• Question: why does hand wash say it kills 99.999% of bacteria, why not 100%?

    Asked by lifyaaah to Emma, Jimmy, Janet, Niall, Simon on 14 Mar 2013.
    • Photo: James Holloway

      James Holloway answered on 14 Mar 2013:

      Because some bacteria are so tough they can withstand even the harshness of bleaches and alcohol. Also, bacteria takes about 20 minutes to double in number so that 0.001% can re-populate in under a day!

    • Photo: Emma Ashley

      Emma Ashley answered on 14 Mar 2013:

      I think the companies are covering their backs as well, in case you do get an infection you can’t sue them because they said 99.999% not 100%.

    • Photo: Niall Crawford

      Niall Crawford answered on 14 Mar 2013:

      Truth is, it probably doesn’t even kill 99.999% of bacteria, just certain ones which cause illness.

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