As COVID-19 pandemic continues to persist, people are relying on disinfectants for an extra layer of protection against the virus. One of these is rubbing alcohol, which has been considered a necessity now anywhere we go. Most alcohol-based hand antiseptics contain either ethanol, isopropanol or a combination of these products. Alcohol is effective against the influenza virus. The World Health Organization (WHO) suggests that 70% ethyl alcohol is a powerful broad-spectrum germicide and is considered generally superior to isopropyl alcohol. However, both provide adequate germicidal properties.
The antimicrobial activity of alcohols results from their ability to denature proteins. Alcohols containing 60 to 80 percent alcohol are most effective, with higher concentrations being less potent (WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care). Ethyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol are the same actually when it comes to disinfectant properties. Ethanol is typically used in concentrations of 70 percent because higher concentrations evaporate too quickly and lower concentrations aren’t as effective. Isopropyl, on the other hand, evaporates at a similar rate and destroys bacterial and viral cells by the same mechanism. However, it is not as effective at dehydrating living tissue and so is a better solution for disinfecting skin than ethanol.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an experimental study revealed that ethyl alcohol-based products showed significant reductions of the tested surrogate for a non-enveloped human virus; however, activity was not superior to non-antimicrobial or tap water controls. In general, ethanol has greater activity against viruses than isopropanol. Proper hand hygiene is an important part of the response to COVID-19. Handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is essential, especially after going to the bathroom, before and eating, and after coughing, sneezing, or blowing one’s nose. In times when access to water and soap is unavailable, it is recommended to use hand rubbing alcohol to disinfect hands but make sure your hands are not visibly dirty as this can cause alcohol less effective from its intended use. Thus, make it a habit to wash and disinfect your hands regularly to keep you and your family safe and healthy.
-PNC-ZDN Rowence F. Zorilla
References:
1. Coping with Covid-19: The craze for disinfectants
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1113049
2. Use of disinfectants: alcohol and bleach
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK214356/
3. WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care (Advanced Draft)
https://www.who.int/patientsafety/information_centre/Last_April_versionHH_Guidelines%5B3%5D.pdf
4. Policy for Temporary Compounding of Certain Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer Products During the Public Health Emergency Immediately in Effect Guidance for Industry
https://www.fda.gov/media/136118/download
5. Ethyl or isopropyl alcohol?
https://journal.com.ph/lifestyle/health-and-wellness/ethyl-or-isopropyl-alcohol/