For labs, it is mandatory to have hand sanitizers. Even before the introduction of covid, labs were frequently using these alcohol-based products to fight off any hazards the employees may be subject to. Â
With so much information on the internet about the pros and cons of different sanitizers, it becomes a bit of a challenge to choose between alcohol and non-alcohol-based hand sanitizers. When it comes to the use of hand sanitizers, alcohol-free varieties have been gaining much recognition over the past few years.Â
A hand sanitizer is unlike other lab equipment, such as filter tips, cryogenic plates and PCR sealing films, but it is also an important element in labs.Â
A lab administration should take all measures to ensure that the lab employees remain physically fit for the work. That is also why MBP Inc has stocked up on quality non-alcohol hand sanitizers for optimal safety and protection of lab technicians.Â
Pros of Using Alcohol-Free Hand Sanitizers in a Lab Setting
Here are some advantages of alcohol-free hand sanitizers. When your lab employees switch to this alternative, they will not only achieve better skin health, as well as optimal protection.
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They Are Water-Based
The majority of non-alcohol hand sanitizers on the market today come as liquid foaming varieties. The active component of hand sanitizers without alcohol is Benzalkonium Chloride and quaternary ammonium. Contrary to alcohol-based solutions, alcohol-free hand sanitizers frequently have a Benzalkonium content of less than 0.1%.Â
The same amount of protection is still offered by hand sanitizers without alcohol. Water makes up the majority of the remaining solution, which is occasionally supplemented with skin-conditioning agents like vitamin E and green tea extract. It is non-flammable and has fairly low Benzalkonium concentrations, making it generally non-toxic. Nevertheless, solely exterior usage is advised for each of these products.
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Reduced Hazard Risks
Hand sanitizers without alcohol were released in the market to solve the issues frequently seen with gel-based hand sanitizers. They have been successful in various ways. These alcohol sanitizer alternatives are much gentler on the hands. Additionally, they present significantly less of a risk in circumstances of unintentional consumption. Alcohol-free hand sanitizers pose a little fire risk and cause no surface damage.Â
The optimal germ protection is another obvious advantage. Benzalkonium-based treatments continue to offer protection even after the solution has dried, but alcohol-based products lose their capacity to destroy bacteria once they have solidified on the skin.
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Effectively Kills Germs
The efficiency of an alcohol-free hand sanitizer in bacterial destruction is relatively similar to alcohol-based sanitizers. By assessing your environment, financial constraints, and personal preferences, you can choose the best product for your laboratory.
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Lower Costs
Budget-wise, alcohol-free hand sanitizers are more cost-effective and offer more applications in one gallon. Even though a gallon of alcohol-free and alcohol-based sanitizers can be the same price, the former typically offer 2,000 to 3,000 more applications.Â
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Gentle on the Hands
Non-alcohol sanitizers, as the name suggests, do not contain alcohol. In a lab setting, employees have to apply sanitizers frequently because they are constantly in contact with potentially hazardous samples and chemicals. In such a case, a gentle and chemically safe product for germ elimination is ideal.Â
An alcohol-free sanitizer maintains skin health even when used multiple times a day. While transferring liquids through a pipettor or screwing hamilton 300 ul conductive filter tips on a pipette, your hands might come in contact with a harmful component of the sample. An alcohol-free sanitizer can be applied in such a case to effectively remove the contaminant and stay protected.Â
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Non-flammable
The possibility of purposeful or unintentional misuse or injury when using alcohol-based sanitizers is one of the most concerning aspects of such products. Due to ignorance of the risks when used near open flames, alcohol sanitizers have occasionally caused burns in several instances.Â
Takeaway:
Despite offering so many advantages, alcohol-free hand sanitizers haven’t taken off in the health industry. Many professionals in the sector believe that alcohol-based gels are a more reliable solution because they are still preferred by health organizations.
Even though the germ-killing profile of alcohol-based hand sanitizers is more impressive, in certain settings, its non-alcoholic alternative is a more suitable option. Labs particularly should stock up on alcohol-free hand sanitizers as this is one of the most frequently used products in such facilities.Â
If your lab is short of sanitizers or you are looking for a bulk supplier of lab equipment, MBP INC is here to help. We have a whole range of lab equipment suitable for lab applications. You can buy 300 ul conductive filter tips hamilton, serological pipettes, centrifuge tubes as well as alcohol-free hand sanitizers from us!