FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

We believe that proper hand hygiene is the best way to protect against commonly transmitted germs, bacteria and viruses.
Most experts will recommend using hand sanitizers when washing with soap and water is not convenient. Those who endorse prevention over cure, recommend the use of an alcohol-free hand sanitizer with lasting protection. 
Q. Why use GermZapper brand alcohol-free, rinse free, fragrance free hand sanitizers vs. traditional alcohol-based products?
 
A. Recognizing that proper hand hygiene is the best way to mitigate the spread of germs, bacteria and viruses; we believe that washing with soap (non-antimicrobial) and water is the first line of defense. However, washing with soap and water Is not always possible. There are two choices, use a toxic, flammable, strong smelling alcohol sanitizer that stops working as soon as it  evaporates(about 15 seconds or less) or the GermZapper  formula that is safe, non flammable and continues to kill germs for hours.
(2) Germzapper is an antiseptic, hypoallergenic and it can be safely applied to scrapes and cuts without stinging.
(3) Germzapper is MORE COST EFFECTIVE than alcohol-based gels and does not dry the skin or impact the immune system.
(4) GermZapper safely and effectively PROTECTS the skin. On the other hand, alcohol-based products destroy your skins' moisture eliminating its' natural ability to protect against invading germs and bacteria.
 
Q. What is GermZappers' active ingredient?
A. The active ingredient is Benzethonium Chloride, long considered by medical professionals as one of the safest organic compounds. It has been used  for over 50 years in a wide variety of consumer and healthcare-related antiseptic and antibacterial products.


A Comparison of Commonly Used Surface Disinfectants Alcohol-, Phenol-, Chlorine-, and Quaternary Amine-Based Disinfectants By Lauren Crawford, BS; Zhi-Jian Yu, PhD; Erin Keegan, BS; and Tina Yu, MS

Quaternary amines such as benzalkonium chloride and benzethonium chloride are commonly used in small concentrations in after-dinner skin wipes, skin disinfectants as well as in ophthalmic, cosmetic and food preservatives. Alfredson et al. demonstrated that alkyldimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride (benzalkonium chloride) at .25% in the diet of rats over a two-year feeding period did not demonstrably affect the treated animals. The final report on the safety assessment of benzethonium chloride (diisobutylphenoxyethoxyethyl dimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride) and benzalkonium chloride has been issued by the CTFA (Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association) which concluded that the compound is safe at concentrations of .5% and below in cosmetics applied to the skin, and safe at .02% for cosmetics used in the eye area.
 
Q. What are the pathogens that Benzethonium Chloride has proven to be effective against?
 
A.
Apergillis niger
Breveibacteium
Campylobacter
Candida albicans
Candida keyfr
Canine Distemper Virus
Citrus Canker Disease
Clostridium difficile (C. difficile)
Dematophytes (cause of Ringworm)
Enterococcus faecalis
Enterococcus faecium (VRE)
Escherichia coli (e. coli)
Hepatitis A and B
Herpes simplex virus Type 1 , Type 2
Human Coronavirus (related to SARS)
Influenza A2/Hong Kong (Influenza)
Klebsiella pneumonia
Listeria monocytogenes
Microcoocus luteus
Pathogenic E. Coli
Proteus mirabilis
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Psuedorabies Virus
Salmonella enteritidis
Salmonella typhimurium
Serratia marcescens
Shigella sonnei
Staphylococcus aureus
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
Staphylococcus epidermidis
Staphylococcus haemolyticus
Staphylococcus saprophyticus
Streptococcus pyogenes
Trichophyton mentagrophytes (athletes foot)
Trichophyton rubrum
Vibro Vulnificus
Yersinia enterocolitica

Q. Why is Germzapper better than alcohol-based products?
A.  Germzapper has proven effective at not only killing 99.9% of commonly transmitted germs and viruses within seconds, but more importantly- an effective preventative approach with residual protection that alcohol-based products cannot claim. Alcohol-based products lose their effectiveness within seconds after being applied to the skin. Germzapper Alcohol-Free, Rinse Free, Fragrance Free product is non-toxic and not dangerous for kids or adults (when properly applied).
Q. How often can Germzapper be used?
A. At least once every four hours and after washing your hands with soap and water. Frequent use will not harm your skin.
Q. Will Germzapper stain floors, carpets, fabrics or other surfaces?
A. No. Alcohol-based products stain and when dripped on to the floor, actually breakup floor wax and damage flooring and carpet. 
Q. Why are we concerned about Alcohol-Based Products?

A (1). Toxic. According to a 2007 report published by the American Association of Poison Control Centers, in 2006 there were approximately 12,000 incidents of alcohol poisoning directly attributed to alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
(2) Flammability. Fire Marshalls across America are well aware that Alcohol gel sprays are flammable. There are many ways in which children and others are repurposing alcohol hand sanitizers. Its no wonder that the FDA, the CDC, EPA and other government agencies all insert warnings into their respective documents cautioning against where and how alcohol-based (and fragrance-based) cleaning and sanitizing products should be used.
(3) Risk of infection. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer products can actually increase the infection risk, including when applied to open cuts.
According to the Chief Medical Officer of Kalamazoo County, Michigan, "I don't know why we always seem to stress alcohol -based hand sanitizes. It may be to keep public education easier/ less complicated. I personally don't like them because I have eczema and it really dries and inflames my skin increasing my risk for infection!".
 
Q. Why does the Centers for Disease Control recommend alcohol-based gels?
A. As recently as October 2007, in the midst of a MRSA outbreak in schools across the country, officials from the CDC stated,
"CDC hand hygiene guidelines have not been updated since first being published in 1996, and that these guidelines were intended exclusively for institutional health care settings (hospitals).These same officials have also stated that "for those reading the complete 50 page document, the guidelines specifically caution against using alcohol-based hand sanitizers in a variety of settings"
 
Q. So why has the CDC not updated their recommendations to take into account newer, alcohol-free hand sanitizer technologies?
A. The same officials at CDC have stated, "We do not perform research, and even though there are different alcohol-formulations on the market, there are also different alcohol-free formulations and we don't have the resources to review them all; we can only tell people to do their own research before purchasing a product."
 
Q. When should you use Germzapper producst?

A. First,  we recommend frequent hand washing with proper soap and water as the primary means to best protect yourself and your children against the spread of germs and viruses. With respect to MRSA and similar bacteria, we also strongly recommend proper bandaging of open cuts and abrasions. We know that washing with soap and water is not always convenient, and we all know that germs and bacteria can be transmitted in virtually any type of environment, whether merely standing next to someone on a bus, shaking hands in a business meeting, or simply touching an object.
Applying Germzapper regularly will help lower the risk of illness from exposure to commonly transmitted germs and maintain protection when soap and water are not available. The convenient travel size package or our wall mounted dispenser for high use locations make our product suitable for any situation.
Here are just a few examples of where Germzapper can be used
Schools, Day Care centers, Health Care Venues, Traveling, public transportation, Sports stadiums and arenas, tourist attraction, cruise ships, malls, offices, business conferences, hotels, phones, keyboards, camping, first aid kits, natural disasters, first responders, gyms, retail centers and many more...
 Q. Where can I buy Germzapper?
Online at www.thegermzapper.com and at selected specialist retail stores.
Q. How much does it cost?
A.  Less than a penny per application.
Q. Are there special discounts for educational facilities and non-profits?
A. Yes. Schools and charitable organizations enjoy substantial discounts (min. order qty applies) vs. listed retail price. In addition take advantage of our Shield Protection Program. 
Q. Who can I contact for more information?
A. Simply call 877 ZAP AWAY (1 877 927 2929) and ask for Michael Brady who will be happy to assist you or email our customer service department at: sales@thegermzapper.com.