Abstract: A process for removing PCDD's and PCDF's from cellulose-containing fibers such as waste paper is provided. The process comprises contacting the fibers with supercritical or near supercritical carbon dioxide for a period of time sufficient to extract a substantial portion of the PCDD's and PCDF's without substantially damaging the fibers. Extraction efficiencies of greater than 95% have been achieved with the technique.

Abstract: A process for removing stickies and/or PCDD's and PCDF's from cellulose-containing fibers such as waste paper is provided. The process comprises contacting the fibers with supercritical or near supercritical propane for a period of time sufficient to extract a substantial portion of the stickies and/or PCDD's and PCDF's without substantially damaging the fibers. Extraction efficiencies of up to 95% for PCDD's or PCDF's and of about 70% to 95% for stickies have been achieved with the technique.

Abstract: A process for removing PCDD's and PCDF's from paper mill sludge is provided. The process comprises combining the sludge with an oxidant and then oxidizing the sludge under supercritical or near supercritical conditions to destroy the PCDD's and PCDF's. Using this process, destruction efficiencies of greater than 98% have been achieved for 2,3,7,8-TCDD, which is reportedly the most toxic of the dioxins.

Abstract: A process for removing PCDD's and PCDF's from cellulose-containing fibers such as waste paper is provided. The process comprises contacting the fibers with supercritical or near supercritical carbon dioxide for a period of time sufficient to extract a substantial portion of the PCDD's and PCDF's without substantially damaging the fibers. Extraction efficiencies of greater than 95% have been achieved with the technique.

Abstract: A process for removing sticky contaminants ("stickies") from cellulose-containing fibers such as waste paper is provided. The process comprises contacting the fibers with supercritical or near supercritical carbon dioxide for a period of time sufficient to extract a substantial portion of the stickies without substantially damaging the fibers.

Abstract: Germicidal compositions for direct application to human skin are provided. The compositions include an organic acid, e.g., malic acid, and an anionic surfactant, e.g., a sodium alpha-olefin sulfonate, as active ingredients, and can optionally include an alcohol, e.g., specially denatured ethyl alcohol, as an additional active ingredient. When formulated as soaps and lotions, the compositions have been found to produce more than a 2.0 log reduction in bacteria applied to skin.

Abstract: Highly effective and useful method, composition and product for annihilating harmful respiratory viruses and inhibiting the spread of diseases, including the common cold. The product includes one or more carboxylic acids such as citric, malic, succinic, benzoic and the like in an effective amount and may also include a surfactant. Embodiments include impregnated or coated substrates such as facial tissue, nonwoven materials, and the like. In one application, treated tissue, when substituted for ordinary facial tissue and used in wiping the nasal area of a person suffering from a virus-borne infection is effective in annihilating the virus on contact with the treated tissue. This, in turn, prevents the spread of the virus-related illness.

Abstract: Highly effective and useful method, composition and product for annihilating harmful respiratory viruses and inhibiting the spread of diseases, including the common cold. The product includes one or more carboxylic acids such as citric, malic, succinic, benzoic and the like in an effective amount and may also include a surfactant. Embodiments include impregnated or coated substrates such as facial tissue, nonwoven materials, and the like. In one application, treated tissue, when substituted for ordinary facial tissue and used in wiping the nasal area of a person suffering from a virus-borne infection is effective in annihilating the virus on contact with the treated tissue. This, in turn, prevents the spread of the virus-related illness.