New nitric oxide-based sanitizer protects your hands for longer
A team at the University of Georgia has created NORel, a new hand sanitizer gel that kills over 97% of bacteria and fungi—including some tough, antibiotic-resistant strains.
Unlike regular alcohol-based sanitizers that stop working after about an hour, NORel keeps protecting your hands for up to two hours and even helps moisturize skin.
NORel blends nitric oxide with ethanol, tea tree oil
NORel blends nitric oxide with ethanol, tea tree oil, and glycerin.
In lab tests on rabbit skin, it wiped out microbes like Staphylococcus aureus as effectively as standard alcohol gels at first—but kept working long after alcohol gels wore off.
Researchers are also testing how well NORel works against viruses
Longer-lasting protection means you don't have to reapply as often, which may help reduce skin irritation and make it easier for healthcare workers (and everyone else) to stay protected.
Researchers are also testing how well NORel works against viruses and are working to improve its shelf-life for broader use.