Most people spend only a few seconds washing their hands. You must scrub at least thirty.

Rex, I'm not sure a study of these products "and their effect on the acquisition of contagious diseases by healthy people in their normal environments" would be the last word for purposes of this discussion. Isn't the issue here the use of these products by people when (and indeed because) they are not in their normal environments?

I haven't used these products, and have no anecdotal evidence to offer, but I think there's a possibility that they are not of much use in people's normal environments, but are of some use when people are unusually exposed to crowds and to unfamiliar pathogens.

Well, it certainly is an interesting point, jahoulih - - so, i would be satisfied with any study of &quot;effect on the acquisition of contagious diseases by healthy people in <i><b>a</b></i> normal environment&quot;

You might suppose that the Army would be quick to want to study this in new recruits - - a classic &quot;change of environment&quot; (and crowded, or at least it used to be) in which the incidence of infectious diseases is known to increase. If hand sanitizers could impact this, seems like the Army would be all over it.

Purell is nothing but 124 proof moonshine with a slug of glycerine added. Just buy the strongest vodka, wipe your hands with it and drink the rest. You might want to cut it a bit with something.

I kid you not. Right on the label:
62% ethyl alcohol -- straight corn likker to the moonshiners.

Now there's an idea! &quot;But really, officer, it's just hand sanitizer&quot;!

I am definately with Bob on this one. Apply the alcohol liberally via the oral route and I guarantee you will stop worrying about germs.

Nicol, MD

I disagree with Bob Brown. As a former Soviet Union citizen I say: don't waste vodka on hands, apply everything to your stomach lining.