How Does Hand Sanitizer Work?

How does Hand Sanitizer work? I found this in my wifes Womans Day Magazie. I found it interesting.

Ethyl alcohol (Ethanol) is found in most hand sanitizers. It is a anti-microbial agent that has been recommended as a hand sanitizer since 1888. Alcohol disinfects the skin by disrupting the metabolism of bacterial cells. To be effective, the alcohol content must be over 60%. Other alcohols, like isopropyl alcohol, are also effective, but ethyl alcohol has a lower drying effect on the skin.

Find environmentally-friendly hand sanitizers.



Should I be concerned about alcohol content?

When average adult applies alcohol-based hand sanitizer generously to her hands and forearms, the small amount of ethyl alcohol absorbed is equivalent to drinking 1.5 ml of wine with a 10% alcohol content.

However, in 2006, US poison centers reported 11,914 exposures to ethanol hand sanitizers, including 9,607 related to children under six. Tobe safe, hand sanitizers should be stored out of reach of children.