No Alcohol Based Hand Sanitizers in S.D. 57 Schools
By 250 News
Friday, October 09, 2009 03:59 AM
Prince George, B.C.- Parents should not have any concerns about alcohol based hand sanitizers being used in School District 57 Schools to help prevent the spread of flu germs.
“Our schools do not use alcohol based hand sanitizers” says Superintendent Brian Pepper. “The information on the Provincial website (about H1N1) speaks to the effectiveness of just soap and water, so that’s been our thrust, the importance of soap and water and appropriate hand washing.”
The concerns were raised following the re-surfacing of a story about an American child who licked the fruit scented sanitizer from her own hand, and ended up in hospital because the alcohol content in the sanitizer was the equivalent of overproof booze. ( click here for previous CBC story )
Pepper says any hand sanitizers which have been used in schools in the past are non alcohol based.
Such is not the case at Northern Health facilities, where they do use alcohol based hand sanitizers. Northern Health Director of Communications, Steve Raper, says there are three types in use in Northern Health facilities:
Laura Line, which has an isopropyl alcohol concentration of 62%. Isopropyl alcohol is listed as a flammable substance. The material safety data sheet on the product says “keep away from children” and further states “give several glasses of water, induce vomiting, call physician immediately.”
Microsan Foaming Alcohol Handrub: This product has an ethyl alcohol concentration of 60-70%, is considered a flammable liquid and if ingested the “give large amounts of water, DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. Contact Physician immediately.”
One Step Gel Pocket Size – 62% alcohol although it is not clear if this isopropyl alcohol , or ethyl alcohol and further information was not immediately available.
Raper says while there are hand sanitizing “stations” throughout Northern Health facilities, there are special procedures in place in areas where there are special patients such as children or those with dementia, who may not use the sanitizers appropriately “In those types of areas, the sanitizers will be locked away to reduce the opportunity for abuse or accidental ingestion”
Raper says Northern Health is switching over to a sanitizing foam “We are conscious about the high alcohol content, but it ( the use of sanitizers) is part of our infection control practices to minimize the risk of spreading infection.”
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Posted by: Outwest on October 9 2009 8:32 AM