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Why everyone needs access to soap and water hand washing – at all times
Jun
Hand sanitiser “Isn’t As Effective At Killing Germs As You Think”
It seems that too many people these days rely on the convenience of gels when it comes to hand hygiene: they can certainly prove to be useful under many circumstances. But another in a long line of articles has recently been published, which warns that not only is soap and water often the better option for effectively cleaning hands – there are circumstances when hand sanitisers are of very little use at all, according to a recent report on the Huffington Post website.
Indeed – article author Sarah Bourassa leaps straight in with the key takeaway.
“Plenty of different types of viruses and bacteria are resistant to alcohol-based sanitizers. And they can make you very sick.”
Hand gels, even the usually more effective alcohol based ones, don’t come near the “99.9% effectiveness” that they sometimes claim, writes Bourassa, who quotes a physician at Cleveland Clinic who specialises in infectious diseases. This is usually because they are tested in “ideal” laboratory conditions. In the real world gels are inadequate for “visibly dirty or greasy hands”, when an insufficient amount is used on the hands, or when they have low levels of alcohol Dr. Anthony K. Leung advised.
Why soap and water washing makes such a difference
Along with the aforementioned visibly dirty hands, there are other situations when a more “traditional” (soap and water) approach to hand hygiene is far more effective, says the report.
“Hand sanitizer is ineffective against certain types of pathogens because of how they are structured.”
There are certain types of bacterium that can survive and remain viable when alcohol based sanitisers are deployed: Clostridium difficile is such a bacterium. Similarly, some parasites that have a “tough outer shell” such as cryptosporidium which is mentioned as an example. Indeed, gels are so ineffective against it that the article describes it as being akin to “throwing a ping pong ball at it.”
Dr. Soniya Gandhi from the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center reinforced the argument, stating that
“Hand-washing is always preferred when possible…”
It is though, she added, essential to use a “proper technique” for it to be fully effective. Rubbing hands vigorously to create friction for at least 20 seconds is important she is quoted as saying. And drying hands well is also important because “because wet hands can more easily transmit germs” she added.
Hand Sanitizer Isn’t As Effective At Killing Germs As You Think — Here’s What You Need To Know »
Effective mobile hand washing for everyone – wherever they are
Teal produces a comprehensive range of mobile and washing units for every type of hand washing situation for use by anyone who needs to wash their hands effectively, whether they’re in hospital or medical facility, care home, an office environment, temporary accommodation or out in the field on a daily basis.
Mobile hand wash stations can also be hired »
There are vehicle mounted, wall mounted, mains powered and free standing hand wash stations as well as mobile sinks for use with pre-heated hot water.
The Teal range of mobile sinks includes the MediWash, Hygienius and Hygienius ProWash, BigSynk, Super Stallette, TEALwash, Handeman Xtra, Compact Classic, HandSpa, CliniWash – and now the new WashStand Xtra.