Hand Washing - For More Reasons Than You Think!

Washing your hands is a critical part of warding off infectious illnesses. When we come into contact with surfaces that have been touched by others, we are potentially exposed to the microorganisms that they carry on their skin or release from their sinuses or mouth by sneezing or coughing. This is, of course, a very effective way to prevent transmission of the seasonal flu or cold. However, there is another important reason to make this a regular habit along with avoiding touching your nose and mouth when in public.

Studies have shown that everyday products that we are handling contain toxic chemicals that are being absorbed into our skin. Bisphenol-A is one such chemical that we are receiving a high level of exposure from and likely due to register receipts. According to Laura Vandenberg, PhD at the Center for Regenerative and Developmental Biology at Tufts University, "studies are starting to suggest that food might not be the major source (of BPA). It's plausible that exposures are coming from elsewhere, whether it's thermal paper or some other environmental exposure we're not aware of yet." Furthermore, researchers of a new study published in the journal Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry found that BPA from receipts transferred to hands within seconds of handling and absorption was increased the longer the individual went without hand washing. Oils and lotions increased the quantity of BPA transferred to the hands and alcohol-based sanitizers actually increased the absporption through the skin following exposure. So this option for cleaning the hands made it worse.

Hand washing is as important for controlling chemical exposure as it is for avoiding the bad bugs. But don't use just anything to clean your hands. Hand soaps that contain parabens or triclosan and triclocarbon are adding hormone-disrupting chemicals to our environment and your body. The latter 2 are touted as important for their anti-bacterial properties. However, studies on households who use these soaps show no decrease in the incidence of flus and colds than households that use soaps made without these chemicals. The best choices for keeping the hands clean from bugs and chemicals are non-deodorant bar soaps and simple castille or glycerin soaps. They do the job by cleaving dirt, chemicals and microorganisms from the surface of the skin so that the running water and friction of hand rubbing can wash them away. So for year round protection, make hand-washing one of your frequent habits!