Hand sanitizer shortages are being addressed locally.
The county is now working with MurLarkey Distillery in Bristow to manufacture hand sanitizer. It will be distributed to first responders and those who work in the healthcare field, according to a release from Prince William.
MurLarkey Distillery is able to manufacture hand sanitizer with guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO), which has allowed MurLarkey Distillery to use their recipe and waived the licensing fee.
The Prince William County Service Authority (PWCSA) also provided the distillery with the initial supply of hydrogen peroxide necessary for the formulas.
Distillery employees came up with the production idea and reached out to Prince William County, according to MurLarkey President and Co-Founder Mike Larkin.
“We’re making ethanol, and 80 percent of hand sanitizer is ethanol. We knew we could do it. We’re doing everything in our power and the government’s been very helpful in helping us source the things we need,” Larkin explained in a release.
There have been some hurdles — like lack of ingredients and bottles — but they have been overcome and 250 gallons of hand sanitizer are being produced, according to Prince William County Emergency Management Coordinator Brian Misner.
“This is a great example of the whole community coming together to find a solution to a critical unmet need, these local partnerships are critical to the County’s response to – and recovery from – this unprecedented national emergency in the weeks and months ahead,” Misner said in a release.
This article was written by Staff Writer Matthew Martino.
