CDC/Mary Hilpertshauser
Pardon me for blogging about a topic like handwashing outside of the established global health calendar. I just could not wait until the next Global Handwashing Day (Oct 15 if you were wondering).
Diarrhea is a leading cause of death for children under the age of five in developing countries — second only to pneumonia. This 2009 UNICEF report puts it bluntly: diarrhea “kills more young children than AIDS, malaria and measles combined.”
Oral rehydration salts and zinc tablets save lives, but prevention is key to averting 1.5 million under five deaths per year. A whopping 88 percent of all diarrheal deaths worldwide can be linked to water, sanitation, and hygiene. Resources + Environment + Behavior = Health.
Handwashing with soap is one of the most effective prevention tools, but habits are hard to change — everywhere, including U.S. hospitals. The Mayo Clinic recommends 20 seconds of vigorous washing (or two rounds of “Happy Birthday” according to the CDC — and who doesn’t love to sing this classic?). Add on time for rinsing and drying and you approach 2 minutes. Just do the math for health care workers who see 30 patients a day. What a time suck!
But behavior change is only part of the story. For too many people in this world, access to clean water and soap is limited. If only there was a device that slashed handwashing times and eliminated the need for soap and water…
Phil Wilson/NY Times
So predictable, I know. Anne Eisenberg at the New York Times reports on a developing technology that uses electric current to create a plasma (gas) that can inactivate a variety of microorganisms.
The electric current ionizes the oxygen, nitrogen and water vapor in the air…eventually creating the nitric oxide, hydrogen peroxide and particles that are so effective against bacteria, viruses and fungi.
The cost? Less than $100 (probably). Dr. Gregor Morfill at the Max-Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics (think international space station, not aliens) has reportedly developed some very Earthly protypes, including “portable, battery-operated model the size of a large electric toothbrush.”
We’re going to need a new Wellbee poster.
