NYS Dept of Health Comments on Hand Sanitizer
Posted on December 16, 2009 by BlogAdmin
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This is an excerpt from an article that appeared in the HandHygienefacts blog. Alcohol free SafeHands does not require a pre-wash with soap and water.
NYS Dept Of Health [Cautions] Use of Alcohol Hand Sanitizers: Wash Hands BEFORE Applying
In a recent publication re: “hand hygiene antiseptic agents in hospital settings”, the New York State Department of Health provides the completely ironic recommendation for users of alcohol-based hand sanitizers and states: “wash hands with soap and water for at least 15 seconds before applying alcohol hand sanitizer.”
A fifth grade student asks: “Why would I apply alcohol to my hands if I’ve just washed them with soap and water???”
NYS Dept of Health answers: “Because alcohol is not a cleaning agent, and it does not penetrate dirty/soiled skin..”
In the same document, the NYS Dept of Health cautions that “alcohol-based hand sanitizers are NON-PERSISTENT and have “NO RESIDUAL ACTIVITY”
This means that alcohol sanitizers have NO EFFECTIVENESS within seconds after product application, as alcohol dries within seconds.