In Greece, fake booze is being repurposed as hand sanitiser

The authorities in Greece have said they plan to convert tonnes of ethanol seized from criminals making illicit alcohol into hand sanitiser to fight the coronavirus epidemic.

The New York Times reports that around 155 tonnes of ethanol are being stored in customs warehouse across Greece, and the government is now seeking industrial partners to convert into sanitiser products.

The seizure of alcohol in such high quantities is an opportune event, as antiseptic gel products and just about any other type of hand sanitiser are in short supply around the world, even though the preferred method to combat COVID-19 is to wash hands whenever possible rather than use an antiseptic.

Products made with 60% or higher alcohol by volume have activity against viruses, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

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