Difference between Purell and Germ-X
Purell is a brand of hand sanitizer that is made by GOJO Industries. Since 1996, Purell has been protecting people from the spread of germs and infection worldwide. Claiming to kill "99.99%" of common germs, Purell is used by rubbing the liquid onto hands.
Germ-X is also a brand of hand sanitizer, but Vi-Jon Laboratories in St. Louis, Missouri manufactures it. Germ-X also claims to kill "99.99%" of all common germs, is available in instant hand sanitizing gel form as well as foaming hand soap, and wipes.
History of Purell and Germ-X
Founded in Akron, Ohio, GOJO Industries began in 1946 with the production of GOJO Hand Cleaner. In 1988, Purell Instant Hand Sanitizer was developed and introduced to the market. Pfizer purchased the rights to sell Purell to the consumer market in 2004, but GOJO retained the industrial market.
The Vi-Jon company was established in 1908 as the Peroxide Specialty Company in St. Louis, Missouri. In 1933, the Peroxide Specialty Company became Vi-Jon Laboratories. Most of Vi-Jon's products are private label health and beauty items.
Where and How to Use of Purell and Germ-X
Purell can be used anywhere, as it is available in easy to carry bottles. Many offices and schools now have pump bottles of hand sanitizer on desks and in wall dispensers. Because it is not always handy to wash your hands with soap and water, instant hand sanitizers like Purell and Germ-X can be applied to hands and rubbed in until dry.
Use Purell or Germ-X after using the toilet, riding on public transit, pumping gas, using a computer keyboard or mouse, touching any type of office equipment, using a public phone, riding in an elevator, using the ATM machine, visiting the playground and after any other type of activity where the germs of other people may have been in contact.
Risks of Using Purell and Germ-X
The main ingredient in both Purell and Germ-X is ethyl alcohol. Purell contains over 60% ethyl alcohol and is flammable and potentially dangerous for children to ingest. The packaging on Purell and Germ-X both specifically state that it is to be kept out of the reach of children.
Other claims of hand sanitizers like Purell and Germ-X being bad because they can make bacteria resistant to sanitation techniques have been proven false. These claims said that organisms would adapt and develop immunity to the hand sanitizers. As Purell and Germ-X both contain ethyl alcohol, the product does not remain in contact with bacteria long enough for the bacteria to become resistant.
Summary
- The Center for Disease Control and Prevention states that alcohol-based products for sanitizing hands, like Purell and Germ-X are useful in situations where soap and water are unavailable.
- Children should be supervised in the use of any alcohol-based hand sanitizer to make sure they are using it properly and not ingesting it.
- With the availability of hand sanitizers from Purell and Germ-X in various forms, there is no reason to not have clean, germ-free hands.
- Wipes and gels can be carried in pockets, purses, and backpacks, making cleaning on the go a simple and carefree procedure.
