Isopropyl alcohol shortages bemoaned

[Rimmer]

Isopropyl alcohol shortages bemoaned

 

PATTAYA:--Operators of nail salons and tattoo parlors are complaining that hoarding of isopropyl alcohol has resulted in shortages and price gouging for products they need as part of their work.

 

The rubbing alcohol used to sterilize hands and tattooed skin is also the key component in hand sanitizer, which is in critical demand now during the coronavirus crisis.

 

Operators complained that the once readily available product is now being sold in tiny bottles priced three times normal. They demanded to know what Pattaya, Chonburi or the national government is going to do.

 

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha earlier said pandemic-related products like face masks, hand sanitizing gel and isopropyl alcohol will be urgently produced and sourced domestically and internationally. But shortages remain, with masks virtually impossible to buy in retail stores. The country also has begun importing more isopropyl alcohol and set up distribution of hand gel at Bang Chak gas stations.

 

-- PATTAYA MAIL 2020-03-23—

https://www.pattayamail.com/news/isopropyl-alcohol-shortages-bemoaned-292247

[Peterw42]

Why would nail and tattoo shops need Isopropyl alcohol, THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE SHUT !!!

Edited March 23, 2020 by Peterw42

[YTP]

Cripes talk about non-essential services.

[graemeaylward]

This is a NON story as all tatoo and nail parlours should be shut for the duration!

 

[CGW]

I just read an article about hand washing, was surprised that "normal" soap is actually the most effective:_

 

Soap Mechanics 101

A soap molecule is suited for mixing oil and water as it shares qualities of each. Soap molecules are amphipathic,11 meaning they have both polar and nonpolar properties, giving them the ability to dissolve most kinds of molecules.

As noted by Thordarson, the amphiphiles (fat-like substances) in soap are "structurally very similar to the lipids in the virus membrane," so "soap molecules 'compete' with the lipids in the virus membrane." In short, the soap dissolves the "glue" that holds the virus together.

The alkalinity of soap also creates an electric charge that makes the soap hydrophilic (water-loving).12 Hydrogen atoms in water molecules have a slightly positive charge, so when you wet your hands and then use soap, this molecule will readily bond with the nearest water molecule. Hence, when you wash your hands under running water, the now deconstructed virus is easily washed away. The New York Times explains the process this way:13

"When you wash your hands with soap and water, you surround any microorganisms on your skin with soap molecules.

The hydrophobic tails of the free-floating soap molecules attempt to evade water; in the process, they wedge themselves into the lipid envelopes of certain microbes and viruses, prying them apart.

'They act like crowbars and destabilize the whole system,' said Prof. Pall Thordarson, acting head of chemistry at the University of New South Wales. Essential proteins spill from the ruptured membranes into the surrounding water, killing the bacteria and rendering the viruses useless."

Using Alcohol-Based Disinfectants

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends washing your hands with soap and water. Only when soap and water are unavailable are alcohol-based hand sanitizers recommended. As noted on the CDC website:14

"Many studies have found that sanitizers with an alcohol concentration between 60–95% are more effective at killing germs than those with a lower alcohol concentration or non-alcohol-based hand sanitizers.

Hand sanitizers without 60-95% alcohol 1) may not work equally well for many types of germs; and 2) merely reduce the growth of germs rather than kill them outright.

When using hand sanitizer, apply the product to the palm of one hand (read the label to learn the correct amount) and rub the product all over the surfaces of your hands until your hands are dry."

As noted by Thordarson, the drawback of ethanol and other alcohols is that they cannot dissolve the lipid membrane holding the virus together. This is precisely why soap and water works best.

[lemonjelly]

Ethyl alcohol is the most common ingredient used for hand sanitizer. It’s the same stuff added to gasoline (petrol) so surely there must be millions of gallons being stored at refineries, (in Thailand?)... shocking that there’s a shortage 

[Venom]

Nope rubbing alcohol is no longer available in Thailand. Just like with the masks, hording and trying to make a killing by price gouging seems to be the first thought that pops into their greedy little minds. ????????????

[atyclb]

every time (pre-corona) i looked for isopropyl alcohol all i found was ethyl and was told thailand switched to ethyly

[Orton Rd]

Is Lazada telling lies?

 

https://www.lazada.co.th/catalog/?spm=a2o4m.home.search.1.1125719c0fdFxj&q=isopropyl alcohol&_keyori=ss&clickTrackInfo=textId--2487757942583254083__abId--154857__pvid--e60fe2f5-803e-4241-8b64-ab9e8558cd73&from=suggest_normal&sugg=isopropyl alcohol_0_1

[atyclb]

57 minutes ago, Orton Rd said:

Is Lazada telling lies?

 

https://www.lazada.co.th/catalog/?spm=a2o4m.home.search.1.1125719c0fdFxj&q=isopropyl alcohol&_keyori=ss&clickTrackInfo=textId--2487757942583254083__abId--154857__pvid--e60fe2f5-803e-4241-8b64-ab9e8558cd73&from=suggest_normal&sugg=isopropyl alcohol_0_1

 

 

great post and find. the prep pads have been isopropyl.  i just looked in pharmacies and other b and m places.

 

heres a funny isopropyl from lazada will get the beer connoisseurs attention

 

 

[Orton Rd]

You can only order before 2 PM and after 5PM ????

[finnishmen]

3 hours ago, Orton Rd said:

You can only order before 2 PM and after 5PM ????

lazada you can orden alltime 24/7 365/1y.

[Basil B]

On 3/23/2020 at 5:48 AM, graemeaylward said:

This is a NON story as all tatoo and nail parlours should be shut for the duration!

 

But this is Thailand where everybody knows the rules are for others...