RAJKOT: Alcohol-based hand sanitizers (ABHS)a re flying off the shelves due to the Covid-19
pandemic, but experts have often cautioned against its improper and excessive use that may cause health hazards.
However, those allergic to ABHS will soon have an option of disinfecting their hands with sanitizer made from
water. The Bhavnagar-based Central Salt And Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSMCRI) has developed an alcohol-free water-based sanitizer which can kill not just
Covid-19 virus but nine other dangerous pathogens.
The aqueous non-toxic sanitizer’s efficacy and safety have been certified by Faridabad-based Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), an autonomous laboratory under the central government’s department of bio-technology.
In fact, this sanitizer will soon be available in the market with CSMCRI signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for transfer of technology with two start-ups, one based in Bhavnagar and other in West Bengal. CSMCRI works under the reputed
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
Dr Kannan Srinivasan, director, CSMCRI, said, “Alcohol-based sanitizers are class 1 inflammable liquids and studies have shown that their improper and excessive use may cause several problems such as ocular irritation, vomiting, oral irritation, cough, abdominal pain, acidosis, respiratory distress, headache and others. Moreover, there is a risk of blaze if the user is closely exposed to fire.”
“It was a challenge for scientists to develop aqueous, non-toxic and safe water based
hand sanitizer formulation with 100% efficiency against
coronavirus,” Srinivasan said.
Senior scientist Sanjay Pratihar explained: “This sanitizer has been made using stable biomolecule capped aqueous silver nanoparticles with inorganic emulsifying agents and surfactants. The nano silver plays an important role in paralyzing pathogens before they become active.
CSMCRI says this is probably the first such water-based hand sanitizer made in India. Sumit Pramanik, another scientist who played an important role in this invention, said ABHS are composed of alcohols like ethanol and isopropyl solely or with additives such as oxidants, colorants, stabilizers, fragrance, antimicrobial agents, moisturizer and sometimes preservatives.
Syed Zaidi, director, business development of Bhavnagar start-up told TOI: “We have applied for a license to start manufacturing and once granted, we can make 500 litres per day.”