I’m a flight attendant for a major US carrier and like most flight attendants, I go through Purell antibiotic hand sanitizer like it’s bottled water! Which got me thinking, you should feature a flight attendant in your next commercial. Or better yet, go cutting edge and create something around the laviators! Really, think about it. Oh and don’t forget to cast me as the flight attendant.
Sincerely,
Heather Poole
Before suggesting that you want to endorse Purell, you might want to consider a few basic facts.
There are two primary (and otherwise generic) active ingredients used in the manufacture of hand sanitizer products. One is the legacy, alcohol-based gel type. The other, is a non-alcohol formula that uses the antiseptic benzalkonium chloride (“BAC”). The latter is the same active ingredient found in dozens of health care/antiseptic products, ranging from Bactine antiseptic to most spermicidal foams.
Yes, Alcohol kills germs. It also kills protective skin cells, industrial floor wax, paint, and most fabrics and materials.
Alcohol does not penetrate dirt. Which is why Purell and other manufacturers recommend washing with soap and water before applying. That makes sense; wash with soap and water and then pour alcohol on to your skin so that your skin protective skin cells are destroyed.
Flammability risk. Yes, alcohol hand sanitizers are highly flammable. Not exactly the type of product that the airline industry would want to endorse.
Yes, the CDC has been telling people to use ‘alcohol hand sanitizer’ when washing with soap is not convenient.
Here’s a fact: On May 5, in the midst of the Swine Flu ‘crisis’, when Dr. Richard Besser, the recently displaced interim director of the CDC was pointedly questioned as to why CDC has not changed their recommendation since 1996, and has made little to no reference to non-alcohol formulas being equally effective, Dr. Besser stated “Thanks for bringing this to my attention. We have some internal communications that we’re working on.”
Yes, the email was directed to the undersigned. It was followed by an email from a CDC staffer saying that Dr. Besser had requested him to follow up and clarify the CDC’s position. It said
1. CDC does recommend alcohol-based hand sanitizer products.
2. CDC does not recommend products.
3. The inquiry pertaining to non-alcohol hand sanitizer formulas is ‘beyond the scope of the CDC Infection Control Desk.’
All despite the fact that several government agencies, including the GSA have prohibited alcohol-based sanitizers, as have more than 500 schools throughout the US and Canada. Oh..so has the United States Navy.
We know this because the entities described above are merely a sampling of those that have procured our company’s products on a completely unsolicited basis.
Why?
Because many alcohol-free hand sanitizer products are proven to be equally, and arguable more effective against a broad spectrum of pathogens when compared to alcohol-based products.
Because these products do not cause the skin to become dry/irritated
Because these products provide greater persitency. Alcohol stops working within seconds after applying.
Because these products can be safely applied to cuts/abrasions.
Because these products are non-toxic.
Because these products don’t damage floors, walls, clothing or jewelry.
Jay Berkman
MGS Brands, Inc.
d/b/a MGS Soapopular
2490 Black Rock Turnpike
Fairfield, Connecticut 06825
Dir.Tel. 203.255.0034
Fax: 866.434.7244
http://www.MGSmata.com
US Distributor: Soapopular brand, the #1 Alcohol-Free hand sanitizer http://www.soapyusa.com
Global License: Hy5 alcohol-free hand sanitizer
http://www.hy5sanitizer.com
GREAT BLOG: HandHygieneFacts
http://www.handhygienefacts.blogspot.com
Heather Poole 
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