How effective are alcohol-based hand sanitizers?
Since Instant Hand Sanitizer was introduced 10 years ago to consumers, it has helped millions of children and adults stay healthy and well by reducing bacteria on the skin. Instant Hand Sanitizer kills 99.99 percent of the most common germs that may cause illness.
Do alcohol-based hand sanitizers lead to resistant bacteria?
Unlike the active ingredients in some other instant hand sanitizers and anti-bacterial soaps, laboratory testing has never shown alcohol-based hand sanitizers like to lead to bacterial resistance. There is no evidence that organisms adapt and become immune to the active ingredient in products. Many sources indicate that for organisms to become resistant, low levels of the chemical must remain on the hands for the organisms to adapt. The alcohol in does not remain on the hands for long. Once your hands are rubbed dry after application of hand sanitizers. the alcohol has evaporated completely. leaves no harmful residue. A small bit of emollient (skin conditioning agent) is left on the hands after use to leave your hands feeling soft and refreshed.
When is it especially important to practice good hand hygiene?
Practicing good hand hygiene is especially important:
- After using the bathroom
- Before eating or drinking anything
- Before and after handling raw foods, fish, poultry, or eggs
- After using a public phone
- After riding public transportation
- In schools and day care centers
- After changing diapers
- When one is sick
- After shaking hands
- After sneezing or coughing
- After touching an ATM, elevator buttons, escalator handrails
|
