Identification

• Hand sanitizers are any of the number of products that deliver alcohol through the medium of gel, foam, or liquid to the hands to instantly sanitize them without the need for soap and water. This is useful when outdoors away from restrooms or in time-sensitive situations where it isn't practical to find a sink. They are also known as hand alcohol and antiseptic hand wash, and can be found in medical facilities and in the bathrooms on airplanes, as well as in food service facilities and in public areas such as supermarkets and schools. The most common brands used in hospitals are Avant, Aniosgel 85* NPC, Sterillium, Desderman and Allsept S.
  
  

History

• Lupe Hernandez was studying to become an RN when she formulated the idea that alcohol could be delivered through the medium of gel to provide near instantaneous cleansing in an environment where there isn't always time to find a sink and wash with soap and warm water. Sometimes 30 seconds can mean the difference between life and death in a medical emergency. She called an invention hotline that she found on television and ordered the package necessary to create and trademark her idea, and was contacted soon after sending it back in.
  
  

Misconceptions

• While hand sanitizer producers are able to claim that their product kills 99.9 percent of bacteria, this can be misleading. These tests are routinely conducted in a controlled environment on a smooth surface, where, unlike our hands, there are no places for bacteria to hide. Also, industrial hand sanitizer is held to a much higher standard than commercial sanitizer.
  
  

Effects

• Hand sanitizer removes the topmost layer of oil on our hands, therefore removing good bacteria as well as bad. This said, it is an exceptional method for cleaning hands when time is a factor. It just may not be the replacement for soap and water that we think it is.
  
  

Warning

• While hand sanitizer is present in virtually all medical facilities, the use of hand sanitizer in lieu of soap and water is not universally embraced by health care and food service authorities. Individuals are often encouraged or required by regulation to supplement the use of hand sanitizer with conventional washing for optimal results. Additionally, there is the risk of alcohol poisoning if an adequate quantity is consumed by a child.
  
  

Considerations

• While the jury is out on the possibility of hand sanitizer replacing soap and water, there's no doubt that it has made a great impact on the medical community and the world at large, providing a safe and quick way to clean your hands on the go.