Description
Alcohol-based hand sanitizers contain varying amounts and types of alcohol, often between 60 percent and 95 percent and usually isopropyl alcohol, ethanol (ethyl alcohol) or n-propanol. Alcohol is known to be able to
kill most germs.
Not only are alcohol-based hand sanitizers
found to be effective at
killing many types of bacteria, including MRSA and
E coli, they’re also effective against many viruses, including the
influenza A virus,
rhinovirus,
hepatitis A virus,
HIV, and
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV).
Alcohol attacks and destroys the envelope protein that surrounds some viruses, including coronaviruses. This protein is vital for a virus’s survival and multiplication. But a hand sanitizer needs to be at least 60% alcohol in order to
kill most viruses.
