HAND SANITIZERS DO NOT PREVENT THE SPREAD OF DISEASES
Although there are many advantages to hand sanitizers, there are also some studies and negative effects to hand sanitizers which say that they DO NOT prevent the spread of diseases. Firstly, hand sanitizers are not very effective for non-enveloped viruses (strong protein enveloped outermost layer) such as the norovirus, rotavirus, aids, protozoa (malaria), MRSA, and bacterial spores (c. difficile). Therefore, all these viruses could be spread without proper care.
At the James H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Mountain Home, Tennessee in March of 2006 a test was done on the various forms of hand sanitizers. Five hand hygiene treatments were compared: tap water, 40% ethanol , commercial gels with active ingredients of 40% and 62% ethanol, and commercial 40% gel supplemented to 62%. The dominant hands of volunteers were first exposed to 150-mm tryptic soy agar plates for 5s, followed by the hand treatments, for 15 seconds. Then CFU counts were taken before and after the treatments. Results concluded that, 40% ethanol and 40% ethanol gel contributed to no reduction of CFU counts. However, tap water, 62% ethanol and 62% ethanol gel reduced the CFU counts by abover 50%. Thus explaining that any hand sanitizer below 60% is inefficient in killing bacteria. Therefore people with no background knowledge with hand sanitizers could choose the wrong type and still spread diseases.
Non-alcohol hand sanitizers also exist, however their low efficiency and disadvantages make them an unfavourable product. Ammonium compounds (benzalkonium chloride) are used instead of alcohols to reduce the microbes. They are incredibly low in efficiency and don’t actually provide real life benefits for us. They don’t work on certain classes of germs such as Gram-positive vs. Gram-negative bacteria, and Cryptosporidium. They also contribute to bacterial resistance towards the sanitizing agent and other drugs. This can increase the amount of bacteria growing on hands thus creating higher risks for infections. And it can also prevent any sort of cure or antibiotic from preventing the virus from spreading and harming the body. Furthermore, it is highly likely to irritate the skin and damage it.
The FDA have also released regulations on the amount of ammonium compounds available in products. According to the FDA there must be a limit for the use of benzalkonium chloride and benzethonium chloride for hand antiseptic in non-rinse, leave on products. Insufficient scientific evidence exists to prove these ammonium compound products as Category 1 chemicals (where it is thoroughly safe and effective for all types of products including non rise applications) in non-rinse products. Furthermore the FDA approves that benzalkonium chloride and benzethonium chloride have not been proven to be effective for leave-on products. This concludes any doubts about safety and efficiency in most non-alcohol hand sanitizers, proving that it may not be safe and efficient as other sanitizers.
Although the elimination of good bacteria may not necessarily risk the body, it is something to be considerate of. Many people use hand sanitizers in excess, therefore, at each use of the sanitizer a significant amount of good bacteria is killed. As the use of hand sanitizers increase, doesn’t the amount of good bacteria killed increase as well? Little by little, humans are deprived of an abundance of good bacteria that is needed to keep disease-causing bacteria away and keep humans healthy.
Additionally, there are studies that prove that a high amount of exposure to alcohol, strips the outer layer of oil on the skin and suggests an increased loss of skin lipids. A minuscule amount of alcohol from the sanitizer is absorbed by the skin. Alcohol can also break the protective layer of skin and allows chemicals like parabens to easily penetrate through the skin. Research suggests that, alcohol has been found in the blood of people who have used hand sanitizers through inhalation and dermal exposure.
In April of 2012, 6 California teenagers were hospitalized after having alcohol poising due to consumption of hand sanitizers. About 2600 cases of this kind have been reported since 2010. Alcohol and sanitizer has more than 60% ethyl alcohol, or ethanol, which is also the main ingredient in beer, wine and spirits. Doctors confirmed that consuming hand sanitizers has the same effect as ingesting large amounts of alcohol; slurred speech, unresponsiveness, possibly falling into a coma state. It may even lead to long term damages as well. This inexpensive product can also cause some great damage when used incorrectly.
Due to its increased popularity, hand sanitizers could be in the reach of children and if swallowed may cause minor damages. Most children tend not to intake alcohol containing sanitizers however if it is done, it may increase the alcohol blood levels bringing it close to toxic levels. Medical attention must be immediately contacted to be cautious and sure of any other medical damages.
Hand sanitizers only work efficiently when used correctly and in the right amount. If hand sanitizers are not used in dime-sized drops with a continuing rubbing motion for 15 seconds, not all of the microbial cells would be killed. Studies have also showed that hand sanitizers do not work on heavily soiled or greasy hands. This is because the alcohol in hand sanitizer do not have direct contact with the microbials, instead the soil and grease on the hands protect the germs and prevent them from being fully destroyed. Furthermore, hand sanitizers are very effective only if it has a concentration between 60%-95%. Any concentration lower than this may not be as effective and may allow alcohol to evaporate quickly, reducing the time needed for adequate protection.
At the James H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Mountain Home, Tennessee in March of 2006 a test was done on the various forms of hand sanitizers. Five hand hygiene treatments were compared: tap water, 40% ethanol , commercial gels with active ingredients of 40% and 62% ethanol, and commercial 40% gel supplemented to 62%. The dominant hands of volunteers were first exposed to 150-mm tryptic soy agar plates for 5s, followed by the hand treatments, for 15 seconds. Then CFU counts were taken before and after the treatments. Results concluded that, 40% ethanol and 40% ethanol gel contributed to no reduction of CFU counts. However, tap water, 62% ethanol and 62% ethanol gel reduced the CFU counts by abover 50%. Thus explaining that any hand sanitizer below 60% is inefficient in killing bacteria. Therefore people with no background knowledge with hand sanitizers could choose the wrong type and still spread diseases.
Non-alcohol hand sanitizers also exist, however their low efficiency and disadvantages make them an unfavourable product. Ammonium compounds (benzalkonium chloride) are used instead of alcohols to reduce the microbes. They are incredibly low in efficiency and don’t actually provide real life benefits for us. They don’t work on certain classes of germs such as Gram-positive vs. Gram-negative bacteria, and Cryptosporidium. They also contribute to bacterial resistance towards the sanitizing agent and other drugs. This can increase the amount of bacteria growing on hands thus creating higher risks for infections. And it can also prevent any sort of cure or antibiotic from preventing the virus from spreading and harming the body. Furthermore, it is highly likely to irritate the skin and damage it.
The FDA have also released regulations on the amount of ammonium compounds available in products. According to the FDA there must be a limit for the use of benzalkonium chloride and benzethonium chloride for hand antiseptic in non-rinse, leave on products. Insufficient scientific evidence exists to prove these ammonium compound products as Category 1 chemicals (where it is thoroughly safe and effective for all types of products including non rise applications) in non-rinse products. Furthermore the FDA approves that benzalkonium chloride and benzethonium chloride have not been proven to be effective for leave-on products. This concludes any doubts about safety and efficiency in most non-alcohol hand sanitizers, proving that it may not be safe and efficient as other sanitizers.
Although the elimination of good bacteria may not necessarily risk the body, it is something to be considerate of. Many people use hand sanitizers in excess, therefore, at each use of the sanitizer a significant amount of good bacteria is killed. As the use of hand sanitizers increase, doesn’t the amount of good bacteria killed increase as well? Little by little, humans are deprived of an abundance of good bacteria that is needed to keep disease-causing bacteria away and keep humans healthy.
Additionally, there are studies that prove that a high amount of exposure to alcohol, strips the outer layer of oil on the skin and suggests an increased loss of skin lipids. A minuscule amount of alcohol from the sanitizer is absorbed by the skin. Alcohol can also break the protective layer of skin and allows chemicals like parabens to easily penetrate through the skin. Research suggests that, alcohol has been found in the blood of people who have used hand sanitizers through inhalation and dermal exposure.
In April of 2012, 6 California teenagers were hospitalized after having alcohol poising due to consumption of hand sanitizers. About 2600 cases of this kind have been reported since 2010. Alcohol and sanitizer has more than 60% ethyl alcohol, or ethanol, which is also the main ingredient in beer, wine and spirits. Doctors confirmed that consuming hand sanitizers has the same effect as ingesting large amounts of alcohol; slurred speech, unresponsiveness, possibly falling into a coma state. It may even lead to long term damages as well. This inexpensive product can also cause some great damage when used incorrectly.
Due to its increased popularity, hand sanitizers could be in the reach of children and if swallowed may cause minor damages. Most children tend not to intake alcohol containing sanitizers however if it is done, it may increase the alcohol blood levels bringing it close to toxic levels. Medical attention must be immediately contacted to be cautious and sure of any other medical damages.
Hand sanitizers only work efficiently when used correctly and in the right amount. If hand sanitizers are not used in dime-sized drops with a continuing rubbing motion for 15 seconds, not all of the microbial cells would be killed. Studies have also showed that hand sanitizers do not work on heavily soiled or greasy hands. This is because the alcohol in hand sanitizer do not have direct contact with the microbials, instead the soil and grease on the hands protect the germs and prevent them from being fully destroyed. Furthermore, hand sanitizers are very effective only if it has a concentration between 60%-95%. Any concentration lower than this may not be as effective and may allow alcohol to evaporate quickly, reducing the time needed for adequate protection.