# Liquor as an antiseptic **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [January 21, 2011, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquor-as-an-antiseptic/568513 "2011-01-21T23:34:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2011, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquor-as-an-antiseptic/568513/21 "2011-01-24T23:04:52Z")
At least you had the decency to use a blended Scotch. If you had wasted a good single-malt on this experiment, no matter how noble it was, there would be words spoken. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2011, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquor-as-an-antiseptic/568513/22 "2011-01-24T23:42:48Z")
> [@](#): > > I want to stress that “groin”… Careful, a stressed groin can be painful. (and yes, that statement also applies to the correct meaning of “groin”) ---
**Author:** ![DB\_Cooper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DB\_Cooper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DB_Cooper)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquor-as-an-antiseptic/568513/23 "2011-01-25T00:05:24Z")
Hello forum, here is a documented case of medical use of store-bought liquor. The report is slightly deficient as what was actually used was Scotch, some Jameson’s Whisky, a bottle of Bacardi and some Vodka - all sourced from the doctor’s home liquor cabinet or the local bottle-shop. > [@](#): > > **Vodka drip saves tourist** > Australian doctors used an intravenous feed of vodka to keep an Italian tourist alive after he consumed large quantities of a poisonous substance. > > The 24-year-old man, in an apparent bid at self-harm, had swallowed ethylene glycol, found in antifreeze, which can cause death. > > Doctors administered pure alcohol, the conventional antidote, but exhausted the hospital’s supply. > > Desperate to continue the treatment the doctors at Mackay Base Hospital in Queensland state hooked up an intravenous feed of vodka, hospital officials said. > > “The patient was drip-fed about three standard drinks an hour for three days in the intensive care unit,” Todd Fraser said in a statement on Wednesday. > > “Fortunately for him he was in a medically induced coma for a good portion of that. By the time he woke up I think his hangover would have well and truly gone,” Dr Fraser said. > > “The hospital’s administrators were also very understanding when we explained our reasons for buying a case of vodka.” > [SMH/Reuters] ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquor-as-an-antiseptic/568513/24 "2011-01-25T00:25:52Z")
> [@NCDane](#): > > Thank you for the prompt reply. > > Thursday, January 27, 2011 it is, although I won’t be upset > if you are not exactly on time. The Straight Dope page at the Washington City Paper usually runs the column by noon on Thursdays - check the following link then: [http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/columns/straightdope/](http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/columns/straightdope/) I’d tell you more, but I’m limited in discussing columns before they officially run. ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquor-as-an-antiseptic/568513/25 "2011-01-25T00:26:56Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > At least you had the decency to use a blended Scotch. If you had wasted a good single-malt on this experiment, no matter how noble it was, there would be words spoken. It was Grant’s Standfast, which [sub]I like better than any single-malt I’ve ever tasted, sorry.[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![NCDane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecccb3/32.png) [@NCDane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NCDane)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquor-as-an-antiseptic/568513/26 "2011-01-25T00:28:15Z")
> [@Una\_Persson](#): > > The Straight Dope page at the Washington City Paper usually runs the column by noon on Thursdays - check the following link then: > > [http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/columns/straightdope/](http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/columns/straightdope/) > > I’d tell you more, but I’m limited in discussing columns before they officially run. Thanks again- my calendar is marked! ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquor-as-an-antiseptic/568513/27 "2011-01-25T16:32:32Z")
**DB Cooper** , while that is a “case of medical use of store-bought liquor”, it has nothing to do with the topic of this thread, which is use of liquor as an antiseptic. Your case was using it as an antidote to block the enzyme that metabolizes the ethylene glycol, so that it can be extracted by dialysis instead of converted into toxic metabolites. > **[Ethylene glycol poisoning](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethylene_glycol_poisoning)** > > Ethylene glycol poisoning is poisoning caused by drinking ethylene glycol. Early symptoms include intoxication, vomiting and abdominal pain. Later symptoms may include a decreased level of consciousness, headache, and seizures. Long term outcomes may include kidney failure and brain damage. Toxicity and death may occur after drinking even in a small amount as ethylene glycol is more toxic than other diols. > Ethylene glycol is a colorless, odorless, sweet liquid, commonly found in antifreeze. It ... ---
**Author:** ![Sparky812](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Sparky812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky812)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquor-as-an-antiseptic/568513/28 "2011-01-25T17:06:25Z")
> [@Caveat\_lector\_1](#): > > I just assumed with a women getting dressed and the comments about how dirty the groin were that the cowboy felt the need to purify his mouth for some reason… > [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](#): > > Yes, I thought it was yet another example of where Slug’s mind often dwells. Wow! Nice psych experiment. Freud: Tell me what you see happening in this picture? ---
**Author:** ![NCDane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecccb3/32.png) [@NCDane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NCDane)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquor-as-an-antiseptic/568513/29 "2011-01-25T17:32:22Z")
> [@DB\_Cooper](#): > > Hello forum, here is a documented case of medical use of store-bought liquor. > > The report is slightly deficient as what was actually used was Scotch, some Jameson’s Whisky, a bottle of Bacardi and some Vodka - all sourced from the doctor’s home liquor cabinet or the local bottle-shop. > [@](#): > > “The patient was drip-fed about three standard drinks an hour for three days in the intensive care unit…” Three drinks an hour for three days? No way! The guy would not have gotten out of the hospital alive. I only hope hospital staff was not pulling off some kind of cover-up of their own presumably illegal on-the-job indulgence. (I say “presumably” because of the Australian byline, because of Australians’ notorious love of drink, and because as Cecil has noted elswhere, it is unwise to dismiss out of hand any alleged crazed event in the peculiar nation of Australia) ---
**Author:** ![signal11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4da419/32.png) [@signal11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/signal11)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquor-as-an-antiseptic/568513/30 "2011-01-25T21:55:41Z")
> [@NCDane](#): > > My sister, who is an RN at Georgetown (DC) University Hospital, > relates that Chlorox is the preferred germ-killer for appications > not involving contact with human skin. _Clorox_ is the brand name for 1% _chlorine_ bleach. Regarding skin contact, in a waterborne epidemic situation, such as cholera, we’d typically use 0.05% concentration as a hand washing solution for use in and around treatment centers and food prep. You’d step up concentration levels for differing usage (foot baths, mortuary/body disposal, vehicle rinse, etc) but chlorine solutions are your general go to for just about any form of mass pathogen control. > [@](#): > > I would be curious to know whether anyone here can provide > comparative stats in re Chlorox as a disinfectant. For that matter, > how about Iodine? I don’t understand this question. High enough concentrations in various forms will kill just about anything. IOW, you open up a canister of HTH in the field without following proper procedures and something goes wrong, your day is going to _really_ suck. Wine results - Uhm… Duh? Wine is not sterile. ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2011, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquor-as-an-antiseptic/568513/31 "2011-01-26T01:41:19Z")
> [@NCDane](#): > > Three drinks an hour for three days? No way! The guy would not > have gotten out of the hospital alive. submitted for your approval, bolding added, 80 is the DUI line around here > [@](#): > > IV loading dose: 7.6-10 mL/kg IV of 10% ethanol (V/V) in dextrose 5% in water over 30 min to \*\*achieve blood ETOH concentration of 100-130 mg/dL \*\*(21.7-28.2 mmol/L) > Oral loading dose: 0.8-1 mL/kg PO of 95% ethanol in 6 oz of orange juice over 30 min > Average maintenance doses (PO/IV): 0.15 mL/kg/h PO of 95% ETOH; 1.4 mL/kg/h IV of a 10% solution > **[Ethylene Glycol Toxicity Treatment & Management: Approach Considerations,...](https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/814701-treatment)** > > Several toxic alcohols are of medical and toxicological importance; the principal ones include ethanol, ethylene glycol (EG), methanol, and isopropanol. See Alcohol Toxicity. The thing that makes me go:dubious: is using store booze, when I 've given it, it was a pharmacutical grade IV. ---
**Author:** ![NCDane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecccb3/32.png) [@NCDane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NCDane)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2011, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquor-as-an-antiseptic/568513/32 "2011-01-26T08:06:26Z")
> [@signal11](#): > > _Clorox_ is the brand name for 1% _chlorine_ bleach. I know. I’ve only been using the stuff since about 1970. But thanks for making sure I was cued in. In any case, I am quite sure my sister used the word “Chlorox”. I guess I should warn her that some people might disapprove. > [@signal11](#): > > Regarding skin contact, in a waterborne epidemic situation, such as cholera, we’d typically use 0.05% concentration as a hand washing solution for use in and around treatment centers and food prep. You’d step up concentration levels for differing usage (foot baths, mortuary/body disposal, vehicle rinse, etc) but chlorine solutions are your general go to for just about any form of mass pathogen control. Now you are relating interesting and useful information. > [@signal11](#): > > I don’t understand this question. High enough concentrations in various forms will kill just about anything. IOW, you open up a canister of HTH in the field without following proper procedures and something goes wrong, your day is going to _really_ suck. Now you have reverted to the less enlightening form you began your post with. Did you read the original Stait Dope article? Carefully? It related that some deadly species of microbes, including botulism, gas gangrene, and tetanus were resistant to ethanol, with gas gangrene being hardly affected by 60 minutes exposure, and tetanus able to survive 18 hours exposure. The article also said that high concentrations of alcohol were not necessarily the most effective. Do you understand a bit better now? > [@signal11](#): > > Wine results - Uhm… Duh? Wine is not sterile. So: you are questioning the scientific methodology used by Una and Fierra. Well, I will put my money on them as being more likely than you to know the requirments of correct procedure. It seems to me that in a study of the antiseptic effects of alcohol it would make sense to include test soultions of zero, low, medium, and high alcohol content. ---
**Author:** ![NCDane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecccb3/32.png) [@NCDane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NCDane)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2011, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquor-as-an-antiseptic/568513/33 "2011-01-26T08:23:30Z")
> [@outlierrn](#): > > submitted for your approval, bolding added, 80 is the DUI line around here > > [http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/814701-treatment](http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/814701-treatment) > > The thing that makes me go:dubious: is using store booze, when I 've given it, it was a pharmacutical grade IV. Thanks for the link. The issue hinges on what a “standard” drink is. I have always heard that the standard contains the equivalent of 3-4oz likker, and that one such drink per hour is metabolized, so three per hour consumption would lead to an ever-increasing amount present in the body. This sounds like something Cecil, Una and Fierra ought to follow up on. If they need volunteers I am definitely available! ---
**Author:** ![Cheshire\_Human](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Cheshire\_Human](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheshire_Human)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2011, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquor-as-an-antiseptic/568513/34 "2011-01-26T13:36:58Z")
> [@NCDane](#): > > Three drinks an hour for three days? No way! The guy would not have gotten out of the hospital alive… If you read the Wiki link **Irishman** gave in a previous post, under “Treatment”, you will see that the dialysis portion of the treatment removes the antidote from the bloodstream, too, so more has to be given to maintain therapeutic levels. It probably took that much extra just to maintain “totally trashed”, and did not reach “dead” levels. ---
**Author:** ![NCDane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecccb3/32.png) [@NCDane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NCDane)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2011, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquor-as-an-antiseptic/568513/35 "2011-01-26T17:54:52Z")
> [@Cheshire\_Human](#): > > If you read the Wiki link **Irishman** gave in a previous post, under “Treatment”, you will see that the dialysis portion of the treatment removes the antidote from the bloodstream, too, so more has to be given to maintain therapeutic levels. It probably took that much extra just to maintain “totally trashed”, and did not reach “dead” levels. I had not read that link. Dialysis might provide the explanation I have been wondering about. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2011, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquor-as-an-antiseptic/568513/36 "2011-01-26T22:00:19Z")
**signal11** said: > [@](#): > > _Clorox_ is the brand name for 1% _chlorine_ bleach. > [@NCDane](#): > > In any case, I am quite sure my sister used the word “Chlorox”. > I guess I should warn her that some people might disapprove. I think the salient point is the concentration level of Clorox bleach. Typically, bleach is a solution of 3 to 6% sodium hypoclorite. > **[Bleach](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bleach)** > > Bleach is the generic name for any chemical product that is used industrially or domestically to remove color from (i.e. to whiten) fabric or fiber (in a process called bleaching) or to disinfect after cleaning. It often refers specifically to a dilute solution of sodium hypochlorite, also called "liquid bleach". > Many bleaches have broad-spectrum bactericidal properties, making them useful for disinfecting and sterilizing. Liquid bleach is one of the only compounds capable of fully annihilatin... I am not sure how much chlorine that translates to. **signal11** then refers to “HTH”, which is “high test hypochlorite”. > [@](#): > > hth. Calcium hypochlorite with typical 68% available chlorine manufactured by Arch Chemicals Inc. hth stands for high test hypochlorite and is the world’s best selling brand of dry chlorine. [http://www.hth.co.uk/glossary.shtml](http://www.hth.co.uk/glossary.shtml) (That appears to be an Arch Chemicals site, so judge accordingly.) HTH has a much higher concentration of hypochlorite, and corresponding higher concentration of chlorine. The 68% chlorine of this brand tells the story, compared to Chlorox household bleach. > [@](#): > > Now you have reverted to the less enlightening form you began > your post with. > > Did you read the original Stait Dope article? Carefully? > > [snip] > > The article also said that high concentrations of alcohol were > not necessarily the most effective. > > Do you understand a bit better now? I fail to see the source of your apparent bile. signal11 is discussing High Test Hypochlorite, which is commercially available chemical sources used for disinfection of things like pool systems. He is pointing out that these chemicals are highly reactive and come in strong concentrations that get diluted upon application to a pool, for instance, but poor handling in the undiluted form is dangerous. > [@](#): > > Sodium hypochlorite is a strong oxidizer. Oxidation reactions are corrosive, **solutions burn skin and cause eye damage** , particularly when used in concentrated forms. However, as recognized by the NFPA, only solutions containing more than 40% sodium hypochlorite by weight are considered hazardous oxidizers. Solutions less than 40% are classified as a moderate oxidizing hazard (NFPA 430, 2000). > > Chlorination of drinking water can oxidize organic contaminants, producing trihalomethanes (also called haloforms), which are carcinogenic. > > Household bleach and pool chlorinator solutions are typically stabilized by a significant concentration of lye (caustic soda, NaOH) as part of the manufacturing reaction. **Skin contact will produce caustic irritation or burns due to defatting and saponification of skin oils and destruction of tissue.** The slippery feel of bleach on skin is due to this process. bolding added for emphasis > **[Sodium hypochlorite](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_hypochlorite)** > > .mw-parser-output .ib-chembox{border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left}.mw-parser-output .ib-chembox td,.mw-parser-output .ib-chembox th{border:1px solid #a2a9b1;width:40%}.mw-parser-output .ib-chembox td+td{width:60%}@media screen{html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .ib-chembox figure:not(.skin-invert-image):not(.skin-invert):not(.bg-transparent){background:var(--background-color-inverted,#f8f9fa)}}@media screen and (prefers-color-scheme:dark){html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-p... I fail to see what relevance that is to your bringing up Cecil’s discussion of alcohol concentrations. Yes, after a certain level, more will not necessarily be better. Doesn’t mean it won’t be more dangerous. > [@](#): > > It seems to me that in a study of the antiseptic effects of alcohol > it would make sense to include test soultions of zero, low, medium, > and high alcohol content. It would also seem to me that if you are trying to test the antiseptic properties of a substance, you would consider that the substance you are using is not sterile, so it has already failed to be antiseptic. If the alcohol content in wine is not sufficient to sterilize the wine, then how can it sterilize a surface? ---
**Author:** ![NCDane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecccb3/32.png) [@NCDane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NCDane)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2011, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquor-as-an-antiseptic/568513/37 "2011-01-27T04:19:37Z")
> [@Irishman](#): > > I fail to see the source of your apparent bile. signal11 is discussing High Test Hypochlorite, which is commercially available chemical sources used for disinfection of things like pool systems. He is pointing out that these chemicals are highly reactive and come in strong concentrations that get diluted upon application to a pool, for instance, but poor handling in the undiluted form is dangerous. I asked a reasonable question: [QUOTE=NCDane] I would be curious to know whether anyone here can provide comparative stats in re Chlorox as a disinfectant. For that matter, how about Iodine? [/QUOTE] And got a snarky answer: “I don’t understand this question. High enough concentrations in various forms will kill just about anything.” IOW the answer is obvious so the question was dumb. > [@Irishman](#): > > I fail to see what relevance that is to your bringing up Cecil’s discussion of alcohol concentrations. Yes, after a certain level, more will not necessarily be better. Doesn’t mean it won’t be more dangerous. The relevance lies in the fact that different alcohol levels have varying degrees of effectiveness depending on the target, including little to no effectiveness at 90% against the tetanus microbe. I was wondering if Chlorox and iodine displayed similar variation depending on the concentration and on the target. > [@Irishman](#): > > It would also seem to me that if you are trying to test the antiseptic properties of a substance, you would consider that the substance you are using is not sterile, so it has already failed to be antiseptic. If the alcohol content in wine is not sufficient to sterilize the wine, then how can it sterilize a surface? Your question really should be directed at the specialists who conducted the test. However, here is my two cents: I think the idea is that you want to test a full range of conditions in any experiment for control purposes, and also because Mother Nature has a record of suprising us with with unexpected, counterintuitive and even bizzare results. ---
**Author:** ![signal11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4da419/32.png) [@signal11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/signal11)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2011, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquor-as-an-antiseptic/568513/38 "2011-01-27T06:46:03Z")
> [@NCDane](#): > > I know. I’ve only been using the stuff since about 1970. But thanks > for making sure I was cued in. > > In any case, I am quite sure my sister used the word “Chlorox”. > I guess I should warn her that some people might disapprove. > > Now you have reverted to the less enlightening form you began > your post with. I was trying to inform you that “Clorox” is a trademarked term for chlorine. It’s a common misspelling. > [@](#): > > Did you read the original Stait Dope article? Carefully? > > It related that some deadly species of microbes, including > botulism, gas gangrene, and tetanus were resistant to > ethanol, with gas gangrene being hardly affected by 60 minutes > exposure, and tetanus able to survive 18 hours exposure. > > The article also said that high concentrations of alcohol were > not necessarily the most effective. > > Do you understand a bit better now? > > So: you are questioning the scientific methodology used by Una > and Fierra. > > Well, I will put my money on them as being more likely than > you to know the requirments of correct procedure. > > It seems to me that in a study of the antiseptic effects of alcohol > it would make sense to include test soultions of zero, low, medium, > and high alcohol content. Knee jerk snark - a common reaction here on the Straight Dope boards. At this point, I should inform you that my medical specialty is infectious disease epidemiology. My civ/env engineering specialty is in water, hygiene and sanitation. I have an MPH in control of communicable diseases. Now, back to your question. Your original question “I would be curious to know whether anyone here can provide comparative stats in re Chlorox as a disinfectant. For that matter, how about Iodine?” is too broad and covers too many topics to answer in any meaningful way on a generalized discussion board. In fact, there are a half dozen ways to read the question, all of which could be answered with a textbook sized answer. Your follow-up snark defines your question a little - contact times for specific concentrations chlorine and iodine, but again, this is a very broad question to which there is no simple answer. What pathogen, in what environment, under what circumstances, with what chlorine products, with what delivery systems, etc. For example, there are entire field manuals devoted to chlorine usage for cholera alone. Even given that amount of literature, there’s much we don’t know. In one particular recent hep E outbreak, I was the lead epi and watsan for the lead agency and pretty much wrote the procedure that everyone other NGO in the WHO/UN cluster followed, only to turn out months in that a lot of what we thought we knew about hep E control procedures were wrong and ineffective. Right now, I just rolled off an job in Haiti. So… NCDane. Would you like to rephrase your questions and comments? ---
**Author:** ![NCDane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecccb3/32.png) [@NCDane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NCDane)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2011, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquor-as-an-antiseptic/568513/39 "2011-01-27T07:31:53Z")
> [@signal11](#): > > I was trying to inform you that “Clorox” is a trademarked term for chlorine. It’s a common misspelling. Jeeeez. Well in that case let me tip my hat to you for the important correction. > [@signal11](#): > > Knee jerk snark - a common reaction here on the Straight Dope boards. No doubt you are a highly decorated veteran of the snark wars. > [@signal11](#): > > At this point, I should inform you that my medical specialty is infectious disease epidemiology. My civ/env engineering specialty is in water, hygiene and sanitation. I have an MPH in control of communicable diseases. OK. > [@signal11](#): > > Now, back to your question. Your original question “I would be curious to know whether anyone here can provide comparative stats in re Chlorox as a disinfectant. For that matter, how about Iodine?” is too broad and covers too many topics to answer in any meaningful way on a generalized discussion board. In fact, there are a half dozen ways to read the question, all of which could be answered with a textbook sized answer. > > Your follow-up snark defines your question a little - contact times for specific concentrations chlorine and iodine, but again, this is a very broad question to which there is no simple answer. What pathogen, in what environment, under what circumstances, with what chlorine products, with what delivery systems, etc. For example, there are entire field manuals devoted to chlorine usage for cholera alone. Sorry, I do not believe you when you claim no meaningful answer can be given. For example, someone, maybe not you, but someone ought to be able to tell us whether Clorox and iodine are effective against all microbes, or if there are important exceptions as there are with alcohol. And as for the environment and circumstances, this thread originated in reponse to routine USA medical SOP, so why not reply in regard to routine USA medical SOP, which should not differ so much (I hope) accoring to location. > [@signal11](#): > > Even given that amount of literature, there’s much we don’t know. In one particular recent hep E outbreak, I was the lead epi and watsan for the lead agency and pretty much wrote the procedure that everyone other NGO in the WHO/UN cluster followed, only to turn out months in that a lot of what we thought we knew about hep E control procedures were wrong and ineffective. Honestly I wish you had had a better outcome. Honesty is well and good but I would not be bashful about drawing attention to your successes, and for the sake of promoting your credibility that is a course you should take. A medical error of months-long duration is not going to inspire any confidence. > [@signal11](#): > > Right now, I just rolled off an job in Haiti. > > So… NCDane. Would you like to rephrase your questions and comments? Not any more than I have above. ---
**Author:** ![Crazyhorse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crazyhorse/32/31_2.png) [@Crazyhorse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crazyhorse)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2011, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquor-as-an-antiseptic/568513/40 "2011-01-27T13:54:31Z")
> [@Una\_Persson](#): > > The Straight Dope page at the Washington City Paper usually runs the column by noon on Thursdays - check the following link then: > > [http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/columns/straightdope/](http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/columns/straightdope/) > > I’d tell you more, but I’m limited in discussing columns before they officially run. It’s up now. Dopetoberfest here we come! Very interesting column but for lack of any groin swabbing it doesn’t capture my attention the way this one did. Home-brewed beer stored in clear bottles might make a better antiseptic than that stored in green or brown. Any leftovers Una? 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquor-as-an-antiseptic/568513.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquor-as-an-antiseptic/568513.md?page=3)