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Hand sanitizers often contain either isopropyl alcohol or ethyl alcohol. But which one is more effective? Vectorios2016/Getty ImagesHandwashing with soap and water remains the most effective method to eliminate and wash away bacteria and viruses. However, access to a sink isn't always guaranteed. In such situations, a compact bottle of hand sanitizer proves to be incredibly useful. It's portable, convenient, and highly efficient!
During the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. faced a hand sanitizer shortage. Fortunately, distilleries had ample alcohol supplies. They shifted their production to create hand sanitizer bottles, addressing the demand and restocking the nearly empty store shelves.
Is the alcohol in whiskey or vodka identical to that in standard hand sanitizer? The quick response is not quite, but it's acceptable. Here's the explanation.
Ethyl vs. Isopropyl Alcohol
Most hand sanitizers contain isopropyl alcohol, also known as isopropanol, 2-propanol, or simply rubbing alcohol. You might find a bottle of it stored beneath your bathroom sink. Consuming this substance will not result in intoxication but will instead make you ill.
The consumable form of alcohol is ethanol, referred to as ethyl alcohol or grain alcohol. You likely have a bottle of this in your liquor cabinet, as it's the type found in spirits distilled from grains, such as whiskey. While this type can induce intoxication, the ethanol in hand sanitizer is denatured, making it unsafe for consumption and likely to cause severe illness.
Although these two alcohols share similar chemical structures, their differences are significant enough to render one safe for drinking and the other hazardous. However, in hand sanitizers, they function identically: both disrupt the proteins and lipids in viruses and bacteria, effectively killing these pathogens. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises using a solution of 65 to 95 percent alcohol, whether ethyl or isopropyl, in hand sanitizers for optimal effectiveness.
Die Germs, Die!
If a small amount of alcohol effectively kills germs, wouldn't a higher concentration be even better? Why settle for 65 or 70 percent alcohol when 100 percent seems ideal? Surprisingly, pure alcohol is less effective at eliminating harmful pathogens.
When alcohol attacks bacteria, the damage to the cell can trigger the formation of a protective barrier by the bacteria. This is problematic. While viruses don't create such barriers, high alcohol concentrations evaporate too quickly, potentially before penetrating the virus's outer layer. This is equally problematic.
Incorporating water, which evaporates slower than alcohol, allows the alcohol to remain on your hands longer. Including additional components like hydrogen peroxide and glycerol enhances the solution's effectiveness.
Evaporation also affects comfort. Ethanol tends to be more drying, which can leave skin feeling tight and parched. Isopropyl alcohol evaporates faster but is less harsh on the skin. (This rapid evaporation is why it's preferred for cleaning electronics.)
In the 1920s, isopropyl alcohol became widely known as "rubbing alcohol" due to its use in medicinal liniments applied to the skin for therapeutic purposes. This period coincided with Prohibition, necessitating a distinction between this "beneficial" alcohol and the "harmful" ethanol alcohol, which was outlawed under the 18th Amendment.
