Media report Chemical and Biomedical Engineering department helping make hand sanitizer

Maine Public reported the Chemical and Biomedical Engineering department at the University of Maine is helping produce hand sanitizer during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly 20 Maine breweries and distilleries are distilling ethanol, which is approved for use in hand sanitizer by the Food and Drug Administration, from beer. UMaine then adds glycerol, hydrogen peroxide and distilled water to the ethanol. Pilot batches of the sanitizer have been distributed to medical centers in the state, according to University of Maine System spokesperson Dan Demeritt. The Bangor Daily News, Penobscot Bay Pilot and WVII (Channel 7) also reported on UMaine’s role in producing hand sanitizer. The BDN also carried the Maine Public story.