Proper hand hygiene is crucial for the prevention and decline for the transmission of viruses and infections. Studies have even proven that proper hand sanitation and hygiene leads to a sharp decrease in the transmission of viruses and infections. Hand hygiene primarily consisted of routine hand washing, using warm water and soap with constant rubbing of hands for a decent amount of time. However, since soap and water is not always readily available, another substance rapidly became a popular alternative; hand sanitizers. Now, hand sanitizers have become a familiar method for the cleansing and sanitation of hands. Millions of individuals use hand sanitizers believing that it does its job of killing bacteria and preventing the spread of infectious diseases. Some even claim to kill 99.9% of germs. However, do hand sanitizers actually kill unwanted germs and prevent the spread of disease?
WHAT IS IT?
Hand Sanitizers/ Hand antiseptics are common substances used for killing most germs, bacteria, fungi and stop some viruses. They work as an antiseptic thus killing bacteria very rapidly on contact. They act as alternative for hand washing with soap and water. They are available in gel, foam and liquid solution.
WHAT’S IN IT?
The most active ingredient in these sanitizers is ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol, but can also be ethanol, n-propanol or povidone-iodine
as well. The level of alcohol used varies between 60%-80%, and alcohol-contained hand sanitizers are the most effective. The inactive ingredients in hand sanitizers are thickening agents, humectants, propylene glycol and essential oils of plants.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Basically hand sanitizers work by killing microbial cells. These microbial cells are killed through the 60%-80% use of alcohol. For a virus, sanitizers kill these cells by disrupting the virus’s outer coat. While for a bacterium, they kill by upsetting its cell membrane.
WHAT IS IT?
Hand Sanitizers/ Hand antiseptics are common substances used for killing most germs, bacteria, fungi and stop some viruses. They work as an antiseptic thus killing bacteria very rapidly on contact. They act as alternative for hand washing with soap and water. They are available in gel, foam and liquid solution.
WHAT’S IN IT?
The most active ingredient in these sanitizers is ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol, but can also be ethanol, n-propanol or povidone-iodine
as well. The level of alcohol used varies between 60%-80%, and alcohol-contained hand sanitizers are the most effective. The inactive ingredients in hand sanitizers are thickening agents, humectants, propylene glycol and essential oils of plants.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Basically hand sanitizers work by killing microbial cells. These microbial cells are killed through the 60%-80% use of alcohol. For a virus, sanitizers kill these cells by disrupting the virus’s outer coat. While for a bacterium, they kill by upsetting its cell membrane.