Strengths & Weaknesses of alcohol based hand sanitizers
Hand sanitizers are big business now with the surging public concern centered on the H1N1 swine flu. But few people understand much about them.
Alcohol-based sanitizers are by far the most common with Purell being the market leader. Alcohol as an active ingredient is very effective and inexpensive which make it a hit with consumers.
But alcohol-based sanitizers have a major drawback. The mechanism of action for alcohol is drying. As it evaporates it kills germs. But once the alcohol has dried it is no longer effective.
There is no lasting protection.
Therefore, to properly use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer it must be constantly reapplied. Shake a hand...re-apply. Touch a door handle...re-apply. Answer a phone...re-apply. Ride in a train, subway, bus, cab or a car...re-apply. Touch anything, including yourself...I think that you are starting to get the picture.
Who actually has time or remembers to constantly re-apply an alcohol-based hand sanitizer?
So in reality how effective is it?
Alcohol-based sanitizers are by far the most common with Purell being the market leader. Alcohol as an active ingredient is very effective and inexpensive which make it a hit with consumers.
But alcohol-based sanitizers have a major drawback. The mechanism of action for alcohol is drying. As it evaporates it kills germs. But once the alcohol has dried it is no longer effective.
There is no lasting protection.
Therefore, to properly use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer it must be constantly reapplied. Shake a hand...re-apply. Touch a door handle...re-apply. Answer a phone...re-apply. Ride in a train, subway, bus, cab or a car...re-apply. Touch anything, including yourself...I think that you are starting to get the picture.
Who actually has time or remembers to constantly re-apply an alcohol-based hand sanitizer?
So in reality how effective is it?
Posted by Johnny Benjamin MD at 10/30/2009 2:36 PM 
Categories: HEALTH
Tags: hand sanitizers alcohol Dr. Johnny Benjamin Purell H1N1
Categories: HEALTH
Tags: hand sanitizers alcohol Dr. Johnny Benjamin Purell H1N1
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