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From Newsday

TRAVEL GEAR

Clean touch: Handler

Ronnie Gill
March 23, 2008
The Handler

The Handler

HOW MUCH: $10.95.

DOES IT WORK? We wondered about the germs we would come in contact with handling the Handler, until we discovered that the device's components contain silver nanoparticles, which kill microorganisms and make Handler self-sanitizing. The manufacturer claims the particles kill 98 percent of all single-celled bacteria, viruses and fungi on contact and 99 percent within two minutes.

Small and relatively lightweight, Handler can be hung from a key chain. Pressing a small button releases its "claw," which easily catches many types of handles. The tip of the claw can be used to press keypads.

Handler doesn't work on round knobs, nor will it help if the door is meant to be pushed in. Opening even cabinet doors took more effort than usual. And we couldn't help wonder what diseases that resistant 1 percent of microbes caused.

Handler is available online at handlerusa.com, amazon.com and select Bed Bath & Beyond and Duane Reade stores.


WHAT: Handler, a handheld anti- microbial device that allows users to avoid direct contact with surfaces prone to disease transmission, such as door and toilet handles, ATM and phone keypads, faucets and elevator buttons.

HOW MUCH: $10.95.

DOES IT WORK? We wondered about the germs we would come in contact with handling the Handler, until we discovered that the device's components contain silver nanoparticles, which kill microorganisms and make Handler self-sanitizing. The manufacturer claims the particles kill 98 percent of all single-celled bacteria, viruses and fungi on contact and 99 percent within two minutes.

Small and relatively lightweight, Handler can be hung from a key chain. Pressing a small button releases its "claw," which easily catches many types of handles. The tip of the claw can be used to press keypads.

Handler doesn't work on round knobs, nor will it help if the door is meant to be pushed in. Opening even cabinet doors took more effort than usual. And we couldn't help wonder what diseases that resistant 1 percent of microbes caused.

Handler is available online at handlerusa .com, amazon.com and select Bed Bath & Beyond and Duane Reade stores.

Copyright © 2008, Newsday Inc.

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