Following the multiple side-effects associated with the use of alcohol-based hand sanitisers and some liquid soaps due to the “unsafe” active agents in them, the habitual use of alcohol-based hand sanitisers must be deliberately avoided, experts said. They declared that when the use of alcohol-based hand sanitiser (ABHS) is unavoidable, users should ensure the use of low concentration alcohol at an average of 60 to 70 per cent as higher concentrations could be more deleterious. The expert, who asked that alcohol-based hand sanitiser should be kept far away from heat, flame, spark-source or any oxidizing agents to avoid fire incidence since they are flammable, urged that children should not be allowed direct access to alcohol-based hand sanitiser as the fatality of accidental ingestion in children is worse and incidences are on the rise. In the case of liquid soaps, they advised that soaps with triclosan or triclocarban and other questionable safety profile should be avoided. In addition, general cleanliness and good hygiene is imperative to keep microbial infections at bay, even as consistent tidiness will minimise the need for repetitive use of liquid soaps and ABHS.

Source: Nigerian Tribune July 23, 2020 01:41 UTC