Do hand sanitizers kill the viruses that cause the flu and colds? My husband says no, they just kill bacteria, not viruses, and hand washing with soap is better. So why all the sanitizers everywhere?
Can hand sanitizers really kill the flu? - Proposed by Matt Heilman at the Daily Kansan.
ANSWER: The infectious agent for Swine flu (H1N1, Mexican flu) is an Influenza A virus (H1N1). The allowed FDA OTC claim for both benzalkonium chloride-based and Alcohol-based hand sanitizers is “reduces bacteria on the skin”.
However, it is known that benzalkonium chloride is effective at inactivating Influenza A virus, based on hard surface disinfectant data, at concentrations of 0.03 – 0.05% benzalkonium chloride. By comparison, CLEANpHIRST Foam Hand Sanitizer contains 0.1% benzalkonium chloride: 2 to 3 times higher than what is required for disinfectant activity against Influenza virus.
Typically, enveloped viruses such as Influenza A are easily inactivated by benzalkonium chloride. Note that for the same FDA claim of “reduces bacteria on the skin”, alcohol-based products require a minimum of 62% alcohol, where benzalkonium-based sanitizers require only 0.1%.
FDA does not allow for virucidal claims under the Topical Antimicrobials monograph for either benzalkonium or alcohol-based hand sanitizer products and for compliance we do not make these label claims.
While the virus claims can’t be made on the product label, we believe that CLEANpHIRST Foam Hand Sanitizer with benzalkonium chloride is effective at inactivating the Influenza A virus.
Effectiveness of Hand Sanitizers:
Benzalkonium chloride-based leave-on hand sanitizer has demonstrated efficacy in real-world environments. When evaluated in elementary school environments where the importance of proper hygiene practices including hand washing is taught and emphasized, the use of non-alcohol benzalkonium chloride-based leave-on hand sanitizer reduced illness absenteeism 30-40% in double-blind, placebo-controlled studies versus hand washing alone.
Alcohol-free instant hand sanitizer reduces illness Absenteeism. Family Medicine, 32(9), 633-638; CG White, FS Shinder & DL Dyer (2001)
Residual Value Of Alcohol-Free Hand Sanitizers:
Alcohol-based hand sanitizers stop working the INSTANT they dry. The leading manufacturer of alcohol-based hand sanitizers claims that their product kills 99.99% of most common germs that may cause disease in as little as 15 seconds. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers dry in 8 to 10 seconds, and fall below the efficacious concentration of alcohol in seconds. It has been reported that alcohol-based hand sanitizers offer no residual protection, and that if your hands feel dry after rubbing them together for 15 seconds, an insufficient volume of alcohol gel was likely applied.(1) Benzalkonium chloride-based hand sanitizer dries fast, but in 10-15 seconds slower than alcohol-based hand sanitizers, allowing more than the minimum contact time for complete efficacious coverage, including under the fingernails. Additionally, benzalkonium chloride-based CLEANpHIRST Foam Hand Sanitizer delivers 2 to 4 hours of residual protection from its proprietary formulation.
(1) Marples, RR, & Towers, AG (1979). A laboratory model for the investigation of contact transfer of microorganisms. The Journal of Hygiene, 82(2) 237-248.
In Summary: Some Hand Sanitzers Are More Effective Than Others.
- Benzalkonium chloride-based CLEANpHIRST Foam Hand Sanitizer had greater sustained antibacterial activity than alcohol based hand sanitizers.
- Alcohol-based hand sanitizers became less effective with repeated use and irritate the hands of subjects.
- Benzalkonium chloride-based CLEANpHIRST Alcohol-Free Foam Hand Sanitizer becomes more effective without irritation after repeated use.
Labels: cleaning tips, cleanphirst, H1N1 Swine Flu, Hand Sanitizer, Prevent Flu Infection
0 Comments :
Post a Comment
<< Home