The flu season is now here and steps must be taken to fight the spread of both the common cold, flu, and the dangerous H1N1 disease. Many studies show that hand sanitizers work well in clinical settings like hospitals, where hands come into contact with germs but generally are not heavily soiled or greasy 16 Some data also show that hand sanitizers may work well against certain types of germs on slightly soiled hands 17 , 18 However, hands may become very greasy or soiled in community settings, such as after people handle food, play sports, work in the garden, or go camping or fishing. If you have purchased any of the 94 Purell hand sanitizer 50 ml listed in the warning, the agency recommends you stop using them immediately and dispose of the hand sanitizer in appropriate hazardous waste containers.” Do not flush them down the toilet or pour them down the drain, the FDA advises.
This sanitizer gel belongs to the family of other similar products like the deb sanitizer and the foam hand sanitizer and its credibility lies in the fact that it is capable of eliminating 99.99 % of bacterial and other harmful micro-organisms within a few seconds of being rubbed on the hands. A variation of this product is the cutan foam sanitizer and since both the products can be purchased in packs of 12 pump-top bottles each with a capacity of 400 ml they are economical for being used in washrooms of offices, commercial establishments and public places.
Although all persons using these products on their hands are at risk for methanol poisoning, young children who accidently ingest these products and adolescents and adults who drink these products as an alcohol (ethanol) substitute, are most at risk. In response to COVID-19, the FDA reminds people to wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (especially after going to the bathroom, before eating and after coughing, sneezing or blowing one's nose) to prevent the spread of the coronavirus If soap and water is not available, the CDC suggests using a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent ethanol to kill most disease-causing germs. This product acts through the action of providing alcohol hand sanitizing and along with the cutan foam sanitizer is also aptly classified under eco friendly hygiene products because it is very effective against MRSA, microbes, germs and a host of bacteria.
A November 2014 study published in the Journal of Food Protection found that almost 10 percent of samples from 30 delis — including swabs from surfaces like meat slicers and counters where food is prepared — tested positive for the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes. In the healthcare setting, CDC states that hand washing mechanically removes pathogens, while laboratory data demonstrate that 60% ethanol and 70% isopropanol, the active ingredients in CDC-recommended alcohol-based hand sanitizers, inactivates viruses that are genetically related to, and with similar physical properties as, the 2019-nCoV.
But even before the agency started warning about methanol in sanitizers and announcing recalls of products sold nationwide at retailers including Walmart and Target , the FDA identified another potential danger is some new products flooding the market. While they are not alcohol-based, and thus not recommended by CDC, there are some hand sanitizer products containing benzalkonium chloride as an active ingredient that may be legally marketed if they meet the requirements for marketing under section 505G of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
This quickly evaporating, plant-derived 65% ethyl alcohol exceeds CDC-recommended levels to eliminate 99.99% of many harmful germs and bacteria. Be prepared with sanitizers to keep your hands clean as you pass through. The Centers for Disease Control recommend that you regularly wash your hands with soap and water, but when you are on the go and those things are unavailable, look to hand sanitizers as the next best thing.
|