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Ethanol and 2-propanol (hereafter abbreviated "IPA") are the two alcohols that are used in hand-sanitizers. As per the standards set by WHO, the recommended levels are 80% (v/v) of ethanol and 75% (v/v) for IPA, along with other components like glycerol and hydrogen peroxide. Refer to the https://www.who.int/gpsc/5may/Guide_to_Local_Production.pdf for details (a pdf file). A snapshot:
None of the handrubs I have seen has the above composition. The ones that are preferred by hospitals have 70% (v/v) ethanol and 2.5% (v/v) chlorhexidine gluconate IP; these are not generally available in pharmacies for the common people.
Sanitizers produced by another famed brand has 72.43% (v/v) alcohol IP (denatured). My knowledge in chemistry is quite limited, but I thought denatured alcohol is poisonous; no idea how they are putting it in a sanitizer.
Question: Are these sanitizers with a lower percentage of alcohol effective against the SARS-CoV-2?
One website says that even 60% (v/v) of either of the two alcohols will work, but it did not site any sources and hence lacks credibility.
None of the handrubs I have seen has the above composition. The ones that are preferred by hospitals have 70% (v/v) ethanol and 2.5% (v/v) chlorhexidine gluconate IP; these are not generally available in pharmacies for the common people.
Sanitizers produced by another famed brand has 72.43% (v/v) alcohol IP (denatured). My knowledge in chemistry is quite limited, but I thought denatured alcohol is poisonous; no idea how they are putting it in a sanitizer.
Question: Are these sanitizers with a lower percentage of alcohol effective against the SARS-CoV-2?
One website says that even 60% (v/v) of either of the two alcohols will work, but it did not site any sources and hence lacks credibility.
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