Answer:
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread across the globe, it's of the utmost importance to keep ourselves and those around us healthy right now. That's why we've stocked up on hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, and other sanitizing products to prevent the spread of COVID-19. But as the virus continues to spread as the months go by, we're being reminded that not all the products on the market are equally effective.
One common misconception is that the higher the percentage of alcohol you're using for disinfecting, the greater the chances are that you're actually clearing your skin and surfaces of germs. Isopropyl alcohol 70 percent, or isopropyl alcohol 99 percent diluted to 70 percent with purified water, kills organisms by denaturing their proteins. A 70 percent isopropyl alcohol solution dissolves their lipids and is effective against most bacteria and fungi and many viruses.
In terms of disinfecting, higher concentrations of alcohol are less effective at killing bacteria. Certain bugs, such as bacteria, are better eliminated with the use of a less concentrated isopropanol, because higher concentrations cause an external injury that forms a protective wall and shields these organisms. Sure, it seems counterintuitive, but in some cases, including in terms of preventing the spread of COVID-19, 99 percent isopropanol is too powerful of an alcohol solution. Simply put, it breaks down the outside of the cell before it can penetrate the germ in question. On the other hand, 70 percent alcohol is the perfect concoction of alcohol and water to cross a cell membrane, thereby attacking the entire cell and killing the bacteria.
