Hand sanitizer

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Handsprit

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Georgia-Pacific enMotion automated hand sanitizer dispenser at Campbell County Memorial Hospital in Gillette, Wyoming

Automat do dezynfekcji rąk w 60-tysięcznym Tomaszowie Mazowieckim, w województwie łódzkim

Hand sanitizer is a liquid, gel, or foam generally used to decrease infectious agents on the hands. In most settings, hand washing with soap and water is generally preferred. Hand sanitizer is less effective at killing certain kinds of germs, such as norovirus and Clostridium difficile and unlike soap and water, it cannot remove harmful chemicals. People may incorrectly wipe off hand sanitizer before it has dried, and some are less effective because their alcohol concentrations are too low.

Composition

Hand sanitizer typically contains alcohol as the active ingredient. The alcohol-based versions typically contain some combination of isopropyl alcohol, ethanol (ethyl alcohol), or n-propanol, with versions containing 60% to 95% alcohol the most effective. Care should be taken as they are flammable. Alcohol-free versions typically contain benzalkonium chloride or triclosan; but are less effective than alcohol-based ones.

Usage

Hand sanitizers are convenient to use when soap and water are not available. Application involves applying the product to the palm of one hand and rubbing it all over the surfaces of the hands until they are dry. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol content are the most effective in killing germs.

Effectiveness

The effectiveness of hand sanitizer depends on multiple factors, including the way the product is applied (e.g., quantity used, frequency of use) and whether the specific infectious agents present on the person's hands are susceptible to the active ingredient in the product. In general, hand sanitizer is effective at killing many types of microorganisms, including both viruses and bacteria. However, hand sanitizers do not eliminate all types of germs, such as certain fungi, protozoa, and viruses without an envelope.

Safety Concerns

While hand sanitizer is generally safe, there have been concerns about alcohol poisoning, especially in young children who may ingest it accidentally. Moreover, there is potential for alcohol-based hand sanitizer to be abused by individuals seeking its alcoholic content. The frequent use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer can also cause skin irritation or dryness.

Environmental Impact

The increased use of hand sanitizers has raised concerns about its environmental impact, particularly regarding the increased use of single-use plastics for packaging and dispensers. Additionally, the alcohol in hand sanitizers can contribute to the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the atmosphere, which can have adverse environmental effects.

Regulation

In many jurisdictions, hand sanitizers are regulated by health authorities. In the United States, for example, they are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which has issued guidelines regarding the formulation and marketing of hand sanitizers. The FDA has also taken action against hand sanitizers containing harmful ingredients or those that have made false claims about their effectiveness.

History

The use of hand sanitizers has become much more prevalent in the 21st century, especially in the wake of health crises such as the H1N1 flu pandemic in 2009 and the COVID-19 pandemic starting in 2019, which significantly increased public awareness about the importance of hand hygiene.

See Also

• Antiseptic
• Disinfectant
• Hand washing
• Infection control

Hand sanitizer Resources
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