Americans Get a “C” for
Hygiene
In the midst of cold and flu season, The Soap and Detergent Association
reports that consumers need to do a better job of when and how they
wash their hands.
SDA’s Clean Hands Report CardSM gives Americans a “C” for
hand hygiene, although many would give themselves a higher grade.
Survey says:
- 43% seldom or never wash their hands
after coughing or sneezing. One of the most common ways people
catch colds is by rubbing their nose or eyes after touching
someone or something contaminated with the cold virus.
- 32% don’t always wash before
eating lunch. That means germs that were on the change, door
handle, and elevator button might find their way onto the midday
turkey sandwich.
- 54% don’t wash their hands long
enough to effectively remove germs and dislodge dirt. The CDC and
SDA recommend washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Do as I Say, Not as I Do
According to the survey, 90% of Americans said they always washed
their hands after using the bathroom, while eight percent said
they frequently washed, and two percent said they seldom or never
washed. Apparently, there’s a major gap between what people
say and what they do. A 2003 observational study by the American
Society for Microbiology found that one third of public restroom
users did not wash their hands.
When to Wash
“More Americans should know that their health is literally
in their hands. Handwashing is critical in these key instances,”
- when preparing food
- before meals and snacks
- after using the restroom
- after touching animals
- when hands are dirty
- when you or someone around you
is ill
Hygiene Tools at Hand
When soap and water aren’t available, instant hand sanitizers,
gels, and foams are effective in killing germs on hands. Disposable
hand wipes are another alternative for people with active lifestyles.
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