Mangaluru: There has been a demand for sanitizers across the globe and this has caused a scarcity of sanitizers in the market over the last month. Many sanitizer brands have appeared overnight which are expensive with their efficiency yet to be tested.
Sanitizers should effectively destroy bacteria and viruses including their spores. As per WHO, sanitizer must be composed of at least 70% of ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol or a mixture of both.
As there is an acute shortage of sanitizers, Dr. Arun Isloor, professor and head department of chemistry NIT-K Surathkal along with his Ph.D. scholars Syed Ibrahim and Harsha have developed a personal hand sanitizer, which will be distributed from NITK as part of its community and social service activities.
As part of community service from NITK, a first batch has been released by Prof Uma Maheshwar Rao Director of NITK and Neeraja Rao, Principal Kendriya Vidyalaya No 2, Mangalore. As part of the first phase, about 390 bottles (each about 70 ml) were distributed to security personnel of NITK, Surathkal police station, and the staff of State Bank of India NITK and dispensary.
This activity was supported by the team comprising of dean’s Prof. M.S. Bhat, Prof Sripathi Acharya, Prof Subhas Yaragal, Deputy Registrar Shri Ram Mohan, Registrar Shri Ravindranath and Prof Muralidhar Kulkarni. In the Second phase distribution will be done for press and media personnel, police commissioner’s office, petrol bunks along NH 66.
Dr. Isloor followed the composition suggested by the World Health Organization. According to which, more than 70% Isopropyl alcohol, 20% distilled water, 1 % hydrogen peroxide, gelatinous agent, fragrance, 2% glycerol. With the available raw maternal Dr. Isloor is confident of making around 1000 bottles. He is expecting additional raw material from nearby industries. In such a case, he is ready to extend his services for the distribution of sanitizer to all the health workers of Mangalore district who are working round the clock to fight against covid19, he said.
