What is the minimum alcohol concentration recommended in hand sanitizers for effective pathogen kill?

The minimum alcohol concentration recommended in hand sanitizers for effective pathogen kill is 70%. This concentration is deemed most effective because it provides a balanced environment for alcohol to effectively penetrate the cell walls of microbes. A 70% alcohol solution has enough water to slow down the evaporation rate, which allows the active ingredient to remain in contact with the surface of the skin or object being sanitized, thereby maximizing its germicidal activity. Higher concentrations, such as 80%, may evaporate too quickly and may not allow sufficient contact time for the alcohol to effectively kill pathogens. While lower concentrations like 60% can also be effective, they may not provide the same level of efficacy in killing a broader range of organisms as the 70% solution.