 The WHO (World Health Organization) recommends hand washing with ash if soap is not available in critical situations, schools without access to soap and other difficult situations like post-emergencies where use of (clean) sand is recommended, too.Use of ash is common in rural areas of developing countries and has in experiments been shown at least as effective as soap for removing pathogens.Correct respiratory and hand hygiene when coughing and sneezing reduces the spread of pathogens particularly during the cold and flu season.