Handwashing Awareness Week is a good time to reflect on how our hand hygiene habits have changed since the pandemic began. You may have been negligent about keeping your hands clean pre-pandemic, but one of many things the pandemic has taught us is the importance of hand hygiene and infection prevention best practices. Experts globally, from the World Health Organization (WHO) to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), strongly agree that promoting – and practicing – good hand hygiene is an incredibly effective way to wash away or kill germs that may cause illness. Even after this pandemic passes, we should all continue practicing proper hand hygiene.
What has changed with hand hygiene?
Unfortunately, microbes that cause human illness will continue to evolve and pose a threat to human health. It’s important we remain vigilant about cleaning our hands frequently throughout the day at key moments, using proper form, making sure to spend at least 20 seconds rubbing.
According to a survey by the American Cleaning Institute (ACI) conducted in March 2020 and again in September 2021, 93% of those surveyed said they are more likely to continue their hand hygiene habits in the coming months than any other health measures, including wearing a mask or social distancing. While those habits will continue, ACI says their survey also shows a 19% decline in frequent handwashing now, compared to the start of the pandemic.
The PURELL® brand has done research over the course of the pandemic to track when and how often people are using hand sanitizer. That research shows that more people are relying on hand sanitizer when they are out in public. In fact, 84% of people expect hand sanitizer to be offered in public places. We've found that brand matters too, after a year of experiencing poor-performing hand sanitizers. 77% of people in that same survey expect that hand sanitizer being offered to be the PURELL® brand.1
We've also found that many plan to keep up their use of hand sanitizer post-pandemic. While nearly 3 in 10 people surveyed used hand sanitizer at least three days per week pre-pandemic, nearly 7 in 10 expect to use at least three days per week post-pandemic.2
After all the startling news headlines, is hand sanitizer safe?
Hand sanitizer has become a daily essential for many Americans when they're out in public. But there have been many concerning news headlines over the past year and a half that may have confused consumers – perhaps making some wary of using hand sanitizer.
The FDA has warned of hand sanitizer brands containing dangerous impurities or not containing enough ethyl alcohol to be effective. In total, the FDA has more than 250 brands of hand sanitizer on their ever-evolving do-not-use list, 3 including an import ban of any sanitizers from Mexico.
The FDA recently responded to these ongoing concerns by removing its temporary guidance on the manufacture and distribution of emergency response alcohol-based hand sanitizer by non-drug manufacturers. 4 That guidance was put in place when consumer supply was constrained. Consumers no longer have an issue finding their favorite brand of hand sanitizer on store shelves, as major suppliers of hand sanitizer – like the PURELL® brand – have significantly increased their production. After Dec. 31, 2021, non-drug manufacturers may no longer produce alcohol-based hand sanitizer, and firms may no longer distribute hand sanitizer produced under this guidance after March 31, 2022.
Is it safe to refill dispensers and bottles in public settings?
As a market and thought leader in the industry, we think the withdrawal of the Temporary Guidance is a good first step to ensure that only safe and effective hand sanitizer products are in the marketplace. There is more work to be done, though, as we continue to see dangerous dispenser practices that arose early in the pandemic continue.
"Bulk" quantities of hand sanitizer being poured into an empty bottle or an open refillable dispenser is a dangerous practice that presents significant risks to public health and safety. This practice can impact product efficacy due to alcohol evaporation, is highly subject to human error, and poses a significant risk to public health and safety due to mixing different formulations and lack of labeling. Read our blog "Understanding the Risks Associated with Hand Sanitizer Refilling" for more on this topic.
Not all hand sanitizers and hand wash products are the same
Since we began developing hand wash products 75 years ago and subsequently invented PURELL® hand sanitizer 33 years ago, we have found that formulation is essential when it comes to soaps and alcohol-based hand sanitizers. (For more on why, read our Chief Innovation Officer's blog post on this, "Formulation Counts: Not All Hand Sanitizer is the Same.") GOJO scientists carefully select a minimum number of ingredients that are perfectly balanced to work in harmony. This ensures our PURELL® hand sanitizers not only kill germs, but also maintain or improve skin health, and deliver an experience that is pleasing to the senses. Every bottle of PURELL® brand Hand Sanitizer is only made of high-quality ingredients, is manufactured according to strict FDA safety and regulatory standards, and has passed rigorous testing to ensure it is safe and effective.
Forming healthy hand hygiene habits
Don't give up on healthy hand hygiene habits as the pandemic passes – they have been part of your normal routine long enough that they should be ingrained in your daily habits, like brushing your teeth. The science of hand hygiene is rock solid – cleaning your hands effectively at key moments works! Get in the habit of carrying hand sanitizer with you when you're on the go – and use it at key risk moments, such as when you enter and exit a store, after touching public surfaces, just before eating at a restaurant, or after pumping gas.
For more hand hygiene education and fun facts, please read my previous blogs: "When to Use Soap vs. Hand Sanitizer" and "Healthy Hand Habits for Everyday Life at Home."