Most of us are aware of the importance of hand washing to prevent the spread of colds, flu, and many types of disease and infections. Children frequently touch contaminated objects and surfaces and then put their fingers in their mouth, nose, or eyes. Hand sanitizers have become increasingly popular for cleaning hands when one is away from soap and water. But are hand sanitizers really effective?
Recent studies suggest that waterless hand sanitizers may not be significantly effective in reducing disease-causing bacteria and, in some cases, may even increase risk of infection. Here are some interesting findings:
