(English translation)
80-proof alcohol is only equal to 40% alcohol
A minimum of 60% alcohol is needed for antibacterial effect
News articles appearing on March 16, 2020, reported that lambanog, which is about 80-proof alcohol, can be used as an alternative for rubbing alcohol as disinfectant.
The ICP wishes to advise the public that this claim is based on incorrect information.
- 80-proof alcohol is equivalent to only about 40% ethanol
- A minimum of 60% ethanol is needed for an antibacterial effect
- Therefore, 80-proof lambanog should NOT be used as an antibacterial product
(Pagsasalin sa Filipino)
Ang 80-proof alkohol ay katumbas lamang ng 40% alkohol
Kinakailangang 60% o higit pa ang alkohol na sangkap upang makapuksa ng mga mikrobyo
May mga balitang lumabas noong ika-16 ng Marso na inuulat na ang lambanog, na gawa sa 80-proof na alkohol, ay maaaring gawing alternatibo sa rubbing alcohol bilang panlinis ng mga bagay-bagay.
Nais ipabatid ng ICP sa madla na ang balitang ito ay base sa maling impormasyon:
- Ang 80-proof alkohol ay katumbas lamang ng 40% alkohol;
- Kinakailangang 60% o higit pa ang alkohol na sangkap upang makapuksa ng mga mikrobyo;
- Sumakatuwid, ang lambanog na 80-proof ay HINDI MAAARING gawing panlinis ng mga bagay-bagay.
Reference / Sanggunian: Reynolds, Levy and Walker. Emerging Infectious Diseases Vol. 12, No. 3, March 2006. Downloaded from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3291447/pdf/05-0955.pdf