The analysis of alcohol content in hand sanitisers (in the Durban region) using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry during the COVID-19 pandemic
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Date
2021-12-01
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Publisher
Sabinet
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an unprecedented surge in the demand for alcohol-based hand sanitisers (ABHS). The Centre for
Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organisation (WHO) recommend alcohol, i.e., isopropanol or ethanol, at a 60-95% concentration
in ABHS for sufficient antiviral protection. Consumers need to be vigilant of substandard hand sanitisers being marketed to the public.
The frequent exposure of microorganisms to alcohol concentrations below the recommended range for infection prevention may lead
to resistant mutations, and above the range may be ineffective. Therefore, this study aimed to verify the stated alcohol content in hand
sanitisers from their respective labels. We analysed 50 hand sanitiser samples available to our region in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South
Africa, using a Shimadzu GC-MS-QP2010 Ultra equipped with a Zebron ZB-wax capillary column. The hand sanitisers analysed had a
range of 44–93% alcohol content. The data from our study also revealed that 32% (16) of hand sanitisers did not adhere to the stated alcohol
indicated on their labels. 16% (8) contained >80% and 12% (6) contained <60%, while 6% (3) of the ABHS contained 1-propanol and ethyl
acetate as contaminants, respectively. This study clearly emphasises manufacturers’ exploitation of the pandemic and the need for stricter
guidelines and regulations for consistency amongst ABHS manufacturers. The public should also be more alert to the % alcohol stated (ideal
range 60-80%) on the sanitizer bottle and note one needs to rub their hands together until it feels dry.
Description
The analysis of alcohol content in hand sanitisers (in the Durban region) using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry during the COVID-19 pandemic
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Citation
Govender, K.( 1 ) et al. (2022) ‘The analysis of alcohol content in hand sanitisers (in the Durban region) using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry during the COVID-19 pandemic’, South African Journal of Chemistry, 76, pp. 20-24–24. doi:10.17159/0379-4350/2022/V76A04.