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Eliminating Microorganisms through Handwashing

CSEF · 2005 Microbiology

Lisa A. Tripp · St. John's Lutheran School, Bakersfield

Overview

Objectives/Goals To test the effectiveness of different hand cleaning products to reduce micro-organisms on hands. Methods/Materials Every day for 5 days, shower at 11:00 A.M. At 2:30 P.M. use the following methods for each product: Day 1 - no hand washing, day 2 - water only, day 3 - plain soap, day 4 - anti-bacterial soap, day 5 - alcohol hand cleaner. Use a sterile saline soaked cotton-tipped applicator to harvest micro-organisms off of each hand. Dip applicator into saline filled test tubes for each hand. Dip inoculating loop into each test tube. Swipe inoculating loop across blood agar plates in 3 directions. Put lid on plates and label each with day and method. Place in 37 degree celcius non-CO2 incubator. Make colony counts after 48 hours. Results Day 1 - No hand washing 48 normal skin flora, 7 bacillus species Day 2 - Water only 19 normal skin flora Day 3 - Plain soap 11 normal skin flora Day 4 - Anti-bacterial soap 48 normal skin flora Day 5 - Alcohol hand cleaner 5 normal skin flora The alcohol hand cleaner had the least number of micro-organisms, followed by anti-bacterial soap, water only, plain soap, and finally no hand washing. Conclusions/Discussion The alcohol hand cleaner was most effective in eliminating the highest number of micro-organisms and incubated the least number of micro-organisms. My hypothesis was correct. The alcohol hand cleaner had the least number of micro-organisms, followed by anti-bacterial soap, water only, plain soap, and finally no hand washing. I believe I obtained these results due to the effect of the active ingredients in the products being used. From this project, I have learned about micro-organisms that are common to the skin and the effect of hand cleaning techniques and products on removing them.

Summary statement

The purpose of my project ws to test the effectiveness of different hand cleaning products to reduce micro-organisms on my hands.

Help received

I received help from my mother in conducting research, my science teacher instructed me on the report format, and the microbiology technician at Bakersfield Heart Hospital instructed/supervised me in conducting the experiment. I received supplies from the Bakersfield Heart Hospital.

Competition history

  • CSEF 2005 Microbiology · Entry J1334

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