Failure Analysis of Hand Sanitizing Wipe Packaging by Pyrolysis-GC-MS

Abstract

This application note investigates the difference on packaging between normal and inferior hand sanitizing wipes using EGA and multi-step pyrolysis GC-MS techniques.

Introduction

In 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus a pandemic. Since then, there has been unprecedented demand for disinfecting products including hand disinfecting wipes that outpaced the maximum manufacturing capacity by reputable suppliers. This global shortage created an opportunity for the inferior and even counterfeit product to enter the market. One of the noticeable differences between the normal and inferior products is the packaging. Normal individually wrapped wipe has a packaging that contains multiple layers, where the center layer is designed to withstand ingredients and chemical solutions, and the outer layer is suitable for ink-labeling. As a comparison, the packaging of an inferior product could have smudged labeling due to the moisture and chemical which has leaked from inside the packaging. This leak is often caused by quality issue from the center layer. Pyroprobe 6150 is a perfect tool to study the root cause of such packaging failure.