Development of Hand-Washing Device and Anti-Microbial Effects of Electrolyzed Tap Water

Abstract

We have developed a hand-washing device using weak alkaline electrolyzed tap water(WAETW), and examined its antibacterial and side effects. After washing with WAETW, the reduction rate of the bacterial colony number on the hand stamps was 55% (medical staff, n=46), 42% (nursing school students, n=12, and 50% (staff at school for the handicapped, n=12). The reduction rate of colonies on hands washed with WAETW was significantly lower than with tap water 5 and 30 minutes after washing. WAETW also completely suppressed the growth of the following bacterial strains at 10³ CFU/ml in vitro;Staphylococcus epidermidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa for 1 minute, Escherichia coli for 5 minutes, and Staphylococcus aureus for 10 minutes. No cutaneous or systemic side effects were observed during this study;therefore, WAETW washing is a potent sanitizer for hands with reduced environmental load.