Hand Sanitizers : A risk in hot car

Ever since the breakout of the Coronavirus, hand sanitizers have become a precious part of our daily regime. Alcohol-hand sanitizers are being available in the medical shops and people are stocking up again.

With the rising temperature in the city, keeping sanitizers in hot vehicles can be risky. The sanitizer which kills the SARS-CoV2 has 60% alcohol content as per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This makes it flammable. In hot weathers, when it is exposed to sun, it can cause a magnification of the light through the bottle and if it is kept near an open flame, it can lead to a disaster.

The alcohol content in a sanitizer usually varies as it depends on the amount of ethanol content in it. If ethanol in enough quantity evaporates, it drops the concentration levels and becomes ineffective.

If the outside temperature is 35 degrees Celsius the temperature inside the car quickly rises to 46 degree Celsius in an hour. Store the hand sanitizer in a cool and dry place, away from sunlight, preferably in your glove compartment. If you want it to be accessible all the time then keep it in your pocket, purse or backpack as it will be more convenient. Hence hand-sanitizers should be stored safely so that it does not catch fire and melt in the car.

Also, keep a check on the expiration date of your sanitizers as FDA does not have data for stability and effectiveness after its expiry date.