FDA Wants Proof that Sanitizers Actually Work

We’ve talked about this on this blog before… there really isn’t any proof that sanitizers actually work. I’m guessing that the FDA has read my blog 🙂 because they are now asking for proof that these so called disinfectants actually do work.

The FDA isn’t saying that they don’t work, they are just asking manufacturers to provide proof that they actually do; proof that they are going to have a hard time providing because studies have shown that 1. the alcohol in the disinfectants has to be on the surface for much longer than it is in almost all instances and 2. germs and bacteria that aren’t killed produce super germs that are now immune.

Check out the full article at http://www.today.com/health/fda-wants-proof-hand-sanitizers-work-t100392

 

How Not to Dry Your Hands

Yesterday we talked about how to wash your hands (and how are we all, in fact, doing it wrong). Today we’re going to discover how not to dry your hands after you’ve washed them.

Yesterday’s post told us that the WHO recommended using a single use paper towel. Turns out that is, in fact, the best way. It also turns out that the Dyson hand-dryers (you know, those dryers that blow air and sound like a jet airplane taking off).

Flickr/Sean MacEntee – flic.kr

A new study just found that these air blowers spread 60 times more germs than those old model warm-air blowers and, more importantly, they  1,300 times more germs than the single-use  paper towels recommended in yesterday’s post.

So forget using air blowers and just use paper towels.

Your Dirty Habits Make Me Sick (Infographic)

a look at some of the dirtiest things we encounter throughout the workday

Avoiding Germs During Flu Outbreaks (Infographic)

According to a survey conducted by Bradley Corp. here’s how workers try to avoid germs when in a public restroom.

The Dirtiest Things you Touch all the Time (Infographic)

The Germiest Places

Want to know where you picked up that germ that kept you home sick last week?

Check out this news report

Germs in the Office (Infographic)

Antibacterial Soaps to be banned?

We’ve mentioned this before (See the blog post here), antibacterial soaps simply don’t work. There is absolutely no proof that they help prevent the spread of germs.

In spite of this, they seem to be everywhere, even in supermarkets and small stores for patrons to use to supposedly protect from germs. And therein lies the problem. Because the widespread use of antibacterial soaps the FDA is now looking at imposing stricter controls because the main active ingredient triclosan seems to be interfering with hormone levels and helping produce “super bugs” that resistant to drugs.

The FDA is now going to require manufacturers of antibacterial soaps to show proof that their products are more effective in fighting germs than soap and regular water alone. If they can not do so they will have to relabel, reformulate or remove the products from market.

Unfortunately this isn’t going to happen overnight. Manufacturers apparently have until the end of 2016, three years from now, to respond. That’s three years of these products potentially continuing to produce bacteria that isn’t going to respond to antibiotics and other drugs. It might be a little too little a little too late.

 

5 Things that are cleaner than your cell phone

Here’s a short 45 second video that any and every cell phone user needs to watch:

The Risks of High Speed Dryers

This information is from a pdf that you can view or download from the Kimberly-Clark website entitled “Are high speed dryers really worth the risk?”

Several new studies reveal that

high speed dryers can pose bacterial contamination, tenant dissatisfaction and other business risks.

RISK:

High speed dryers harbor bacteria on their surfaces and in their airstreams which could lead to dangerous cross contamination.

Bacteria inside dryers are carried in the airstream and deposited on wet hands. Plus many new dryer designs require placing hands inside the machine, increasing the chance of touching surfaces. That means its easier for you to come in contact with other peoples germs than with a clean paper towel.

RISK:

High speed and warm air dryers can blow bacteria on you and throughout the restroom.

A recent University of Westminster study measured bacteria counts directly below and up to 2 meters away from different dryers and towel dispensers. Paper towels posed the least risk of cross contamination. Warm air and high speed dryers literally blew out bacteria for long distances up to 2 meters in the case of the Dyson Airblade

TM. The study identified 10 different types of harmful bacteria moving through the airstream and onto hands, including Escherichia coli (e-coli) and Staphyloccus Aureus (staph).

RISK:

Air dryers can dramatically increase bacteria on hands

The University of Westminster study found that high speed dryers increase bacteria count on hands up to 42%, and warm air dryers increase bacteria by up to 254%. On the other hand,

paper towels actually reduce bacteria on hands by up to 77%.