PU engineers make wipes, sanitiser

LAHORE:Punjab University’s chemical engineers have developed anti-bacterial disposable wipes and sanitizer as per WHO guidelines which would help to protect people from coronavirus.

In this regard, PU Vice-Chancellor Prof Niaz Ahmad addressed a press briefing along with Department of Polymer Engineering and Technology’s associate professors Dr Bilal Haider, Dr Atif Islam, Assistant Professor Dr Areeba Farooq, student volunteers, including Hamza Javed, Rahat Rashid, Hafiz Abdullah, Muhammad Asad and Musa Raza at Institute of Chemical Engineering and Technology (ICET) here Sunday.

Addressing the press briefing, Prof Niaz Ahmad said he had instructed PU’s chemical engineers to serve Pakistani nation at this critical time and develop anti-bacterial sanitizers against coronavirus.

He said people were ignoring so many things which could be a source of spread of coronavirus like mobile phone, purse, key, pen, door handles, stair handles, ATMs, public washrooms etc and we decided to develop anti-bacterial disposable wipes to be used on such things against coronavirus as per WHO standards.

He said we were also worried about TV cameramen who were visiting hospitals and other places for coverage of corona related issues and this disposable wipes could also be carefully used on camera, hand mic and other equipment.

PU VC said all the citizens of Pakistan must act wisely and behave like a responsible citizen to avoid spread of coronavirus. He said Punjab University was playing its role in coping with this challenge and in this regard, PU scientists, faculty members, researchers, professionals and volunteer students were making the all-out effort. He said PU had established diagnostic centres, developed diagnostic kits, antibacterial sanitizers, telemedicine centre and launched awareness campaign and would serve the community by playing its national role.

Briefing the media about anti-bacterial disposable wipes and sanitizer, Dr Bilal, Dr Atif and Dr Areeba explained that WHO recommended ingredients, including ethylalkohol, hydrogen peroxide, glycerin, neem extract, aloe vera extract and fragrance have been used in the sanitizer.

They said the standard agar well method was used against E Coli (MDR) and E Coli (NMDR). They said the material was used by applying hands to check its behaviour and was found soft on skin and not irritating. They said this sanitizer would help to protect people from coronavirus by applying on various surfaces. They appealed to the government to provide basic material so that they could produce disposable wipes and sanitizers at mass level.