Composition of alcohol-based formulations for in-house/local production
The choice of components for WHO handrubs takes into account both cost constraints and microbiological efficacy. The procurement of raw ingredients will be influenced by the availability of sub-standard materials on the market and it is important to select local sources with care.
The following two alcohol-based handrub formulations are recommended for preparation in-house or in a local production facility, up to a maximum of 50 litres:
Formulation 1
To produce final concentrations of ethanol 80% v/v, glycerol 1.45% v/v, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) 0.125% v/v.
Formulation 2
To produce final concentrations of isopropyl alcohol 75% v/v, glycerol 1.45% v/v, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) 0.125% v/v: Only pharmacopoeial quality reagents should be used (e.g. The International Pharmacopoeia) and not technical grade products
This is an open access protocol distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited
10-litre glass or plastic bottles with screw-threaded stoppers, or
50-litre plastic tanks (preferably in polypropylene or high density polyethylene, translucent so as to see the liquid level), or
Stainless steel tanks with a capacity of 80–100 litres (for mixing without overflowing)
Wooden, plastic or metal paddles for mixing
Measuring cylinders and measuring jugs
Plastic or metal funnel
100 ml plastic bottles with leak-proof tops
500 ml glass or plastic bottles with screw tops
An alcoholometer: the temperature scale is at the bottom and the ethanol concentration (percentage v/v) at the top
Glycerol: used as humectant, but other emollients may be used for skin care, provided that they are cheap, widely available and miscible in water and alcohol and do not add to toxicity, or promote allergy.
Hydrogen peroxide: used to inactivate contaminating bacterial spores in the solution and is not an active substance for hand antisepsis.
Any further additive to both formulations should be clearly labelled and be non-toxic in case of accidental ingestion.
A colorant may be added to allow differentiation from other fluids, but should not add to toxicity, promote allergy, or interfere with antimicrobial properties. The addition of perfumes or dyes is not recommended due to risk of allergic reactions.
1
Method for 10 L preparations
These can be prepared in 10-liter glass or plastic bottles with screw-threaded stoppers.
Step 1 includes a Step case.
FORMULATION 1
FORMULATION 2
step case
FORMULATION 1
Alcohol: Ethanol 96%
2
Pour 8333 mL Ethanol 96% into the large bottle or tank up to the graduated mark.
3
Add 417 mL Hydrogen peroxide 3% using the measuring cylinder.
4
Add 145 mL Glycerol using a measuring cylinder.
As glycerol is very viscous and sticks to the wall of the measuring cylinder, it should be rinsed with some sterile distilled or cold boiled water and then emptied into the bottle/tank.
5
Top the bottle/tank up to the 10-liter mark with sterile distilled or cold boiled water.
6
Place the lid or the screw cap on the tank/bottle as soon as possible after preparation, in order to prevent evaporation.
7
Mix the solution by shaking gently where appropriate or by using a paddle.
8
Immediately divide up the solution into its final containers.
E.g. 500 or 100 ml plastic bottles.
9
Place the bottles in quarantine for 72:00:00 before use.
This allows time for any spores present in the alcohol or the new/re-used bottles to be destroyed.
This is an open access protocol distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited