Hand Sanitizer

Hand Sanitizer is a liquid gel or foam used mostly on hands to quickly kill bacteria and viruses. It is often used when washing with soap and water is inconvenient. It is effective in killing bacteria but ineffective in removing visible dirt from hands. The CDC states that the use of hand sanitizers is an effective alternative to washing with soap and water so long as the hands are not visibly dirty. Components: Alcohol based hand sanitizers are made up of alcohol, a thickening agent, a moisturizer, fragrances and colors. In order to be effective hand sanitizers must be over 60 percent alcohol. The higher the alcohol content the more effective it is in killing microbes. Pros and Cons: Alcohol can dry out skin but many brands contain moisturizers to prevent dryness. Hand washing is equally efficient if done correctly by scrubbing all surfaces thoroughly with soap and warm water for 15-20 seconds. Hand sanitizer does requires less time to use, so much so that an ICU nurse working an eight-hour shift will save an estimated time of one hour by using hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizer is not as effective as washing unless fingernails are well trimmed and no jewelry is worn. Studies show that rotavirus is reliably killed by alcohol-based hand sanitizer. In another study regular use of hand sanitizers reduces the number of gastrointestinal illnesses by 59%. Safety: Alcohol based hand sanitizer may cause alcohol poisoning if ingested. Children are curious in nature and taste is part of how they explore the world. Hand sanitizers are often colored and scented and may be alluring to a young child. In the United States over 12,000 child alcohol poison incidences a year directly related to hand sanitizer. Always keep hand sanitizer out of children’s reach and when using on a child watch to make sure he or she doesn’t taste it. It only takes a teaspoon of hand sanitizer to poison a toddler. Alcohol sanitizers flammable. There was even one incidence of a static charge sparked fire. Avoid close contact with flame or other forms of ignition until the alcohol has evaporated form the skin. Do not store alcohol near a hot area, like a stove.

1. Price Range: $1 to $7
2. Warning: Keep out of reach of children
3. Warning: If ingest call poison control
4. Warning: Keep away from flame
5. Supervise children when using
6. Kills 99.99% of bacteria
7. Apply and rub until evaporated
8. Store at room temperature
9. Not recommend for use on broken skin
10. Some types may stain clothing
11. Microbes begin to repopulate immediately after alcohol evaporates
12. All natural no-alcohol hand sanitizers available

• Be Lazier: Hand Sanitizer Posts

• NatureMomsBlog: Safe Hand Sanitizers and Anti-Bacterials (March 19 2008)

• The Benevolent Dictator: "Why I Hate Hand Sanitizer" (December 19, 2007)

• CNET Blogs: Organic hand sanitizer for crazy parents (December 11, 2007)

• The Beauty Brains: Should you be using hand sanitizers? (June 5, 2006)

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