[quote]How long can HCV live outside the body and transmit infection? Recent studies suggest that HCV may survive on environmental surfaces at room temperature at least 16 hours, but no longer than 4 days.[/quote] [quote]What do you use to remove HCV from environmental surfaces? You should clean up any blood spills - including dried blood, which can still be infectious - using 1:10 dilution of one part household bleach to 10 parts of water for disinfecting the area. Use gloves when cleaning up any blood spills.[/quote] http://www.cdc.gov/NCIDOD/DISEASES/hepatitis/c/faq.htm#1b1 Related: Sharing of Community rip/nail scissors, nail clippers personal products in the gym http://www.gymchat.com/messageboards/viewtopic.php?t=1069

Blood spots are gross. The teachers try to clean them right when it happens when they notice, with some disinfecting solution. But some of the panel mats have dry blood spots especially on the inside, when you unfold them out, probably because no one noticed when it happened. They should clean them, but they probably think that since it's dry it's ok to leave it, or there isn't a rush, but a lot of the people complain about it.

Rick brings up the subject also, "blood in the gym - what do we do?" on his gymnasticscoaching blog: [quote]Recently a group of coaches discussed how to deal with blood and other bodily fluids in the gym. There is some small risk to others. Most of the coaches felt that a senior first aid responder should clear the area, put on protective gloves and thoroughly disinfect the affected equipment. I

One of the coaches cleaned a blood spot on the low bar with spit and his fingers. He said he knew whose it was. Yuck! Another time he ignored the blood spots on the high and low bars and said the chalk on the bars would take care of it. He also would tell the girls who got a rip to rub chalk on it and keep working. Another time there was a blood spot on the low bar during open gym and all the girls working on it were grossed out; one girl that wasn't went into the bathroom and got a wet paper towel and wiped it off, and then rubbed chalk on it. It was a couple years ago. I don't go to that gym anymore.