Sharpies Are Reusable For Marking Surgery Sites

Here's something different, X marks the spot: Sharpies get thumbs-up for marking surgery sites.

"It's standard practice for the surgeon or their designate, (in consultation with the patient when possible), to mark the operative/invasive site using a marking pen before an operation, a precaution to ensure surgeons cut the correct spot. But there was concern that germs would be spread from one patient to the next, so it has also become common procedure to throw away the marker each time, costing thousands of dollars a year."

"After recapping the markers and letting them sit for 24 hours, Burton and Forgie found that the sterile, one-use marker, which has a non-alcohol-base ink, was still contaminated. But the Sharpies® were not."

It turns out the Sharpies' ink has an alcohol base that probably keeps it sterile.