Hand Sanitizer : What is it?
| A hand sanitizer is used as an alternative to washing the hands with soap and water. Also called alcohol gel, it contains isopropranol or ethanol alcohol in gel, foam, or liquid form. It is used for sanitizing the hands anytime and anywhere especially in the absence of a washroom. It is contained in bottle usually small enough to be carried inside a handbag.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers the hand sanitizer an acceptable alternative to washing the hands with soap and water for hygienic purposes except when the hands are visibly dirty. Its alcohol concentration must be above 60% to be effective in killing microbes. However, certain bacteria, particularly spore-forming gram positives, are relatively resistant to a hand sanitizer, so it should not completely replace regular hand washing. |
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Kinds of Hand Sanitizers include the following: |
Isopropanol hand sanitizer
- This type of hand sanitizer contains isopropanol (also called isopropyl alcohol or rubbing alcohol), a colorless, flammable chemical compound with a strong odor.
- It is a very effective cleaning agent.
- It has a vapor heavier than air.
Ethanol hand sanitizer
- This type of hand sanitizer contains ethanol (also called ethyl alcohol or grain alcohol), a colorless, flammable, and slightly toxic chemical compound.
- It has a distinctive perfume-like odor.
- It has a concentration of about 62% by weight as an antiseptic.
- Its peak disinfecting power is at around 70% ethanol; a stronger or weaker solution has a lessened ability to disinfect.
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