Is Dettol an Alcohol-Based Sanitizer? Debunking the Facts with Scientific Evidence
Dettol is renowned for its powerful sanitizing capabilities, but does it indeed contain alcohol? Let's dive into the details and explore with scientific backing.
What Does Dettol Contain?
Dettol hand sanitizer is undoubtedly alcohol-based, specifically using BP Grade alcohol for killing germs effectively. This ethanol content is crucial in its formula to ensure the eradication of bacteria and viruses.
Key Ingredients:
Denatured Alcohol- 69.4 w/w: This is the primary active ingredient for sanitization. Water PEG/PPG-17/6 copolymer Propylene glycol Acrylate /C10-30 alkyl acrylate cross polymer Tetrahydroxpropyl ethylenediamine Perfume Colouring AgentScientific Evidence: Antimicrobial Efficacy of Dettol
Scientific studies often back the claims of sanitizers. A comprehensive study was conducted to assess the antimicrobial efficacy of Dettol against multiple pathogens. The study focused on evaluating the effectiveness of Dettol alongside other sanitizers like Lifebuoy PureHands and Sterillium against several bacteria and fungi.
Methods:
The study employed an in vitro approach using the well-variant of agar disk diffusion test with Mueller-Hinton agar. The bacterial suspensions were adjusted to a McFarland 0.5 turbidity standard for uniformity. Each of the four wells were introduced with 50 microliters of the respective hand sanitizer, while the fifth well contained sterile water as a control. The plates were incubated for 24 hours at 37°C. Zone of inhibition was measured using a digital caliper to determine antimicrobial effectiveness.Results: Dettol's Efficacy Explained
Without delving much into the jargon, Dettol with its 70% ethanol content and other components like polyethylene glycol, tetrahydroxpropyl ethylenediamine, and pleasing coloration, effectively demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity. The 70% ethanol content is consistent with expert advice, which suggests a minimum of 60% alcohol is necessary in hand sanitizers to kill germs effectively.
Conclusion:
Dettol, indeed, is an alcohol-based sanitizer with a robust active ingredient content, backed by scientific validation. Its efficacy has been consistently proven against various pathogens, making it a reliable choice for maintaining hygiene.