Study: hand washing the best germ-fighter

March 12, 2005
Associated Press

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- A new study by infection control specialists at UNC Hospitals was cited as confirming that the best way to get germs off your hands is with plain old soap and water.

The story explains that researchers tested 14 hand hygiene agents plus tap water against specific bacteria and viruses applied to the hands of 62 adult volunteers. Soap and water, or microbial soap and water, proved the most effective at removing viruses and bacteria.

Emily Sickbert-Bennett, a public health epidemiologist with the UNC Health Care System and the UNC School of Public Health and lead author of the study, conducted as part of her UNC public health master's degree work from 2000 to 2002 and published in the March issue of the American Journal of Infection Control, was quoted as saying, "Based on these findings, I'd put my hands in my mouth after routine sink washing for 10 seconds."

Dr. Jeffrey Engel, state epidemiologist, was quoted as saying, "The hand gels have basically really found their place in hospitals. Hand gels in hospitals are always accompanied with a hand-washing policy."

But he said hand gels are less effective if hands are visibly soiled, such as when children became violently sick by a strain of E. coli bacteria linked to a petting zoo at the State Fair in the fall. A Department of Agriculture task force is reviewing petting zoo sanitation policies.