(English Translation)

Over the past few days, a number of YouTube and Facebook posts have appeared proposing the use of various distilled alcoholic products (such as lambanog, rhum, vodka) with bleach (made of hypochlorite) as hand sanitizer. The Integrated Chemists of the Philippines (ICP) wishes to inform the public that such alcoholic products contain only about 40% alcohol and lack the concentration needed for a hand sanitizer. In addition, hypochlorite can cause skin irritation and inflammation.

Such products which are below the required 70% alcohol concentration should NOT BE USED as hand sanitizer. The preparation of hand sanitizers using bleach or hypochlorite should be done by trained professionals, such as chemists, pharmacists, chemical engineers, or medical technologists.

(Pagsasalin sa Filipino)

Nitong nakaraang mga araw, may naglipanang mga video sa Youtube at Facebook na naglalahad kung paano gamitin ang ilang mga produktong naglalaman ng alkohol (tulad ng lambanog, rhum, at vodka) at hinahaluan ng bleach (na gawa sa hypochlorite) upang maging hand sanitizer. Nais ipabatid ng ICP na ang mga nabanggit na produktong naglalaman ng alkohol ay kinasasangkapan ng 40% na alkohol lamang, na sadyang mahina upang gawing hand sanitizer. Ang hypochlorite naman ay nagdudulot ng pangangati at pamamaga ng balat.

Ang mga produktong may mas mababa sa 70% na sangkap na alkohol ay HINDI MAAARING GAMITIN bilang hand sanitizer. Samantala, ang pagtitimpla ng mga hand sanitizer gamit ang bleach o hypochlorite ay maaari lamang gawin ng mga tao na may sapat na pagsasanay tulad ng mga chemist, pharmacist, chemical engineer, o medical technologist.

(English Translation)

Official Statement of the ICP Regarding Viral "Do-It-Yourself" Disinfectants on Social Media

Over the past few days, some proposals have appeared on social media suggesting ways by which people can prepare their own hand disinfectant solutions using industrial chemicals, such as denatured alcohol, hypochlorite, and others.

The Integrated Chemists of the Philippines (ICP) discourages such practices because these can cause harm and may not be suitable for the intended use.

• Industrial chemicals are often very concentrated and require professional handling with personal protective equipment.

• Industrial chemicals are not meant for human use and may contain impurities which are harmful or carcinogenic.

(Pagsasalin sa Filipino)

Opisyal na Pahayag ng ICP Hinggil sa Kumakalat na "Do-It-Yourself" na mga Panlinis sa Social Media

Nitong nakaraang mga araw, lumabas ang ilang mga post sa social media na naglalahad kung paano magtimpla ang isang tao ng kani-kanilang mga disinfectant solution na ginagamitan ng mga kemikal na nakalaan lamang sa industriya, tulad ng denatured alcohol, hypochlorite, at iba pa.

Hindi hinihikayat ng Integrated Chemists of the Philippines (ICP) ang mga naturang panukala dahil maaari pa itong makasama sa kalusugan ng sinumang gagamit nito at maaaring hindi rin ito angkop para sa sinasabing paggagamitan.

• Ang mga kemikal na pang-industriya ay kalimitang sobrang matapang at kinakailangang bihasa ang tao na gagamit nito na may sapat na pananggalang.

• Ang mga kemikal na pang-industriya ay hindi nakalaan para gamitin sa tao, at maaari pang may nilalamang makapipinsala ng katawan o maging sanhi ng malubhang karamdaman tulad ng kanser.

(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