University of Georgia campus in Athens, Georgia


University of Georgia researchers have developed a new hand sanitizer they claim protects users for longer despite the absence of alcohol. 

NORel leverages nitric oxide to kill more than 97 percent of bacteria of fungi, including antibiotic-resistant strains, reports WSB-TV 2. The researchers say NORel is effective for up to two hours after application, which is considerably longer than the 30 to 60 minutes of protection that traditional hand sanitizers provide. The length of NORel’s protection is what excites researchers the most. 

The researchers, who are associated with the UGA College of Engineering, say NORel could be particularly impactful in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities — all of which are at higher risk of contamination and grave impact on visitors. 

NORel’s ingredients include ethanol, teat tree oil and glycerin, giving it both antimicrobial and moisturizing capabilities.  

Research of NORel was backed by the National Institutes of Health’s National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.