How effective are different hand sanitizer formulations for hand washing?

Benzalkonium chloride hand sanitizer is more effective than ethanol-based hand sanitizer, according to research published in the American Journal of Infection Control.

The efficacy of benzalkonium chloride hand sanitizer and ethanol-based hand sanitizer was compared by measuring persistence of staphylococcus aureus four hours after application.

The key details to know:

1. Benzalkonium chloride hand sanitizer was associated with a reduction in colony-forming units at three different time points.

2. Ethanol hand sanitizer was significantly less effective.

3. Researchers concluded, "These results show a major improvement in persistent antibacterial activity for the benzalkonium chloride formulation compared to the comparator ethanol-based formulation."

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