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Hand sanitizers are portable alternatives to disinfect any germ-ridden part of a person's body. These alcohol-based sanitizers have their benefits, conveniences, and definitely their negative points. According to the Urban Legends Reference Page, one employee's hands exploded into flames due to soapless sanitizer, a windy day, and a cigarette break. While it may be comical, this main ingredient has other effects than just ignition.

Isopropanol, or rubbing alcohol, is the active ingredient in hand sanitizers. The alcohol removes the outer layer of oil on the hands, and, you've heard it before: kills 99.9% of bacteria, viruses, and germs.' The benefit to these pump sanitizers is simple convenience. Having a pump or disposer is far easier to supply than a sink and lotion soap. It is also easier to use on a frequent basis than normal hand washing. The keys to an effective sanitizer, however, are viscosity and concentration. The soapless disinfectant should not be a gel, at least not a very thick one. This simply mobilizes the bacterium and viruses. The concentration should also be above 60% - anything below will not kill the germs. Some discount brands have 40% or below isopropanol, so be careful and check the percentage.

The FDA "recommends that hand sanitizers not be used in place of soap and water but only as an adjunct." Why? Washing with soap and water removes grime, soil, gunk, and not only kills but removes the harmful organisms on your skin. Hand sanitizers are less effective in killing germs, and are almost completely ineffective at removing soil. Plus, at the sanitizer plants, the test surfaces are immobile plates, not hands. The complexity of a hand's routine during the day is not taken into account and therefore sanitizers cannot guarantee complete germ-eradication. The method and amount of application is also not taken into account. "If your hands are dry within 10 or 15 seconds, according to the C.D.C. guidelines for health care workers, you haven't used enough" (New York Times). Rub your hands liberally after application to ensure that you applied the "goop" to all parts of your hand.

Overall, alcohol-based sanitizers are a good backup if you have no ability to use a sink and soap. These sanitizers definitely work better than nothing: "[the subjects] were far less likely to spread [the stomach virus] to other family members as in families that didn't use the hand sanitizer; a 59% reduction was seen" (About.com: Walking). If you are working at the office and have to rush to lunch, this is a good time to use a portable sanitizer. If you work at a food or medical operation, soap, water, and a sink is the best option.

Just remember the active ingredient in these sanitizers is flammable. Let your hands dry before the tobacco or fireworks.

Sources (accessed on 9/1/2007):

1. http://walking.about.com/od/me d/a/handgel093004.htm
2. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03 /21/health/21cons.html?ex=1188 792000&en=788c6ece58a4bf67&ei= 5070
3. http://biology.about.com/libra ry/weekly/aa022400a.htm
4. http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/ household/purell.asp

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