Study shows alcohol-free hand sanitiser may also be effective

Efficacy is comparable to alcohol-based sanitiser

After treating samples of the coronavirus with benzalkonium chloride, researchers from Brigham Young University have discovered that it is just as effective at removing Covid-19 virus from surfaces as alcohol based products. In most cases, the compounds wiped out at least 99.9% of the virus within 15 seconds.

Benzalkonium chloride can be used in much lower concentrations and does not cause the ‘burn’ feeling caused by using alcohol hand sanitiser. The study was published online in the Journal of Hospital Infection. However, no leading public health body has recommended or permitted nonalcohol based sanitisers yet.