United States Department of Agriculture

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Biobased Hand Sanitizers and Disinfectants

Look for biobased disinfectants and hand sanitizer options in the BioPreferred Catalog.

According to the Centers for Disease Control recommendations, alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) is a simple yet effective way to prevent the spread of pathogens. Hand sanitizers reduce levels of microorganisms by killing them chemically while disinfectants kill germs on environmental surfaces. Isopropyl alcohol, a common ingredient in hand sanitizers and disinfectants is petroleum-based. Ethyl alcohol (ethanol) based disinfectants and hand-sanitizers are derived from agricultural materials such as corn and sugarcane. Isopropyl and ethyl alcohol perform essentially the same function. Biobased hand sanitizer options include foam, gel, or liquid formulas. Biobased disinfectant options include sprays, mists, and wipes.