Hand Sanitizer Green

One of the most popular ways to clean up when soap and water isn't available is with hand sanitizer. Be warned that not all hand sanitizers are created equal and there are a number of health risks associated with certain kinds of hand sanitizers.

In fact, a popular antibacterial ingredient, triclosan, has been found to be a hormone disruptor as well as a possible carcinogen when exposed to chlorine (think public pools). In fact, the American Public Health Association proposed a policy to ban the ingredient in 2009. Such concerns are valid and it's an ingredient to avoid when choosing a hand sanitizer.

The next most popular ingredient is an alcohol based sanitizer. In order to be effective, there must be a 60% concentration of alcohol in the sanitizer. This can lead to excessively dry skin and actually has also caused intoxication in small children, who may lick their hands after application. A popular email warning regarding the dangers of alcohol based hand sanitizers has been confirmed on Snopes.com and Clinical Pediatrics warns against alcohol based hand sanitizers.

New England Journal of Medicine:

Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are widely used in the United States as low-viscosity rinses, gels, or foams. They contain 60 to 95% ethanol or isopropanol. Ethanol has greater activity against viruses than does isopropanol, and the ethanol-based formulations are used much more commonly in the United States than are the isopropanol-based formulations. Many of the ethanol-based sanitizers also contain small amounts of polyethylene glycol or isopropanol.

Prefense has an active ingredient of benzalkonium chloride, which has been used as a disinfectant in hospitals for years.  It can be allergenic in people with eczema or skin conditions, but is generally considered safe for topical use. While benzalkonium chloride is toxic when ingested, the dilution is .12%,  a small percentage of one-percent. Prefense works by creating a germ barrier on the skin with a silica-based, non drying, formula.

We took Prefense with us on a family vacation, where we spent hours away from soap and water, but still exposed to germs and bacteria in crowded airports, amusement parks and restaurants. A peace of mind pump of Prefense was perfect for such moments. The travel size bottle of 1.5 ounces is small enough to keep in a bag and still go through airport screenings.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) warns that overuse of antibacterial products can create "mega-resistant" strains of bacteria, leading to a greater resistance to antibiotics, as one side effect. While Our Daily Green suggests soap and water as a first defense against germs, we also recommend Prefense as the next line of defense when soap and water is not available.

Just in time to kick off summer fun, Our Daily Green has teamed up with Prefense to offer a lucky reader an 8 ounce bottle of Prefense. To qualify for the giveaway, you must leave a comment on THIS post. For an additional entries, follow the Prefense Facebook page, the Prefense Twitter page, and Our Daily Green's Facebook page. When you follow Prefense, please tell them you found their page from Our Daily Green. Leave a comment for each entry. Good luck! All entries must be received by May 31, 2011 at midnight EST. The winner will be drawn by random number generator June 1, 2011.


Our Daily Green received a 1.5 ounce sample of prefense hand sanitizer for free using Tomoson.com created by WebBizIdeas, a Minneapolis SEO and Web Design firm. Regardless, we only recommend products or services we use personally and believe will be good for my readers. Our Daily Green is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson product review & giveaway disclosure.

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