Tonya Nicole Smith |
SCHOOL: Alcorn State University
MAJOR: Nursing MENTOR: Dr. Alfred Mikell EXPECTED GRADUATION DATE: May 2002
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ABSTRACT
The Effect of Waterless Hand Sanitizers
On Medically Significant Bacteria
| The hand sanitizers Purell, Softsoap, and Merry Melon claim to kill 99.9% of all illness-causing germs within 15 seconds. The purpose of my research is to determine if these waterless sanitizers are capable of inhibiting or destroying the growth of medically significant bacteria. The bacteria tested in this experiment were Staphylococcus aureus, Esherichia coli, Serratia marcescens, and Bacillus cereus. Surprisingly, my results indicate that these hand sanitizers are not as effective as they claim to be. Overall, Purell proved to be the best hand sanitizer that inhibited microbial growth; although, it did not show significant results to prove that it kills, 99.9% of all illness-causing germs. Personally, I feel that instant hand sanitizers cannot take the place of old fashioned soap and water. |