Final answer:
Alcohol-based hand rubs are effective at killing bacteria, fungi, and certain viruses due to their ability to denature proteins and disrupt cell membranes. They evaporate quickly, which is convenient but limits their duration of effectiveness.
Step-by-step explanation:
Alcohol-based hand rubs are considered decent because they possess several advantages when it comes to disinfecting. The primary active ingredients in these sanitizers, such as isopropanol and ethanol, are effective in killing a wide range of bacteria, viruses, and fungi, particularly the enveloped viruses. These alcohols work by denaturing proteins and disrupting microbial cell membranes, offering quick and efficient disinfection.
Moreover, alcohols have a high volatility, which means they evaporate quickly and don't leave a residue, thus have a rapid drying time that contributes to user convenience. However, this also means their effectiveness can be limited to immediately after application. They are not sporicidal, but can inhibit sporulation and germination. Another advantage is that they leave the skin feeling cool due to their evaporation. Nevertheless, alcohols must be used carefully as they can dehydrate the skin and are flammable, especially when ethanol is used.
It's also worth noting that while alcohol-based hand rubs are effective disinfectants, they cannot penetrate visible dirt and so aren't effective when hands are visibly soiled. In such circumstances, washing with soap and water is recommended. Alcohol-based products should also be used in well-ventilated areas and never ingested.