3. Which is better in killing germs? 70%alcohol or 90% alcohol?

(Elaborate your answer

in no more than 200 words)

Alcohols evaporate much quicker than water, making it impossible to expose a

surface to prolonged contact period due to their quick drying phases or volatility.
However, mixing water with alcohol reduces the evaporation process, causing it to
remain on the surface for longer, improving the contact time and efficacy of killing
germs. Water serves as a catalyst that aids in the killing of germs by denaturing the
proteins in vegetative cell membranes. However, research shows that diluting alcohol
with purified water below 50% reduces the effectiveness of the solution. Because the
optimal concentration is between 60% to 90%, that’s why 70% alcohol is more
effective or better in killing germs as it falls within the optimal concentration range .
Generally, 70% alcohol diluted with 30% water are commonly used and considered
more effective or better in killing germs. Higher concentrations of alcohol are in fact
less effective at killing bacteria.