com/resources/talkcleantome/2013/06/safe-safer-safely-safest-who-knew-they.html#) - [• Companion Animal →](https://www.viroxanimalhealth.com/resources/topic/product-use-information-companion-animal) - [• Farm Animal →](https://www.viroxanimalhealth.com/resources/topic/product-use-information-farm-animal) - [Reference Sheets](https://www.viroxanimalhealth.com/resources/talkcleantome/2013/06/safe-safer-safely-safest-who-knew-they.html#) - [• Companion Animal →](https://www.viroxanimalhealth.com/resources/topic/reference-sheets-companion-animal) - [• Farm Animal →](https://www.viroxanimalhealth.com/resources/topic/reference-sheets-farm-animal) - [AHP® Abstracts & Research Posters](https://www.viroxanimalhealth.com/resources/talkcleantome/2013/06/safe-safer-safely-safest-who-knew-they.html#) - [• Companion Animal →](https://www.viroxanimalhealth.com/resources/topic/ahp-abstracts-research-posters-companion-animal) - [• Farm Animal →](https://www.viroxanimalhealth.com/resources/topic/ahp-abstracts-research-posters-farm-animal) - [AHP® Peer Reviewed Articles](https://www.viroxanimalhealth.com/resources/talkcleantome/2013/06/safe-safer-safely-safest-who-knew-they.html#) - [• Companion Animal →](https://www.viroxanimalhealth.com/resources/topic/ahp-peer-reviewed-articles-companion-animal) - [• Farm Animal →](https://www.viroxanimalhealth.com/resources/topic/ahp-peer-reviewed-articles-farm-animal) - [AHP® vs Competitive Chemistries ](https://www.viroxanimalhealth.com/resources/topic/ahp-vs-competitive-chemistries) - [ AHP® Compatibility ](https://www.viroxanimalhealth.com/ahp-compatibility) - [ Testimonials ](https://www.viroxanimalhealth.com/testimonials) - [ Videos ](https://www.viroxanimalhealth.com/videos) - [ Fear Free](https://www.viroxanimalhealth.com/fear-free-and-ahp) - [ Blog](https://www.viroxanimalhealth.com/blog)       [![BottomLogoGrey-VAH](https://www.viroxanimalhealth.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ViroxAnimalHealth/Logos/BottomLogoGrey-VAH.jpg?width=100&name=BottomLogoGrey-VAH.jpg "BottomLogoGrey-VAH")](https://www.viroxanimalhealth.com/) [CONTACT US](https://www.viroxanimalhealth.com/contact-us)  |  [PRIVACY POLICY](https://www.viroxanimalhealth.com/privacy-policy)  |  [TERMS OF USE](https://www.viroxanimalhealth.com/terms-of-use) [** ** (open in a new window)](https://www.youtube.com/user/ViroxAHP) [** ** (open in a new window)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/virox-animal-health) [** ** (open in a new window)](https://twitter.com/AHPbiosecurity) [** ** (open in a new window)](https://www.facebook.com/ViroxAnimalHealth/)   © 2003-2022 VIROX TECHNOLOGIES INC [Virox® Animal Health is a division of Virox® Technologies Inc.](http://www.virox.com/) Website by [BOLD](http://www.boldinternet.com/) AHP® and Design and Accelerated Hydrogen Peroxide® and Design are trademarks of Diversey, Inc.