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Hand sanitiser havoc
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With the coronavirus outbreak, disinfectant fluids (sanitisers) became prominent among essential items. There is high demand, and vendors have been producing substandard hand sanitisers.
Due to the scare of a widespread Covid-19 outbreak, people tend to use disinfect fluids continuously. Public and private institutions in the Kalutara District had used these disinfectant fluids for a long time.
It was reported that some people who used antiseptic fluids at the entrances and exits of the districts government and private sector, had to receive medical treatment for skin ailments due to various allergies.
Some people who had been affected said the Government should take responsibility for the quality and pricing of hand sanitisers and antiseptic fluids.
Many local companies seized the opportunity to make antiseptic fluids, but some of them made substandard hand sanitisers which caused burns and allergies to the hands.
When producing hand sanitisers, it is required to follow the World Health Organisation’s recommended composition of alcohol-based hand rub for local production, which should include 96% of ethanol.
Many locally produced products were futile and they didn’t help to protect people from the virus, as their alcohol percentage was not sufficient or they were not of a good standard. Pix and story by Thusitha de Silva