Washing hands: A minute with soap is the key to reducing germs!

Washing hands: A minute with soap is the key to reducing germs!

A new study by the Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology of the MedUni Vienna has uncovered how crucial the duration of washing hands for reducing germs. According to the researchers, under the direction of Romana Kordasiewicz-Stingler, it does nothing to briefly rinse their hands after the toilet. In public toilets, there are often only sinks with cold water, and many people wash their hands insufficiently, which can lead to the spread of contagious diseases.

As part of an experiment, subjects with E.-coli bacteria contaminated fingers were immersed in water and then washed their hands under different conditions. The results were clear: washing hands for just ten seconds with cold water reduced the germ concentration by 1.93 tens of ten. Warm water with 40 degrees Celsius cuts off similarly, with a germ reduction of 2.01 tens potencies, the Kleine Zeitung . In addition, no significant difference between the two temperatures was found.

The optimal duration for washing your hands

The decisive knowledge of the study shows, however, in the duration of washing hands. A one -minute washing with a soap achieved a reduction in the number of germ by impressive 2.68 tens of ten. This exceeds the results of both ten and 20 seconds, which are significantly poorly cut off. "The duration seems to have an impact on germ reduction," said the scientists. The results underline the need to take a thorough way when washing your hands to prevent the spread of gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases, as is emphasized in the publication of the German Society for General and Hospital Hygiene, as the Krone reported.