This handwash kills 99.9% of bacteria

serious.sam

I've always wondered, what is the 0.1% it doesn't kill?

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Reply 1

Boo_x

the super bacteria that you really should be scared of

Reply 2

username807367

I remember seeing this on QI, they said most of them do kill 100% of bacteria but since it's virtually impossible to prove it they can't claim it.

This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

Reply 3

aWildPidgey

They only say 99.9% instead of 100% for legal reasons.

Reply 4

Strawberrycayk

Original post by boo_x

the super bacteria that you really should be scared of

taa daaaa

Reply 5

Manitude

I would imagine it's the genetic mutants which can survive that particular type of disinfectant.

Reply 6

Elwyn

Legal reasons.

You shouldn't use them too much though, over using them can cause resistance, similar to antibiotic medicines. Alcohol gel is good enough.

Reply 7

username945961

Basically they say 99.9% because there is unknown bacteria if that makes any sense? The hand wash kills all KNOWN bacteria, but there are still hundreds if not thousands of undiscovered bacteria.

Reply 8

Strawberrycayk

Original post by DisconcertingWink1

The fact that someone took the time to create something as weird as that creeps me out more than the bacteria itself. I mean, look at it!

... Ah, it's ****ing weird!!!

It's the super bug don hahaha

Reply 9

username945961

Original post by DisconcertingWink1

The fact that someone took the time to create something as weird as that creeps me out more than the bacteria itself. I mean, look at it!

... Ah, it's ****ing weird!!!

It's gonna get you....in your sleep

Reply 10

Rtcw

Original post by hrbrox

Yup, this. Sometimes bacteria are so small that you cannot see them/need expensive machinery to prove.

Reply 11

username324561

A common misconception is that it refers to the number of species it is effective against when in fact it refers to the number of bacteria it effectively kills (E.g. if there is 1,000 bacteria cells, it will kill 999 within 30 seconds. That is the exact criteria.

Reply 12

Tyler Varona

Original post by ShafiqJ

Basically they say 99.9% because there is unknown bacteria if that makes any sense? The hand wash kills all KNOWN bacteria, but there are still hundreds if not thousands of undiscovered bacteria.

If this is true how do they know the hand wash will kill 99.9%?

And if they're just guessing that percentage isn't it illegal?

Reply 13

gurkin123

Imagine taking a broom and sweeping a floor covered in dust. Effectively all of the dust will be swept away, aside from a few particles that escape the brush. In normal reality, your floor is clean, but technically, there are still bits of dust left. Its the same principle, only with the death of bacteria- almost all of them are killed bar a tiny proportion, and 99.9% is the easiest way of saying "almost all of it".

Reply 14

Spaz Man

They can't prove it and therefore are open to legal attacks. The full explanation was on last week's episode of QI I think.

Reply 15

SillyEddy

Yeah, the legal reasons. Plus in the adverts they'll usually show the product 'killing germs' then leave a couple left over just to show that it doesn't get them all.

I think the funniest one is the Dettol automatic hand wash - It claims to be more hygienic or what ever. Yeah, after you've wiped your arse, turned on the taps, washed your hands (without touching the dirty soap) you can touch the taps again just to get any potential bacteria back onto your hands. Smart move. I prefer to live more dangerously and hope for the best.