My sister insists on using hand sanitizers ...

Guest

My sister insists on using hand sanitizers every time we go out. They smell strong to me so I wonder, are they safe?

Michael T. Murray · alive Expert Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 2

Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are probably safe, but they are not as effective as actually washing the hands with soap and water.

Health Canada regulates the use of hand sanitizers in food preparation settings and allows only those that contain a minimum of 60 percent ethyl alcohol. A natural antiseptic, ethyl alcohol has been used in the medical field for over 100 years because it kills germs in seconds, without water, and evaporates quickly.

Manufacturers of antibacterial hand sanitizers claim that they kill 99.9 percent of germs within 5 minutes. However, a review of the research shows that hand sanitizers do not significantly reduce the number of bacteria on the hand in most cases because people typically apply them for less than the recommended 30 to 60 seconds.

Health Canada’s food preparation guidelines recommend hand sanitizers not be used in place of soap and water but only as an adjunct, clearly acknowledging that hand sanitizers are not as effective as washing the hands with soap and water.

Nonetheless, the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers has shown a tendency to reduce illness and absence rates in places like schools probably due to increased compliance (it is easier to use the hand sanitizer than washing hands with soap and water). The caveat appears to be if you are going to use these hand sanitizers, you should do so for at least 30 seconds if you want to see any real benefit.

Guest · Guest

I have to say that I am not a fan of hand sanitizers. I have normal to dry skin and whenever I use hand sanitizers (usually at the hospital where I work) the skin on my hands dries to the point where it cracks.

Soap and water are still best and they are what I encourage my kids to use.

Guest · Guest

hand sanitizers are not safe and they are toxic please do not let your children use them

shirley · Joined: 28 May 2007 Posts: 8

From my point of view, I think that hand sanitizers are safe. They usually prevents bacteria present in the body from coming to the surface of the hansd.

Guest · Guest

I've seen video footage of kids who were burned almost beyond recognition because they used hand sanitizers in the summer and then moved too close to their family BBQ.

Hand sanitizers are made with alcohol and are EXTREMELY flammable and unsafe.

Keep kids away from them.