Does Hand Sanitizer kill germs?
BY: Clarissa Torres
D'Youville College Math and Natural Sciences
Biology lab 101
Research answers of the use of Hand Sanitizer
Hypothesis of the experiment
- All hand sanitizers have at least 66.6% alcohol in it.
- kills microbial cells (reduce germs)
- It reduces the spread of colds and illnesses
- Since Hand Sanitizer is used without water, it does not remove dirt from hands
- A method for hand hygiene
- Less skin irritation
66.6% of the germs in the hands will be affected.
(Hypothesis was determined by the study of Dr.Sally Bloomfield.)
In the experimental there were three species found , and in the control there was only one species.
The species reduced!!
Does Hand Sanitizer really kill germs?
Reduction of species
Results
1 species
After hand sanitizer
Table
Light growth ( it has less than 20 species)
Sterile cotton swab stick
To conduct the experiment
Hand
What is known
*It is a solution that is anti-bacterial
*Hand Sanitizer is known to kill germs on people hands.
*It is a faster and easier way to clean hand
*Water or soap is not needed *Alcohol
Many Manufacturers indicate that hand sanitizers kill 99.99% of anti-bacterial germs
Experiment
Step 1- Retrieve a sample of the unwash hand
When taking the sample, the swab stick was placed around the fingers and palm of the hand.
Step 2- Place the sample in the dish
Zigzag form
Step 3- Place the hand sanitizer in the hand and massage the hand sanitizer until hands feel dry.
Step 4- Take a sample of the hand and
place in the dish.
(ZigZag Form)
Did the hand sanitizer work?
Not all bacteria are killed because some bacteria is needed in the human body. To fight off diseases.
*The results support the Hypothesis
Control= 3 species
Experiment= 1 species
66.6% of the control species reduced as resulted on the experimental
Studies that proved this experiment wrong
Manufacturers indicate ALL hand sanitizers kill 99.9% of bacteria (Purell)
Research indicates that 99.9% of harmful germs are killed ( these germs spread illnesses)