Alcohol or not! Which hand sanitiser works best?
Hand sanitiser production is unregulated, meaning that any company can produce them, but its quality is usually not verifiable unless they can provide certified laboratory testing with accreditations. This has led to many substandard products with some having serious health risks.
Enveloped viruses such as Zika, Ebola, and Coronaviruses (SARS, MERS) are effectively inactivated by alcohol sanitisers developed under WHO guidelines. Hand contact times are however critical in ensuring effectiveness of an alcohol sanitiser. Reapplication of alcohol-based sanisters is necessary on a frequent basis as there is no residual anti-microbial protection. Frequent use of alcohol-based hand sanitisers can however cause skin dryness and irritation.
There is good evidence, however, that other compounds are effective against not only the more well-known – pre-pandemic – bacteria, viruses, and fungi, but also Coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2. Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (Quats) have been tested to be persistently effective on skin and surfaces, against microorganisms, with the advantage of providing longer-lasting protection on the skin. Non-alcohol sanitisers are kinder to the skin and safer overall.
Studies have found Quats to be effective for 4 hours after use compared to alcohol sanitisers which show limited effect after 60 minutes.
Non-alcohol sanitisers are a viable alternative to the pervasive alcohol-based products.
Enveloped viruses such as Zika, Ebola, and Coronaviruses (SARS, MERS) are effectively inactivated by alcohol sanitisers developed under WHO guidelines. Hand contact times are however critical in ensuring effectiveness of an alcohol sanitiser. Reapplication of alcohol-based sanisters is necessary on a frequent basis as there is no residual anti-microbial protection. Frequent use of alcohol-based hand sanitisers can however cause skin dryness and irritation.
There is good evidence, however, that other compounds are effective against not only the more well-known – pre-pandemic – bacteria, viruses, and fungi, but also Coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2. Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (Quats) have been tested to be persistently effective on skin and surfaces, against microorganisms, with the advantage of providing longer-lasting protection on the skin. Non-alcohol sanitisers are kinder to the skin and safer overall.
Studies have found Quats to be effective for 4 hours after use compared to alcohol sanitisers which show limited effect after 60 minutes.
Non-alcohol sanitisers are a viable alternative to the pervasive alcohol-based products.
