A system and method for monitoring an individual's hand hygiene comprising: a hand washing substance comprising a chemical odor marker, said odor marker comprising a detectable odor marker vapor; a detector for detecting said odor marker vapor emanating from an individual's hand containing said hand washing substance wherein said hand is placed proximate said detector without said hand physically touching said detector, said detector comprising a sensor and one or more indicators in operable communication with said sensor, said detector generating a signal based on the results of said detection; and a card reader or ID sensor to identify the individual.