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THE DILEMMA OF SANITIZERS 


So the Indian Industry. much like everyone was rocked by Covid-19, in ways more than imaginable. 

To top it all, there was a sudden rush (and push) to manufacture sanitizers to meet (and handle) the massive demand of the time. 

The government and local bodies (supported by the government) were so fast footed to distribute licenses for storing Class A flammables and Indian FMCG were equally eager to showcase (and profit from) their low cost manufacturing capabilities at large scale and readily accessible large distribution networks across the country.

In the midst of it all, everyone forgot to give the necessary due diligence to transport, handling and storage of raw material used in sanitizers - 99% PURE ALCOHOLS with extremely low flash points, minimum ignition energy, extremely low tolerance to static discharges, high range of flammability and explosivity, potential of creating large fires, etc. 

Ethanol and chemicals (solvents) alike carry huge risks with them that have gone unnoticed and companies are still struggling with remaining storages of ethanol alongside their usually less hazardous chemicals used in beauty, cosmetics and consumables with lack of safety infrastructure to support storages and emergencies related to ethanol, mostly unaware or ignorant of the damage potential of such chemicals. 

However right the intentions of governments, a large blame lies on the it to allow such large scale unmanaged, unchecked distribution of such chemicals and now ignorance of the current condition of inventory in many (licensed) facilities. 

Many of these facilities are holding tonnes of inventory in low to No ventilation provisioned rooms, with no or inadequate fire/vapor detection and even segregation of hazardous storages from normal operations. 

Are we waiting for an accident? I guess we are. Can this be avoided? Surely. But who will?   

  

 

 



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