Many people and institutions use disinfectants to protect themselves from the corona virus. However, the Hamburg environmental institute sees this critically – and warns of questionable ingredients.
No matter whether in the drugstore, in the supermarket or in the pharmacy: disinfectants have often been sold out since the beginning of the Corona crisis. The agent is used to disinfect hands, but also door handles or other surfaces. However, the Hamburg environmental institute advises from itTo use disinfectants outside of medical facilities.
“On the one hand, many of the ingredients in disinfectants are harmful to health (e.g. carcinogenic, sensitizing, allergy-causing, lung, liver and nerve damage)”, writes the environmental institute. The substances can be inhaled or absorbed through the skin.
Resistance to germs and dry skin
(Utopia / lw)
For example, isopropanol is more toxic than normal drinking alcohol. Isopropanol is a monohydric alcohol that is found in many disinfectants. “Aldehydes and ketones, as well as additional process chemicals and fragrances, pose a considerable health risk.” Another problem: With frequent use of disinfectants, germs can develop resistance. The remedy is then ineffective against such germs.
In addition, disinfectants harm the skin flora. “With the skin dried out, there is a much higher risk of rubbing the painful hands on the face and thus transmitting even more germs.” Hand cream could exacerbate the problem, since the coronavirus is enveloped in a fat membrane. The cream would hold the fatty outside “downright active”.
No disinfectant at home
Disinfectants are necessary and useful in hospitals and medical practices. “But now using them in kindergartens, schools, workplaces or even at home in general is irresponsible and grossly negligent,” says the Hamburg-based environmental institute. It is not alone with this assessment: That too Robert Koch Institute advises against “routine surface disinfection in domestic and public areas, including the frequent contact areas”.
The Hamburg environmental institute writes that soap and water are enough to clean your hands. It is important to wash your hands carefully. Read more: Wash your hands: This way your hands are really clean
The Hamburg Environmental Institute usually deals with environmental science topics. The institute is co-founded by chemist Michael Braungart – the inventor of the cradle-to-cradle concept.
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