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Purell Safety

Generally considered safe, alcohol-based hand sanitizers like Purell are most often used when soap and water are unavailable. Detailed data provided by the manufacturer indicates no serious side effects from using Purell, which is largely alcohol-based. However, its high alcohol content has raised some concerns about the potential for substance abuse.

  1. Chemical Make-up

    • The material data sheet provided by Purell's manufacturers Go-Jo Industries indicates no cancer-causing agents in the product and lists its chemical composition as stable. Acute health hazards include possible headache, drowsiness, lassitude and loss of appetite following inhalation of more than 1,000 parts per million (PPM). The liquid or vapor may cause irritation to eyes or skin. The manufacturer also indicates ingestion of Purell may cause nausea, diarrhea, vomiting or depression of the central nervous system.

    Antibiotic Resistance

    • Although frequently confused with antibacterial soaps and products viewed as contributing to antibiotic resistant bacteria strains, Purell gets the thumbs-up from specialists like Susan Gerber, chief medical officer for the Chicago Department of Public Health. Gerber says hand gels like Purell contain alcohol, unlike antibacterial products known to contribute to antibiotic resistance."(Purell) has not been shown to have negative effects," she told Medill Reports Chicago in 2007.

    Purell and the Flu

    • Alcohol-based hand cleaners like Purell enjoyed a surge in popularity during the 2009-2010 H1N1 flu epidemic. Hand sanitizing dispensers popped up in public spaces and became a staple on store shelves. The product is generally viewed by the medical community as an effective and safe way to help combat the spread of germs. In addition to urging flu vaccinations and common sense practices like staying home when sick, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend using alcohol-based hand rubs like Purell when soap and water are unavailable.

    Wilderness Safety

    • Many wilderness campers consider waterless hand sanitizers a safe and effective way to cut down their ecological footprint. Princeton University's Outdoor Action program reports that while soap and water are effective cleaning agents, soap poses difficulties for those trying to minimize their impact on the natural environment. Most commercial soaps contain phosphates, an algae growth stimulant which often kills microorganisms, plants and fish. When water is in short supply, Purell fills the sanitation gap. Its ability to kill 99 percent of bacteria helps wilderness campers maintain a more consistent hygiene regimen, especially when in remote locations where water is in short supply but disinfection is required.

    Dangers

    • Although applauded for helping control the spread of infectious diseases, Purell's high alcohol content raises concerns for those who consider it a potential danger for substance abusers. In February 2007, Suzanne Doyon of the Maryland Poison Center co-authored a letter published in the New England Journal of Medicine. As reported in The Washington Post, Doyon described the widespread use of hand sanitizer as "fraught with a great deal of danger." A spokeswoman for Purell's manufacturers told the Washington Post that when used as directed, the product was both effective and safe.

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