ICAR-CCARI, Old Goa, Goa prepares the hand sanitizer as per the World Health Organization guidelines for use as a preventive measure against Covid-19

Washing hands with soap and the use of hand sanitizer are some of the important measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. A team of scientists and technical officer of ICAR-Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute, Old Goa has prepared a ‘hand sanitizer’ as per the guidelines for ‘Local production of WHO recommended hand rub formulation’ at the Institute laboratory. As per the Guidelines, hand sanitizer is prepared using the chemical ingredients – ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol, hydrogen peroxide and glycerol in a prescribed proportion. The team has also prepared hand sanitizer by using virgin coconut oil in place of glycerol as per the method prescribed by ICAR- Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Kasargod, Kerala. The virgin coconut oil used is produced at the Virgin Coconut Oil Production Unit of the Institute. The Institute-made hand sanitizer is being used by the staff regularly as an important preventive measure against COVID-19.