Test Kit washing test This test is a practical demonstration of the efficiency of barrier creams and cleansing creams on dirty hands. Regular application of cream on the hands improves the natural resistance of the skin and helps to prevent dirt getting into wrinkles and cracks, especially in the winter and when the hands are badly roughened. This kit allows this to be demonstrated in a live situation by the forming of groups. Method :. Make sure that there is somewhere nearby where hands can be washed in running water. Paper towels for drying the hands and, if possible, nail-brushes should also be available. Ideally the washbasin should be situated in the room being used for the demonstration.. For the demonstration, select a small group, which should be arbitrarily divided into two equal parts (A and B) and positioned in front of the rest of the group. The demonstration is more effective if it is carried out on dry, workroughened hands than on smooth, well-moisturised skin.. Group A applies the cream carefully on hands and wrists according to the instructions of the demonstrator (cf. plate of Course + video). Group B does not apply cream. 4. The two groups make their hands dirty with the soiling agent using the wooden spatula. The dirt should cover the whole surface of the hand, from the tips of the fingers to the wrist, not forgetting the cuticles and between the fingers. 5. Each group cleans their hands at the same time, first removing as much dirt as possible with the paper towels, and then washing their hands with the cleansing agent provided. 6. The demonstrator examines the two groups. He comments on the wiping and cleansing of the hands and draws attention to the differences between the two groups. He points out that applying the cream before getting the hands dirty makes cleaning them easier, which means that less powerful cleansing products can be used. It is important to mention that this single experiment corresponds only partially to reality, when repeated harsh treatment of the skin has a cumulative effect (cf. Course, page 9 onwards). Improvement in the condition of the hands through the application of creams is only noticeable if the creams are used regularly, every day, at work. This simple preventive measure is not essential for every individual, all through the year and in every situation, but it is particularly useful when the threat to the skin is significant, repeated, during the winter, in the case of people who have sensitive or damaged skin. Note for professions which are regarded as clean, but where the hands come into contact with liquids : the soiling agent of the Test Kit can be used to illustrate the effects of frequent exposure, during the course of the working day, to water, industrial and household cleaners, disinfectants and so on.
Test Kit A 4 5 6
Test Kit B 4 5
Test Kit Sugar lump test This kit is intended for teachers, trainers, security chiefs, hygienists, chemists and workplace doctors. This experiment shows the protective effect of barrier creams in contact with the most common solvent of all, water. Equipment required : - two glasses - water - two sugar lumps - barrier cream for the hands Method, see video :. Fill the two glasses with water,. Carefully coat one of the two sugar lumps with the cream on all its sides. The other sugar lump is left uncoated,. Place the sugar lumps in separate glasses and show them to the audience, 4. Observe that the uncoated sugar lump dissolves much more quickly than the one coated with the cream. Comment on the real protective power of barrier creams, which are often regarded as having only a cosmetic effect. Remind the audience that the best results are achieved with daily use : - when the cream is applied carefully on every part of the hands, without forgetting around the nails, between the fingers and all around the wrists (cf. Course, page ), - when the hands are treated BEFORE work, and not just afterwards (cf. Course, page ), - when the application is repeated several times during the day, especially in the case of activities when bare hands are in contact with water and cleaning products, in professions such as the food industry, hairdressing, cleaning and medical and paramedical settings (cf. Course, page ), - when the hands are already dry and roughened, or when the person concerned has a sensitive skin or suffered from eczema as a child, which predisposes the individual to dermatitis. Then, you can also carry out the following demonstrations : - Expanded polystyrene test - washing test
Test Kit
Test Kit Expanded polystyrene test This experiment demonstrates the protective effect of barrier creams in contact with acetone, an apparently harmless solvent which can however penetrate deeply beneath the skin. Equipment required : - a piece of expanded polystyrene - acetone, obtainable from a pharmacy in a bottle with pipette stopper - hand cream Method :. Coat part of the surface of the polystyrene with the cream, leaving the rest untouched,. Disperse drops of acetone equally on the two surfaces and immediately draw attention to the effect,. Emphasise, once again, the real protective effect of barrier creams. Remind the audience that barrier creams do not replace the wearing of gloves (cf. Course, page 0)! This experiment also demonstrates that substances which look like water can penetrate deeply beneath the skin and can be seriously toxic. This is especially the case with pesticides sprayed on to crops or the solvents in some paints which are toxic when inhaled or when they penetrate the skin. In these situations, complete protection by means of a waterproof cagoule and respiratory protection is essential. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Additional polystyrene test One can obtain the same results when using less toxic, or even non-toxic, products. This can be demonstrated by testing expanded polystyrene with a nail-polish remover which does not contain acetone. Equipment required : - same items as for the polystyrene test, as above - bottle of acetone-free nail-polish remover - nail polish - cotton wool make-up remover pads Method :. Coat two nails with nail-polish, and allow to dry,. Clean one nail with acetone, and the other with the acetone-free remover,. Carry out the test of the polystyrene with the acetone-free remover on a surface of the polystyrene which has not been coated with cream. It is evident that the polystyrene dissolves less than with the acetone, 4. Point out that the acetone-free remover cleans the nails as effectively as acetone, but is less harmful. Emphasise that everyone should try to replace toxic products with products which are non-toxic or less toxic for humanity and the environment, whenever this is possible.
Test Kit