• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.275-285
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• 2020

The aims of this study was to examine the effect on the hand disinfection performance, the performance rate, and the satisfaction with the use of the belt-type hand sanitizers in clinical nurses. The study is a one group pre-post test quasi-experimental design. Effectiveness of using the belt-type hand sanitizers was measured with a self-reporting questionnaire. As a result, the performance of hand disinfection and the performance rate were significantly higher after using the belt-type hand sanitizers, and also, the satisfaction with the use of the belt-type hand sanitizers was significantly high. The belt-type hand sanitizer is effective method to improve both hand disinfection performance and its performance rate. Therefore, if the belt-type hand sanitizer is used in clinical practice, it may contribute to the improving the hand disinfection performance and its performance rate.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.702-709
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• 2020

Objectives: Hand sanitizer is made with ethyl alcohol as the main ingredient. Problems related to the use of hand sanitizers and cases of harm caused by the use of hand sanitizers are occurring. This study investigated the usage behavior and recognition level of people using hand sanitizer and identified the chemical components listed in the component label of hand sanitizer. In addition, the methanol and isopropanol contained in hand sanitizer were quantified using HS-GC-MSD. Methods: The investigation of the behavior and recognition of hand sanitizer usage was conducted through a survey of 143 college students and adults. The components marked on 34 types of hand sanitizers were investigated, and methanol and isopropanol concentrations were analyzed using the HS-GC-MSD method. Results: According to the survey, 57% of respondents use hand sanitizers two to three times per day, 92.3% of them do so when in public places and 41.3% of them do so at home. Ethanol, purified water, carbomer, glycerin, and triethanolamine were the ingredients listed in the hand sanitizer. Among the 34 samples, methanol and isopropyl alcohol were detected in 33 samples, the concentration range for methanol was ND-567 ppm, and the concentration range of isopropyl alcohol was ND-2121 ppm. Conclusion: The results of this study have shown that hand sanitizers are being used constantly every day, and methanol, which is not included in the marked content, was detected in a significant concentration compared to wet tissue. It has been found that maintenance of hand sanitizer manufacturing standards and training on how to use them are needed.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2023

Skin sanitizers are effective in killing or removing pathogenic microbial contaminants from the skin of food handlers, and the progressive growth of consumer interest in personal hygiene tends to drive product diversification. This review covers the advances in the application of efficacy tests for hand sanitizers to suggest future perspectives to establish an assessment system that is optimized to each product type (gel, liquid, and wipes). Previous research on the in vivo simulative test of actual consumer use has adopted diverse experimental conditions regardless of the product type. This highlights the importance of establishing optimal test protocols specialized for the compositional characteristics of sanitizers through the comparative analysis of test methods. Although the operational conditions of the mechanical actions associated with wiping can affect the efficacy of the removal and/or the inactivation of target microorganisms from the skin's surface, currently there is a lack of standardized use patterns for the exposure of hand sanitizing wipes to skin. Thus, major determinants affecting the results from each step of the overall assessment procedures [pre-treatment - exposure of sanitizers - microbial recovery] should be identified to modify current protocols and develop novel test methods. The ex vivo test, designed to overcome the limited reproducibility of in vivo human trials, is also expected to replicate the environment for the contact of sanitizers targeting skin microorganisms. Recent progress in the area of skin microbiome research revealed distinct microbial characteristics and distribution patterns after the application of sanitizers on hands to establish the test methods with the perspectives on the antimicrobial effects at the community level. The future perspectives presented in this study on the improvement of efficacy test methods for hand sanitizers can also contribute to public health and food safety through the commercialization of effective sanitizer products.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.773-781
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• 2024

This study attempted to minimize the risk of hospital infection by ultrasonic gel by using hand sanitizer with microorganism removal effect as an ultrasonic propagation medium. As a research method, Near field group, Vertical distance, and Horizontal distance evaluations were conducted using various probe covers on Samsung Medison's R7 ultrasonic equipment, and through grayscale evaluation, we tried to find the ethanol content of the hand sanitizer that can obtain an image that is most similar to the grayscale level of the ultrasonic gel. As a result of analysis using the Image J program, the combination of Latex cover and 70% ethanol gel was the best in terms of image quality, and this combination is thought to provide an effect of preventing infection while maintaining image quality similar to that of using ultrasonic gel.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.51-56
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• 2022

Background: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic increased awareness regarding the importance of hand hygiene in infection prevention. Although social distancing and vaccination are the strongest ways to prevent infection, personal hand hygiene is the most basic and easiest way to maintain public health. However, in addition to hand washing using running water, sanitizing tissues, and disinfection products are convenient for hand hygiene, especially outdoors. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the appropriateness of individual hand hygiene methods. In this study, we investigated the degree of hand hygiene offered by various hygiene products and hand drying methods for maintaining hand hygiene. Methods: An LED UV light kit was used for fluorescent observation of hand contamination. Bacteria from the hands were cultured to compare the degree of hand hygiene offered by various hygiene products. Bacteria were cultured in a hand-shaped medium dish to identify areas vulnerable to hand hygiene. Moreover, the degree of hand hygiene was observed according to the drying method using bacterial cultures. Results: We confirmed that hand washing under running water with antibacterial soap, sanitizing with alcohol gel disinfectant, and wiping with antibacterial wet wipes was effective for hand hygiene compared to washing under running water alone. However, for all hygiene products, a large number of bacteria were detected on the fingertips. We verified that natural drying, rather than rubbing, is effective in maintaining hand hygiene. Conclusion: These results suggest that hand hygiene products and drying methods are critical in hand hygiene management. Therefore, these results provide a basis for determining whether an individual's hand hygiene management method is appropriate.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.34-39
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• 2023

Objectives: In this study, the safety of alcohol-based hand sanitizers (ABHSs) for quasi-drugs and cosmetics was investigated by analyzing the ethanol content, which is an active ingredient with a sterilizing effect, and methanol, which is toxic. Methods: Forty-one ABHSs were purchased at large supermarkets and online stores. Ethanol quantification was performed by gas chromatography-flame ionization detector, and methanol quantification was performed by headspace-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results: The ethanol content of ABHS in quasi-drugs was 49.6-67.8%, which was suitable for standard manufacturing procedures for external disinfectants, and the ethanol content of ABHS in cosmetics was 9.1-61.3%. The methanol content of ABHS in quasi-drugs ranged from not detected(N.D.)-131.8 ppm, which was suitable for the methanol detection standard of ethanol raw materials in the Korean Pharmacopoeia. The methanol content of ABHS in cosmetics was 23.4-859.7 ppm, which was suitable for the detection limit of methanol in cosmetics. Conclusions: The ethanol and methanol content of ABHS was judged to be safe. When selecting an ABHS to be used for sterilization, it seems necessary to check the content of ethanol, an active ingredient, and use it according to its intended purpose.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.35-43
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• 2024

Numerous methods have been applied to assess the antibacterial effectiveness of hand hygiene products. However, the different results obtained through various evaluation methods have complicated our understanding of the real efficacy of the products. Few studies have compared test methods for assessing the efficacy of hand hygiene products. In particular, reports on ex vivo pig skin testing are limited. This study aimed to compare and characterize the methodologies applied for evaluating hand hygiene products, involving in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo approaches, applicable to both leave-on sanitizers and wash-off products. Our further aim was to enhance the reliability of ex vivo test protocols by identifying influential factors. We performed an in vitro method (EN1276) and an in vivo test (EN1499 and ASTM2755) with at least 20 participants, against Serratia marcescens or Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. For the ex vivo experiment, we used pig skin squares prepared in the same way as those used in the in vivo test method and determined the optimal treated sample volumes for sanitizers and the amount of water required to wash off the product. The hand sanitizers showed at least a 5-log reduction in bacterial load in the in vitro test, while they showed little antibacterial activity in the in vivo and ex vivo tests, particularly those with a low alcohol content. For the hand wash products, the in vitro test was limited because of bubble formation or the high viscosity of the products and it showed low antibacterial activity of less than a 1-log reduction against E. coli. In contrast, significantly higher log reductions were observed in ex vivo and in vivo tests, consistently demonstrating these results across the two methods. Our findings revealed that the ex vivo and in vivo tests reflect the two different antibacterial mechanisms of leave-on and wash-off products. Our proposed optimized ex vivo test was more rapid and more precise than the in vitro test to evaluate antibacterial results.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.129-138
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• 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant surge in glove usage, as recommended by the World Health Organization. Despite efforts to ensure the quality and safety of gloves, glove-associated skin diseases such as hand dermatitis have become ubiquitous, particularly among health care workers. This review discusses the prevalence, causes, and risk factors of hand dermatitis, as well as research efforts in medical gloves in the past decade to overcome glove-related hand dermatitis. Research papers from 2013 to 2022 were reviewed, selecting only 49 relevant papers from the Ovid, PubMed, and Scopus databases. The average prevalence of hand dermatitis among health care workers increased from 21.08% to 37.24% upon the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The cases are likely due to allergies to latex proteins, rubber additives, and accelerators commonly found in gloves. Using alternatives to latex gloves, such as accelerator-free and latex-free glove options, can help reduce allergy-induced hand dermatitis. Strict hand hygiene practices, such as frequent hand washing and the use of sanitizers, are also contributing factors in contracting hand dermatitis. Over the past decade, glove research advancements have focused mainly on reducing or immobilizing latex proteins. These include the use of biodegradable dialdehyde, sodium alginate, arctigenin, bromelain, papain, UV-LED, prototype photoreactors, and structure-modified nanosilica with silane A174. Two effective hand dermatitis preventive measures, i.e. an additional layer of glove liners and the use of gentle alcohol-based hand sanitizer, were recommended. These advancements represent promising steps towards mitigating hand dermatitis risks associated with glove usage.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.1659-1668
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• 2020

The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of the application of hand washing education program for the children with intellectual disability on hand washing frequency and methods during COVID-19 Pandemic. Subjects were 14 children with intellectual disability and they participated in the program using visual video materials. Hand washing education program was consisted of introduction, theory education, and practice and it performed 2 times a week, total 16 sessions during 8 weeks. Hand washing theory education was consisted about the importance and application of hand washing, proper hand washing steps and methods, use of hand washing tools, use of hand sanitizers including characteristics, and prevention of skin damage from hand washing. Hand washing assessment was used by hand washing frequence and methods observation report. Hand washing frequency was measured by the hand washing frequency during the daily routine and it was analyzed by the items divided into day and month units. Hand washing methods was measured by the items divided into use of hand washing tools, time, areas, drying methods after hand washing. As the results, after hand washing education program, the hand washing frequence was increased and hand washing methods were improved. Hand washing is much important as a active method to prevent the infection during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Thus, based on this findings, the application of hand washing education program should be considered to increase the hand washing frequency and improve the hand washing methods of the children with intellectual disability.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.247-258
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• 2017

Objectives: This study was conducted to identify the correlation between belief in hand hygiene, activities and related hand hygiene performance rates among dental staff. Methods: This study was based on the evaluation of 329 dental practitioners, including dental hygienists who work at dental clinics, dental hospitals, general and university dental hospitals in Seoul, Gyeonggi-do Province, and Incheon. The questionnaire consisted of a total of 46 questions, including 7 questions on general characteristics, and 25 questions on hand hygiene beliefs, and 5 questions on hand hygiene activities, and 9 questions on hand hygiene practices. This study used 291 subjects for the final analysis, excluding subjects who had provided incomplete or inappropriate responses to the questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using an independent t-test, ANOVA, $x^2$ test, correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression analysis, where p-values of <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: Longer clinical career was associated with a significant increase in behavior and norm beliefs, but no sequential difference in control beliefs. The hand hygiene performance was higher in staff at larger hospitals after contact with pollutants and contaminated environments. Higher age was associated with a significant increase in hand hygiene performance rates, but profession was not statistically significant in the performance rate of hand hygiene. The hand hygiene performance rate was ranked higher among those with average work hours per week of greater than 8 hours followed by those who worked fewer than 8 hours. Fewer work hours per week, a stronger belief in hand hygiene, less frequent exposure to contaminated environments, and a greater number of hand hygiene performance had a positive effect on higher hand hygiene performance rates. Conclusions: In order to increase the hand hygiene performance rate of dental practitioners, it is considered that required time for hand washing should be ensured sufficiently. Proper usage of hand sanitizers should also be promoted efficiently.