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February 10, 2010
Hand gel faulted for fouling up Swedish bus service
Published: 1 Oct 09 11:54 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/22406/20091001/
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Bus service in Östersund in northern Sweden has been disrupted due to an increased in the number of drivers using alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- School torched following Swedish teens' failed hand gel tests (30 Sep 09)
- Swedish nurse suffers burns after hand gel rub (24 Sep 09)
- Drunk driving suspect: I got plastered after stopping the car (11 Sep 09)
"I know that this has happened in a case when the driver was unable to start the bus because of it; the bus was left standing for ten minutes," Micke Bernervall, CEO of local operator Stadsbusserna told local newspaper Länstidningen Östersund.
The alcohol-based sanitizers have been broadly touted as the first line of defence against the spread of the swine flu and have become a regular feature of waiting rooms and offices across Sweden in recent months.
However a spate of fires to person and property in the past fortnight have illustrated the dangers of the disinfectant, and now city bus services have also suffered unlikely disruption as the flu takes its toll in unforeseen ways.
"We took a company decision to not provide the sanitizers to the drivers in our buses. It is not a good idea," Bernervall said.
He added however that drivers looking to stop the spread of the flu and protect themselves from infection are entitled to take along their own supplies.
All of Östersund's buses have been equipped with the sensitive breath alcohol ignition interlock devices, a move that has been welcomed by the operator despite the apparent threat of stationary buses.
"It is important that the interlock device is very sensitive," Micke Bernervall underlined.
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I'm just waiting for someone to motion to ban it. I believe this has been the first year in which Sweden has really cared for the hand sanitizer.
I'm from the States, so its a common thing for me to have on hand. I've never really heard of problems coming from it. People love it!
The good out weighs the bad. It is not a must have, but it really helps to cut down on your odds of getting a cold or something. And is a quick fix to having to always find a sink before eating. Just be sure not to over use it, you do have good germs!
But I've tried the new alcohol free sanitizer, I must say that I do not care for it. It has no scent or feel to it. Nothing that lets me feel any better. It is like water, for all I know it is just water. I much rather have the alcohol based and know its working. It will just take some adjusting. Swedes aren't always the best at adapting at something new, as I've noticed.
I just hope no one does overreact and attempt a ban. Though I'd guess that the threat of Swine Flu out weighs the alcohol misshaps.
That's only because you Americans are ridiculously paranoid and fed full of fears by your media/government. The second point that has strengthened the use of these hand satinizers in America is the fact that all of you see getting ill as the end of the line and something which has a very good chance of screwing your whole lives over. Its a pity for you but I am happy that the average Swede has resisted the ridiculous urge of hyper hygiene for this long. The fact is the more you clean yourself the more vulnerable you become and the more vulnerable you become the more dependent you become on the drug companies to keep you "safe & alive".
Getting the flu will only make you stronger. If you get sick then you get sick but in modern day society (especially in Sweden) there is no reason at all to fear getting ill and it should be welcomed with open arms so that when you are 60 years old you know that your immune system can handle the next bout of the flu because you've made it stronger every single year of your life.
GL&HF
In any case, the best mishap yet is from the UK: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/dorset/8272799.stm (and don't miss the name of the prison officer :D ).
'You don't want drunk prisoners running around the prison'
Andy Fear, POA
From the story:http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/dorset/8272799.stm
I think you have to look up the definition of antiseptic. Antiseptics kill bacteria to prevent sepsis and therefore are antibacterial.
@2
The Yanks aren't the only paranoid people. Try buying soap that doesn't have triclosan in it. I make my own to avoid all the crap one can find in commercial soaps.